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], James C. Franklin Letter, Ms2009-076, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The James C. Franklin Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the James C. Franklin Letter commenced and was completed in May 2009.

Biographical Note

James C. Franklin, son of Tarlton W. and Elizabeth G. Shelton Franklin, was born in 1836 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He married Susan W. Shelton (daughter of William Christopher and Christiana Arnold Shelton) on August 8, 1861; the couple had six children. During the American Civil War, Franklin enlisted in Company D of the 57th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army at Galveston (Pittsylvania County) on August 1, 1861. He deserted from the regiment on February 21, 1863, but later rejoined. Franklin deserted again on June 12, 1863, then rejoined April 29, 1864 and remained with the regiment through the remainder of the war.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of an American Civil War letter from James C. Franklin, a soldier in Company D, 57th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army, to his wife Susan in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Writing from a camp near Guinea Station, Virginia, Franklin describes a recent, difficult march through rain and snow near Fredericksburg. He then briefly recounts a massive snowball fight between Toombs' Brigade and Cross's Brigade. "It was verry dangerous they hurt some of the men verry bad," he writes. Franklin discusses the unlikely possibility of receiving a furlough but states that those not receiving furloughs are likely to desert soon. "[T]hey wil run away in the Spring and I will be one in the crowd if I live." He complains of short rations and the price of goods, then advises his brother John Billy to bring a surgeon's certificate when returning so that he will be paid for the time he was absent.

Related Material

The Manuscript Department of the William R. Perkins Library, Duke University, holds letters from James C. Franklin of Pittsylvania County, Virginia .

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 James C. Franklin Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).