Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Robert H. Maury Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Robert H. Maury Correspondence, Ms2018-013, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Robert H. Maury Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections in February 2016.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert H. Maury Correspondence was completed in September, 2018.

Scope and Contents

The collection includes letters written by Maury to his Cousin Sarah, nicknamed "Puss." The letters are written from Camps at Morton's Ford, Virginia (March 13th, 1864,) and Port Walthall Junction, Virginia, (October 1st, 1864 and November 10th, 1864). They relate war news such as Dahlgren's Raid, camp life, encounters with well known officers, duties, and frivolity. Maury was a member of the First Company, Richmond Howitzers. The letter written March 13th relates how furloughs had been suspended due to Confederate Quartermasters using the railroads in North Carolina. It also entions the Dahlgren Raid on Richmond. Maury relates his acquaintance with Ulrich Dahlgren in school and was not surprised that Dahlgren planned the raid. "He was always a vile little wretch & I am not at all surprised that he should have undertaken such a villainous plot." He mentions seeing Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell and his family. In the letter dated October 1, 1864, he describes the lack of ability to send or receivemail due to troop movements on railroads, relates news of actions around Petersburg and Richmond and that Confederate forces were successful, describes the weather (Weather cold and rainy), and notes he was detailed to work on breastworks. In the letter dated November 10th, 1864, he relates a dance given at Maury's quarters in a house--there were no women involved but the men danced to the music of the band of the 7th Virginia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Confederate States of America. Army. Virginia Artillery. Richmond Howitzers
• Petersburg (Va.) -- History -- Siege, 1864-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865