Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George W. Viar Papers, Ms1990-036, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The George W. Viar Papers were acquired by Special Collections and University Archives in July 1990.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the George W. Viar Papers commenced and was completed in September, 2022.

Biographical Note

George W. Viar enlisted in Company E, 24th Virginia Infantry at Newbern (Pulaski County), Virginia on February 28, 1862. He was wounded on June 21, 1862, during the Seven Days Battles, and reports show him absent without leave in August. He was detailed as a shoemaker at Dublin Depot, Virginia from January to March 1864, and reported as sick on May 12. Viar was captured at the Battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, and was released from the prison at Point Lookout, Maryland on June 21. No further definitive information could be found, though he may have been the same George W. Viar, son of Robert and Francis Viar, who was born in Floyd County, Virginia in 1837; married Mary Jane Miller in Pulaski County on May 11, 1855; and died in Dyer County, Tennessee in 1890.

Scope and Content

This collection contains three certifications of disability from medical examinations of George W. Viar, a private in Company E, 24th Virginia Infantry during the American Civil War. Written on two sides of the same paper are two reports from regimental surgeon J. M. Estill, at the Camp of Instruction, Dublin, Virginia. In the first of these, written September 24, 1862, Estill writes that Viar suffers from hypertrophy of the liver and ascites and recommends that Viar be detailed in the Quartermaster's Department as a shoemaker. On August 22, 1863, Estill writes that Viar should be discharged. In his certification of October 4, 1863, also written at Dublin, G. Latham reports that Viar suffers from ascites and will be unfit for duty for at least 30 days. Accompanying the certifications is a brief note from a wounded soldier who states that he is forwarding some documents at Viar's request.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the George W. Viar Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).