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], Union Soldier [Charles] Correspondence, 1861-1864, Ms2023-016, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Union Soldier [Charles] Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in December 2015.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Union Soldier [Charles] Correspondence was completed in May 2023.

Biographical Note

The author of these letters was a soldier named Charles, who fought in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He had a sister named Nellie. No other biographical information could be found.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the correspondence of a Union soldier named Charles during the American Civil War. It comprises twelve wartime letters dating from September 22, 1861, through July 4, 1864. The earliest letter finds him in Annapolis, where his regiment is plagued by a series of terrible accidents. From there his regiment heads to Virginia, then up to Washington, where the bulk of these letters are written. On August 24, 1862, he writes of the upcoming Battle of Harpers Ferry. He goes on to write extensively of his time as a guard at Carroll Prison, where Rebel prisoners are kept. After his time as a prison guard, Charles is stationed in Suffolk, where he enthusiastically details his frightful excitement during battle. The final letter, written on July 4, 1864, finds Charles in camp near Petersburg, Virginia, and he mentions building a fort and the death of a Colonel Ryan.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Union Soldier [Charles] Correspondence by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).