Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the John McCauley Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: John McCauley Letters, Ms2009-075 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The John McCauley Letters were purchased by Special Collections in 1994. An additional letter was purchased in 2014.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the John McCauley Letters commenced and was completed in May 2009. Additional processing was completed in July 2017.

Biographical Information

John McCauley was a resident of Salem, Virginia during the Civil War. He was most likely the same John McCauley (1795-1864) who played a prominent role in the formation of Roanoke County and represented the county in the Virginia General Assembly for approximately 17 years. With his second wife, Susan Dingledine McCauley, he fathered eight children: William, Calpernia, Isabella J., Virginia V., Edward A. (born ca. 1844), Charles A., Mary M., and Antoinette ("Nettie"). Another four children had been born to an earlier marriage.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a letter from John McCauley, a resident of Salem, Virginia during the Civil War. Writing from Salem to "Edward" (most likely Edward A. McCauley) McCauley describes his recent trip and arrival at home. He advises Edward against accompanying his fellow soldiers when they steal from the local populace at night. ("You are stationary. There are few of you, and once suspected, the innocent among you will suffer in character with the guilty," he warns.) McCauley also relays news of an upcoming benefit exhibition being staged for soldiers in the area, to include "dialogues, music, tableau and a supper." McCauley predicts that the event will draw "a big crowd of spectators... if the small pox does not so spread as to prevent it." The collection also includes a letter to "Susan," detailing excitement around the regiment's experiences in First Bull Run, written from Wytheville, July 1861.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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