Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the J. S. Tinsley Telegram must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: J. S. Tinsley Telegram, Ms2013-033, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The J. S. Tinsley Telegram was purchased by Special Collections in February 2013.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the J. S. Tinsley Telegram was completed in July 2013.

Biographical Note

J. S. Tinsley served in the 3rd Virginia Reserves. The 1860 census lists a J. S. Tinsley (abt. 1818-1888) who resided in Henrico, VA and was married to Mary Tinsley. This is probably the same J. S. Tinsley who composed the telegram, since members of the VA Reserves fought near their home regions and were either young men 17 to 18 years old or older men 45-50 years old.

J. O. L. Goggin, Esq. was a lawyer in Lynchburg (b. abt. 1816). There is a John O. L. Goggin, Sr. who also served in the 3rd Va. Reserves at some point in the Civil War. This may be the same J. O. L. to whom this telegram is addressed.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains a telegram, sent via the Southern Telegraph Companies, from J. S. Tinsley to J. O. L. Goggin, Esq. The telegram, dated June 2, 186[2], reports a Confederate victory after the Union forces "retired" towards drewry's Bluff: "We mourn our loss but rejoice over our victory."

The year of the telegram is left blank, however, the battle to which J. S. Tinsley refers is likely the Battle of Seven Pines (a.k.a. the Battle of Fair Oaks), which took place from May 31 to the evening of June 1, 1862.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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