Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: James E. Rearden Civil War Collection, Ms2007-013 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The James E. Rearden Civil War Collection was donated to the Civil War collection at the Special Collections in 2004.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the James E. Rearden Civil War Collection began in September 2007 and was completed in October 2007. Preliminary processing of the collection occurred at the time of accession in May 2004.

Biographical/Historical Information

James E. Rearden was a confederate soldier with the 7th South Carolina Infantry, a part of Kershaw's brigade known as the "Bloody Seventh" because of heavy losses during numerous battles of the Civil War. James E. Rearden enlisted at Greenville in 1861. His regiment was mainly stationed in the Northern Virginia area where these letters originated. Rearden was promoted to captain in September 1862 and was wounded in the leg at Chickamauga in September 1863. His leg was amputated and he later died of his wounds on September 26, 1863.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of letters written by James Rearden of South Carolina. The majority of the letters are addressed to his wife, Maggie. Some were also sent to his mother and other family members. The letters date from 1861-1862.

Additional materials include two bonds from the 1890s addressed to a Venetia H. Auld and a Commission appointing Donald H. Auld Coroner of Sumter County, South Carolina from 1884. The collection also includes correspondence between W. G. Johnston of Waynesboro, GA and U.S. Aronhalt of Coshocton, OH consisting of three letters regarding the purchase of Airedale puppies dating from 1916, 1917, and 1920. There is an additional letter from the Civil War era, dated September 5, 1864, the author of this letter is unknown.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically. The letters in folder 8 appear to have been tied together and were roughly in reverse chronological order; they were left in this arrangement in order to preserve original order.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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