Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the Felix Voltz Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Felix Voltz Letters, Ms1993-021, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Felix Voltz Letters were purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Alternate Form Available

Transcripts and images (gifs) of the letters in this collection are available. See the "Contents List" for links to transcripts and images.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Felix Voltz Letters commenced and was completed in 1993. Additional description was completed in November 2009.

Biographical Information

Felix Voltz served as a drummer in the 187 th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. To his family's dismay, Voltz ran away from home in February of 1865 to enlist.

Scope and Content

The collection contains six letters by Voltz, written to home to his family in Elmira, New York. The first letter in the collection, written from one of Felix's brother's to another, recounts Felix's flight from home and includes Felix's goodbye note. The second letter from February contains correspondence from Felix and his brother John to their parents and siblings. The remaining four letters are from Felix to his siblings at home. More than once, Felix comments on the regret he feels for leaving home.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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