Additional Personal Papers Collection (1861-1865)

Armsworthy tells his wife about army life and specifically about recent marching.

In this letter dated February 6, 1865, A.M. Chacky writes from Augusta County to his brother, Ed Chacky, about fooling a provost guard into letting him on a train to Fishersville. Chacky was a member of Wharton’s Division of the Valley Army of Virginia.

William Clark Corson did not live in Augusta County, Virginia, but he served in the Virginia cavalry and saw action in the Shenandoah Valley. In this letter, he writes his fiance about his journey through the Valley to join his brigade and his life at camp. He mentions a “Free negro” and describes a poor white family who housed him on his journey. He characterizes camp life as one of deprivation; even the soldiers’ horses went without feed. He closes his letter by expressing his dedication to his fiance.

In this letter to his wife Ellen, Ervine describes the route followed by his regiment when marching in Virginia. He talks about civilians' kind treatment of the soldiers and describes a battle in which a few Confederate soldiers held off a large force while on a bridge. The letter also touches on the value of horses in his company and on the friends he has seen while in the service.

In this wartime letter dated February 21, 1862, Hubard writes to his uncle from Staunton about a variety of topics, including the chances of victory for the South, Confederate policies, the low status of nearby women, the polite and refined character of local “Negroes,” the folly of empowering the “rabble,” illicit trade in horses and whiskey by refugees, and enlistment prospects in his regiment.

In this wartime letter dated November 22, 1863, Hull writes to a friend about his desire to leave Winchester. He also mentions a furlough he received on account of his typhoid fever, and talks about how hard it has been for the Confederacy to succeed militarily. Hull was a member of the 4th Virginia.

H.C. Kendrick, a soldier in the Confederate Army camped near Culpepper, Virginia, writes to his mother about the conditions in camp, and the likelihood that the army will move into Union territory soon. Kendrick discusses what he feels would be justifiable retribution, including burning homes, against the North for the damage wrought in the Confederacy during the war.

A man named Burr describes Staunton, Virginia. He also writes that “laggard” officers should be forced to duty.

A son writes to his mother of the books he is reading and of North-South politics.

William Nelson Pendleton writes to his daughter and tells her to trust in the Lord for their protection. He describes the movement of northern troops around Staunton and mentions the death of General W.E. Jones.

In a letter to Colonel G.Q. Tompkins, Smith ponders the nature of war and analyzes the current state of military affairs. He fears Richmond will fall, and he discusses the activities of Confederate and Union forces in Virginia, as he reviews the strategies of several Generals, including Jackson, McClellan, Fremont, and others. Smith also discusses the difficulty of communicating with his family.

In this letter dated March 17, 1863, Snider, a member of the 14th Virginia Cavalry, writes to his sister, Kittie Snider, about bad weather and the high food prices in camp.

In this letter to his wife, George A. Sommers discusses transport of goods along the railroad, the positioning of troops, his ability to buy and mail goods other than military goods, and his inability to visit at home. The Sommers were possibly residents of Madison County, Virginia. The letter contains a brief mention of citizens leaving for Staunton.

An aunt writes to her nephew of his family history, including references to the McNutt, McCorcle, Trimble and Porter families.