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.

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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], George W. Ringlar Letter, Ms2009-070, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The George W. Ringlar Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the George W. Ringlar Letter commenced and was completed in May 2009.

Biographical Note

George W. Ringlar, the son of James H. Ringlar, was born around 1831. Though from Vermont, Ringlar enlisted in a New Hampshire regiment at the beginning of the American Civil War, joining Company C of the 1st New Hampshire Infantry for three months' service on April 20, 1861. He mustered in as a private with his company on May 2 and mustered out on August 9.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a letter from George W. Ringlar, a Vermont resident, writing from Yorktown, Virginia, during the American Civil War, probably in 1862. Writing to his father, Ringlar states that he has recently been ill and that he had tried to join the army but was rejected by a colonel who said that "he had sick men enough already and did not see eny use in taking a sick man for a soldier." Ringlar refers to himself as a "stranger in a strange land" but is content in living with a family of Virginia farmers. He contrasts the farms of Virginia with those of Vermont. "I'll tell you what they do raise here," he writes, "and raise to perfection that is vare ripe Peaches and pretty girls." Ringlar continues by providing his father instructions for the care of his horse, wagon, harness and some financial matters. As a non-participant in the war, he writes, he has no news and will not relay anything from the newspapers, "for they are liars by liars every one of them." He closes with personal messages to other relatives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the George W. Ringlar Letter, Ms2009-070 by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).