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 to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John A. Dorroh Letter, Ms1991-069, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John A. Dorroh Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1991.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the John A. Dorroh Letters commenced and was completed in November, 2022.

Biographical Note

John Allen Dorroh, son of David R. and Susan B. Lewers Dorroh, was born in South Carolina on Ocrober 30, 1842. The 1850 federal census lists a seven-year-old John Dorroh living in the Laurens County, South Carolina, home of David and Susan Dorroh. The 1860 census lists John Dorroh, 17, as a farmer, living with several other young Dorroh men in a home next to Susan Dorroh, presumably his widowed mother, in Laurens County, South Carolina. John A. Dorroh enlisted in Company G, 3rd South Carolina Infantry in Laurens County on April 14, 1861, and was mustered into service with the company on June 6. He reenlisted on May 13, 1862. Dorroh was fatally wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg. He died on December 13, 1862, and was buried in Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hickory Tavern (Laurens County).

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by John A. Dorroh, a soldier serving in Company G, 3rd South Carolina Infantry during the American Civil War. Addressed to "Dear Mother," the letter was written at "Sharlotteville" [Charlottesville, Virginia] on April 11, 1862. Dorroh writes that he is recuperating on a plantation. He relays news of mutual acquaintances and asks after the wheat crop at home, expressing hope that he will return in time to help harvest it.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

General

This collection was purachased, accessioned, and originally cataloged as the "John D. Dorroh Letter." A closer examination and further information revealed the middle initial to be "A.," and the title was corrected to the "John A. Dorroh Letter" in 2006.