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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], Thomas L. Preston Letter, Ms2008-041, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Thomas L. Preston Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 2008.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the Thomas L. Preston Letter commenced and was completed in July 2008.

Biographical Note

(Note: The precise identity of the Thomas L. Preston who wrote this letter could not be confirmed. The information that follows is for a Thomas L. Preston who may have been the letter's author.)

Thomas Lewis Preston, son of Francis and Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston, was born in Abingdon, Virginia on November 20, 1812. He attended Washington College before graduating with a degree in law from the University of Virginia in 1833. In 1842 he settled in Smyth County, Virginia, where he eventually operated the family salt works, served as a director of Abingdon's branch of the Exchange Bank of Virginia, and represented Smyth County in the Virginia General Assembly. He also served on the governing boards of Emory and Henry College, Mary Washington College and Virginia Military Institute. Commissioned a captain at the outbreak of the American Civil War, he served as assistant adjutant general under General Joseph E. Johnston. When his commission was revoked by the War Department, he declined a new commission as major. Moving to Albemarle County in 1863, Preston served as rector of the University of Virginia from 1864 to 1865. He married twice, first to Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts (ca.1822-1843) and later to Anna Maria Saunders (1825-1911). He died March 20, 1903 in Albemarle County.

Scope and Content

This collection contains a letter from Thomas L. Preston, of Campbell County, Virginia to John M. Preston, of Smyth County, Virginia. Dated from Yellow Branch P. O., the letter relates to personal matters and family health before ending with a brief discussion of the national political climate and the possibility of impending armed conflict. "Perhaps the direct consequences of the separation of political relations, war, may be near our hearthstone," Preston writes. "I do not know what to anticipate but I will ever be loyal to Virginia & follow my fight if necessary under her flag."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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