A Guide to the George W. Ringlar Letter, ca. 1862 Ringlar, George W. Letter Ms2009-070

A Guide to the George W. Ringlar Letter, ca. 1862

A Collection in
Special Collections
Collection Number Ms2009-070

Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
USA
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Email: specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu/

Processed by: John M. Jackson, Special Collections Staff

Repository

Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Collection Number

Ms2009-070

Title

George W. Ringlar Letter ca. 1862

Physical Characteristics

1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.

Creator

Ringlar, George W.

Language

English

Abstract

Letter from Vermont native, living with a Virginia farming family during the Civil War, relating his attempt to join the army, unsuccessful due to illness. Also provides a contrasting description between the farms of Vermont and Virginia, instructs his father in handling his affairs during his absence, and denigrates newspapers as "liars by liars."

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the George W. Ringlar Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: George W. Ringlar Letter, Ms2009-070 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The George W. Ringlar Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the George W. Ringlar Letter commenced and was completed in May 2009.

Biographical Information

George W. Ringlar, the son of James H. Ringlar, was born around 1831. Though from Vermont, Ringlar enlisted in a New Hampshire regiment at the beginning of the Civil War, joining Company C of the 1st New Hampshire Infantry for three months' service on April 20, 1861. He mustered in as a private with his company on May 2 and mustered out on August 9.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a letter from George W. Ringlar, a Vermont resident, writing from Yorktown, Virginia, probably in 1862. Writing to his father, Ringlar states that he has recently been ill and that he had tried to join the army but was rejected by a colonel who said that "he had sick men enough already and did not see eny use in taking a sick man for a soldier." Ringlar refers to himself as a "stranger in a strange land" but is content in living with a family of Virginia farmers. He contrasts the farms of Virginia with those of Vermont. "I'll tell you what they do raise here," he writes, "and raise to perfection that is vare ripe Peaches and pretty girls." Ringlar continues by providing his father instructions for the care of his horse, wagon, harness and some financial matters. As a non-participant in the war, he writes, he has no news and will not relay anything from the newspapers, "for they are liars by liars every one of them." He closes with personal messages to other relatives.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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

Contents List

Folder 1

Letter ca. 1862

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

Ringlar, George W.