Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Henry Courtenay Selden Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Henry Courtenay Selden Letters, Ms2009-015 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The Henry Courtenay Selden Letters were donated to Special Collections in 2008.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement and description of the Henry Courtenay Selden Letters commenced and was completed in January 2009.

Biographical Information

Henry Courtenay Selden, son of Robert C. and Courtenay Brooke Selden, was born in Virginia on May 3, 1846. A resident of Gloucester County, Virginia, Selden had eight siblings (many of whom are mentioned in his letters): John, Charles, Robert Jr., Elizabeth, Warner, Mary, Charlotte, and Susan. By 1861, Selden was a student at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University), where he remained through spring 1863. He enlisted the 3rd Virginia Cavalry later that year and died on September 23, 1864.

Scope and Content

This collection contains color photocopies and typed transcripts of letters written by Henry Courtenay Selden, a student at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) during the Civil War. Writing from Lexington, Virginia to his sister Mollie (probably Mary Byrd Selden Dimmock), Selden discusses his schoolwork, family members, and local acquaintances but also mentions war news and rumors. In his letter of May 18, 1863, Selden briefly describes the funeral of Brigadier General Elisha F. Paxton, then recounts in detail the funeral procession and burial of General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Included among the Washington College letters is a letter from A. L. Nelson, professor of mathematics, recommending Selden for an appointment in the Confederate Navy. The collection also includes a single letter written by Selden after his enlistment in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry. Writing from Brucetown, Virginia on August 30, [1864], Selden briefly mentions the regiment's recent battles at Williamsport and Smithfield.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically, with the photocopies preceding the transcripts.

Index Terms

Subjects:

• Civil War
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865