{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives\u0026page=3","prev":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives\u0026page=2","next":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives\u0026page=4","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives\u0026page=9"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":3,"next_page":4,"prev_page":2,"total_pages":9,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":20,"total_count":82,"first_page?":false,"last_page?":false}},"data":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection","Wilson Family papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection","Wilson Family papers"],"text":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection","Wilson Family papers","Correspondence","English"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1834-1922"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1834/1922"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"extent_ssm":["11 items"],"extent_tesim":["11 items"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":7,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922],"language_ssim":["English"],"_nest_path_":"/components#1/components#0","timestamp":"2026-06-05T07:07:45.479Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_570.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00083.xml","title_ssm":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"title_tesim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1834-1941"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1834-1941"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0490","/repositories/3/resources/570"],"text":["MS.0490","/repositories/3/resources/570","Nathaniel C. Wilson collection","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 28th","Soldiers—Virginia—Diaries","Account Books","Legal instruments","Financial records","There are no restrictions","Nathaniel Claiborne Wilson was born in 1831 and matriculated into VMI in 1857, but was only at VMI for a year. From 1859 to 1860 he was at the University of Virginia. Wilson's military service is as follows:\n Entered service at Craig Court House, Virginia on May 15, 1861 for 1 year as a Captain, Company B, 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment. On recruiting service from February to April 1862. Elected Major on May 1, 1862 at re-organization. Was sightly wounded in action (face) on June 1, 1862 at Seven Pines, Henrico County, Virginia. Was wounded in action (thigh) at Gaines' Mill, Hanover County, Virginia. Went into Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania telling men, \"Now, boys, put your trust in God and follow me!\" Was killed in action on July 3, 1863.","1st Day \nPennsylvania \nOn the 25th of June Pickett's Division (the Division to which I belong) crossed the Potomac into Maryland \u0026 encamped about one mile north of Williamsport, a town of about 500 inhabitants. This place is situated on the north bank of the Potomac in one of the most fertile regions of the state, little or no sympathy was shown us by the citizens of the town. Before going into camp we executed a Private from the 18th Va. Regt. for desertion. The Division waded the river, the water taking most of the men under the arms.","2nd Day \nPennsylvania \n26th June \nOrders to move in the direction of Hagerstown at 4 o'clock, do not get off until 10, delay occasioned by the passing of A. P. Hill's Corps to the front. Whisky rations issued (it being a very wet morning), every man in spirits, both good \u0026 bad. Marched through Hagerstown into Franklin Co. near Greencastle, Pa, passed through Middleburg, a small place on the Md. \u0026 Pa. line. Hagerstown is about 7 miles from the river \u0026 about 5 from the Pa. line \u0026 contains between 4500 and 5000 inhabitants a large majority of whom are ultra unionist in sentiment.","3rd Day \nPennsylvania \n27th June \nMarched out of camp in the direction of Chambersburg, passed through Greencastle \u0026 Marion small villages, unworthy of note. The country from the Md. Line to Chambersburg is rather rugged \u0026 the soil not half so fine as that portion of Maryland we passed over on yesterday.\nThere is a great quantity of the limestone \u0026 it is too near the surface. The country immediately around Chambersburg is as pretty \u0026 well cultivated as any country we have traveled through. All the farms are on a small scale, but are finely cultivated. Private dwellings are all neat \u0026 conveniently built, built, but no elegance of style whatever. Chambersburg has about 3000 inhabitants situated on the railroad leading from Hagerstown Md. to Harrisburg Pa. The town is handsomely laid off with a number of beautiful residences on its eastern outskirts. This is an abolition den with very few sympathizers for the Southern cause. My regiment was halted in this place \u0026 made the Provost Gd for the town, the remainder of the Division passed through in the direction of Carlisle \u0026 encamped about 3 miles north of the place.","4th Day \nPennsylvania \nSabbath, June 28 \nRemained as Provost Guard for the town during the day, nothing of interest occurring. The day was spent in securing supplies for the army. Richmond papers of the24th (26th?) recd. Report the enemy repulsed with slaughter near Vicksburg. News recd of the capture of Carlisle by Genl. Ewell, the citizens prepared for him \u0026 5000 of his troops a feast, Yankees mode of courting favor. Met today with Captain [left blank by Wilson] of the Austrian Army just arrived at Genl Lee's HdQrs, a spectator in the present struggle sent over by his government to witness any military operations. He expresses admiration for our soldiers \u0026 thinks Genl Lee the greatest Genl of the age. A six or seven year old boy came into our office at 11 o'clock at night inquiring for the Provost Marshal. Says he is badly treated at home (his mother being dead \u0026 his father absent for the past three years, he knows not exactly where) and desires to join us. We offer to send him back to his home, but he refuses to go \u0026 asks permission for the night. Sleeps with the surgeon on the floor.","5th Day \nPennsylvania \nJune 29th \nOur regiment is relieved this morning by Col. Griffin's Mississippi regt. \u0026 we report to our Division 3 miles north of the town. The Division under marching orders. Marched at 4 o'clock P.M. back in the direction of Chambersburg, encamp at night 2 miles south of the town on the Hagerstown road. Nothing of interest occurring.","6th \u0026 7th Days \nPennsylvania \nJune 30th \nIn camp. Nothing of interest occurring through the day. One party sent out this morning to destroy the railroad from Hagerstown to Harrisburg, another sent out to purchase Qr. Master \u0026 Commissary stores.","July 1st \nTroops engaged in destroying public property in the town of Chambersburg \u0026 tearing up the railroad. Four roll calls a day ordered to be had to prevent the troops straggling from camp.","July 2nd, Pennsylvania \nOrdered to march in the direction of Gatesburgh [Gettysburg]. Marched within 4 miles of the town a distance of 25 miles from our camp. Heard before we arrived at Gatesburgh [Gettysburg] that our advance had heavy fighting around that place. Report correct. Six thousand prisoners taken and the enemy driven one or two miles. Number of killed and wounded not known. Loss heavy on both sides.","July 3rd \nIn line of battle expecting to move forward every moment. With our trust in God we fear not an earthly enemy – God be with us.","Camp Near Greenville \nSaturday 14 march '63","My Dear Papa \nOur brigade arrived at this place this morning, a distance of twenty five miles from Tarboro. Sunday morning 15th March - We move this morning in the direction of the Sounds. The country that we are passing through is the greatest corn and hog country that I have ever been in. In fact everything seems plenty except flour. Thursday 19th March - We have traveled about forty miles and reached a little place called Plymouth on the Roanoke river just where it empties into the Sound.  We are some distance inside the enemies lines [drove in] their pickets soon this morning I don't think we take the town though we might do it with ease as they have but a small force. Their gun boats would prevent our holding it long and then there is nothing to gain by taking. We send out this evening our wagons with a large escort about 30 miles below this [?] Terrill we are now in Washington. Sunday morning March 22 - our wagons arrived this morning with a large quantity of corn and some forty or fifty thousand pounds of bacon. Our orders now are to march back in the direction of Greenville. We get plenty of Roanoke River shad here at 50 cts. a piece, eggs 10 cts a dozen, sweet potatoes $1.00 per [lb?], lard 20 cts. per lb, bacon from 15 to 25 cts per lb and butter about the same, so you see we may live well, but back about Greenville things are little higher. The yankees have destroyed a great deal of property in this country, most of the houses of loyal citizens have been burned or robbed of furniture. ","Wednesday March 25th- We are now back at Greenville, where we will move to next I know not - but I think it more than probable we will be ordered to Kinstown or Goldsborough.  We never hear any news down in this country, the people are generally very ignorant, you will find families owning large numbers of slaves not able to write their names. The females are generally very ugly and all of them use snuff, in other words they are guilty of the filthy practice of dipping. We have none of our baggage with us. I haven't changed my underclothing for three weeks. Henry is quite unwell. I wish I had an opportunity of sending him home.  George my horse has been valued by the Qr. Master at $600.00 so if I lose him I will only lose $25.00. My love to [Fred and Mattie].  Direct to Garnett's Brigade, D. H. Hill's Division, N. C.","This collection consists of the Civil War papers of Nathaniel C. Wilson (VMI Class of 1861) and papers of other Wilson family members, including:\n Wilson's diary-account book fragment that includes entries from Pennsylvania and the battlefield at Gettysburg. Two letters (dated 1859-1860)written while Wilson was a student at the University of Virginia. One letter (dated March 14-25, 1863) from Wilson written during the Civil War from Camp near Greenville, Virginia. Wilson family correspondence, legal/financial papers, and ephemera.","Written from \"Camp near Greenville,\" Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and personal news.","This file contains genealogy notes for the Wilson, Claiborne, and James families.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Wilson Family","Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0490","/repositories/3/resources/570"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"collection_title_tesim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"collection_ssim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863"],"creator_ssim":["Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863"],"creators_ssim":["Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 28th","Soldiers—Virginia—Diaries","Account Books","Legal instruments","Financial records"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 28th","Soldiers—Virginia—Diaries","Account Books","Legal instruments","Financial records"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.5 cubic feet approximately 60 items"],"extent_tesim":["0.5 cubic feet approximately 60 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Account Books","Legal instruments","Financial records"],"date_range_isim":[1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNathaniel Claiborne Wilson was born in 1831 and matriculated into VMI in 1857, but was only at VMI for a year. From 1859 to 1860 he was at the University of Virginia. Wilson's military service is as follows:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEntered service at Craig Court House, Virginia on May 15, 1861 for 1 year as a Captain, Company B, 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOn recruiting service from February to April 1862.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElected Major on May 1, 1862 at re-organization.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWas sightly wounded in action (face) on June 1, 1862 at Seven Pines, Henrico County, Virginia.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWas wounded in action (thigh) at Gaines' Mill, Hanover County, Virginia.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWent into Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania telling men, \"Now, boys, put your trust in God and follow me!\"\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWas killed in action on July 3, 1863.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Nathaniel Claiborne Wilson was born in 1831 and matriculated into VMI in 1857, but was only at VMI for a year. From 1859 to 1860 he was at the University of Virginia. Wilson's military service is as follows:\n Entered service at Craig Court House, Virginia on May 15, 1861 for 1 year as a Captain, Company B, 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment. On recruiting service from February to April 1862. Elected Major on May 1, 1862 at re-organization. Was sightly wounded in action (face) on June 1, 1862 at Seven Pines, Henrico County, Virginia. Was wounded in action (thigh) at Gaines' Mill, Hanover County, Virginia. Went into Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania telling men, \"Now, boys, put your trust in God and follow me!\" Was killed in action on July 3, 1863."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e1st Day\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\nOn the 25th of June Pickett's Division (the Division to which I belong) crossed the Potomac into Maryland \u0026amp; encamped about one mile north of Williamsport, a town of about 500 inhabitants. This place is situated on the north bank of the Potomac in one of the most fertile regions of the state, little or no sympathy was shown us by the citizens of the town. Before going into camp we executed a Private from the 18th Va. Regt. for desertion. The Division waded the river, the water taking most of the men under the arms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2nd Day\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\n26th June\u003cbr\u003e\nOrders to move in the direction of Hagerstown at 4 o'clock, do not get off until 10, delay occasioned by the passing of A. P. Hill's Corps to the front. Whisky rations issued (it being a very wet morning), every man in spirits, both good \u0026amp; bad. Marched through Hagerstown into Franklin Co. near Greencastle, Pa, passed through Middleburg, a small place on the Md. \u0026amp; Pa. line. Hagerstown is about 7 miles from the river \u0026amp; about 5 from the Pa. line \u0026amp; contains between 4500 and 5000 inhabitants a large majority of whom are ultra unionist in sentiment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3rd Day\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\n27th June\u003cbr\u003e\nMarched out of camp in the direction of Chambersburg, passed through Greencastle \u0026amp; Marion small villages, unworthy of note. The country from the Md. Line to Chambersburg is rather rugged \u0026amp; the soil not half so fine as that portion of Maryland we passed over on yesterday.\nThere is a great quantity of the limestone \u0026amp; it is too near the surface. The country immediately around Chambersburg is as pretty \u0026amp; well cultivated as any country we have traveled through. All the farms are on a small scale, but are finely cultivated. Private dwellings are all neat \u0026amp; conveniently built, built, but no elegance of style whatever. Chambersburg has about 3000 inhabitants situated on the railroad leading from Hagerstown Md. to Harrisburg Pa. The town is handsomely laid off with a number of beautiful residences on its eastern outskirts. This is an abolition den with very few sympathizers for the Southern cause. My regiment was halted in this place \u0026amp; made the Provost Gd for the town, the remainder of the Division passed through in the direction of Carlisle \u0026amp; encamped about 3 miles north of the place.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4th Day\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\nSabbath, June 28\u003cbr\u003e\nRemained as Provost Guard for the town during the day, nothing of interest occurring. The day was spent in securing supplies for the army. Richmond papers of the24th (26th?) recd. Report the enemy repulsed with slaughter near Vicksburg. News recd of the capture of Carlisle by Genl. Ewell, the citizens prepared for him \u0026amp; 5000 of his troops a feast, Yankees mode of courting favor. Met today with Captain [left blank by Wilson] of the Austrian Army just arrived at Genl Lee's HdQrs, a spectator in the present struggle sent over by his government to witness any military operations. He expresses admiration for our soldiers \u0026amp; thinks Genl Lee the greatest Genl of the age. A six or seven year old boy came into our office at 11 o'clock at night inquiring for the Provost Marshal. Says he is badly treated at home (his mother being dead \u0026amp; his father absent for the past three years, he knows not exactly where) and desires to join us. We offer to send him back to his home, but he refuses to go \u0026amp; asks permission for the night. Sleeps with the surgeon on the floor.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e5th Day\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\nJune 29th\u003cbr\u003e\nOur regiment is relieved this morning by Col. Griffin's Mississippi regt. \u0026amp; we report to our Division 3 miles north of the town. The Division under marching orders. Marched at 4 o'clock P.M. back in the direction of Chambersburg, encamp at night 2 miles south of the town on the Hagerstown road. Nothing of interest occurring.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e6th \u0026amp; 7th Days\u003cbr\u003e\nPennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\nJune 30th\u003cbr\u003e\nIn camp. Nothing of interest occurring through the day. One party sent out this morning to destroy the railroad from Hagerstown to Harrisburg, another sent out to purchase Qr. Master \u0026amp; Commissary stores.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJuly 1st\u003cbr\u003e\nTroops engaged in destroying public property in the town of Chambersburg \u0026amp; tearing up the railroad. Four roll calls a day ordered to be had to prevent the troops straggling from camp.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJuly 2nd, Pennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\nOrdered to march in the direction of Gatesburgh [Gettysburg]. Marched within 4 miles of the town a distance of 25 miles from our camp. Heard before we arrived at Gatesburgh [Gettysburg] that our advance had heavy fighting around that place. Report correct. Six thousand prisoners taken and the enemy driven one or two miles. Number of killed and wounded not known. Loss heavy on both sides.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJuly 3rd\u003cbr\u003e\nIn line of battle expecting to move forward every moment. With our trust in God we fear not an earthly enemy – God be with us.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp Near Greenville\u003cbr\u003e\nSaturday 14 march '63\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Papa\u003cbr\u003e\nOur brigade arrived at this place this morning, a distance of twenty five miles from Tarboro. Sunday morning 15th March - We move this morning in the direction of the Sounds. The country that we are passing through is the greatest corn and hog country that I have ever been in. In fact everything seems plenty except flour. Thursday 19th March - We have traveled about forty miles and reached a little place called Plymouth on the Roanoke river just where it empties into the Sound.  We are some distance inside the enemies lines [drove in] their pickets soon this morning I don't think we take the town though we might do it with ease as they have but a small force. Their gun boats would prevent our holding it long and then there is nothing to gain by taking. We send out this evening our wagons with a large escort about 30 miles below this [?] Terrill we are now in Washington. Sunday morning March 22 - our wagons arrived this morning with a large quantity of corn and some forty or fifty thousand pounds of bacon. Our orders now are to march back in the direction of Greenville. We get plenty of Roanoke River shad here at 50 cts. a piece, eggs 10 cts a dozen, sweet potatoes $1.00 per [lb?], lard 20 cts. per lb, bacon from 15 to 25 cts per lb and butter about the same, so you see we may live well, but back about Greenville things are little higher. The yankees have destroyed a great deal of property in this country, most of the houses of loyal citizens have been burned or robbed of furniture. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWednesday March 25th- We are now back at Greenville, where we will move to next I know not - but I think it more than probable we will be ordered to Kinstown or Goldsborough.  We never hear any news down in this country, the people are generally very ignorant, you will find families owning large numbers of slaves not able to write their names. The females are generally very ugly and all of them use snuff, in other words they are guilty of the filthy practice of dipping. We have none of our baggage with us. I haven't changed my underclothing for three weeks. Henry is quite unwell. I wish I had an opportunity of sending him home.  George my horse has been valued by the Qr. Master at $600.00 so if I lose him I will only lose $25.00. My love to [Fred and Mattie].  Direct to Garnett's Brigade, D. H. Hill's Division, N. C.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["1st Day \nPennsylvania \nOn the 25th of June Pickett's Division (the Division to which I belong) crossed the Potomac into Maryland \u0026 encamped about one mile north of Williamsport, a town of about 500 inhabitants. This place is situated on the north bank of the Potomac in one of the most fertile regions of the state, little or no sympathy was shown us by the citizens of the town. Before going into camp we executed a Private from the 18th Va. Regt. for desertion. The Division waded the river, the water taking most of the men under the arms.","2nd Day \nPennsylvania \n26th June \nOrders to move in the direction of Hagerstown at 4 o'clock, do not get off until 10, delay occasioned by the passing of A. P. Hill's Corps to the front. Whisky rations issued (it being a very wet morning), every man in spirits, both good \u0026 bad. Marched through Hagerstown into Franklin Co. near Greencastle, Pa, passed through Middleburg, a small place on the Md. \u0026 Pa. line. Hagerstown is about 7 miles from the river \u0026 about 5 from the Pa. line \u0026 contains between 4500 and 5000 inhabitants a large majority of whom are ultra unionist in sentiment.","3rd Day \nPennsylvania \n27th June \nMarched out of camp in the direction of Chambersburg, passed through Greencastle \u0026 Marion small villages, unworthy of note. The country from the Md. Line to Chambersburg is rather rugged \u0026 the soil not half so fine as that portion of Maryland we passed over on yesterday.\nThere is a great quantity of the limestone \u0026 it is too near the surface. The country immediately around Chambersburg is as pretty \u0026 well cultivated as any country we have traveled through. All the farms are on a small scale, but are finely cultivated. Private dwellings are all neat \u0026 conveniently built, built, but no elegance of style whatever. Chambersburg has about 3000 inhabitants situated on the railroad leading from Hagerstown Md. to Harrisburg Pa. The town is handsomely laid off with a number of beautiful residences on its eastern outskirts. This is an abolition den with very few sympathizers for the Southern cause. My regiment was halted in this place \u0026 made the Provost Gd for the town, the remainder of the Division passed through in the direction of Carlisle \u0026 encamped about 3 miles north of the place.","4th Day \nPennsylvania \nSabbath, June 28 \nRemained as Provost Guard for the town during the day, nothing of interest occurring. The day was spent in securing supplies for the army. Richmond papers of the24th (26th?) recd. Report the enemy repulsed with slaughter near Vicksburg. News recd of the capture of Carlisle by Genl. Ewell, the citizens prepared for him \u0026 5000 of his troops a feast, Yankees mode of courting favor. Met today with Captain [left blank by Wilson] of the Austrian Army just arrived at Genl Lee's HdQrs, a spectator in the present struggle sent over by his government to witness any military operations. He expresses admiration for our soldiers \u0026 thinks Genl Lee the greatest Genl of the age. A six or seven year old boy came into our office at 11 o'clock at night inquiring for the Provost Marshal. Says he is badly treated at home (his mother being dead \u0026 his father absent for the past three years, he knows not exactly where) and desires to join us. We offer to send him back to his home, but he refuses to go \u0026 asks permission for the night. Sleeps with the surgeon on the floor.","5th Day \nPennsylvania \nJune 29th \nOur regiment is relieved this morning by Col. Griffin's Mississippi regt. \u0026 we report to our Division 3 miles north of the town. The Division under marching orders. Marched at 4 o'clock P.M. back in the direction of Chambersburg, encamp at night 2 miles south of the town on the Hagerstown road. Nothing of interest occurring.","6th \u0026 7th Days \nPennsylvania \nJune 30th \nIn camp. Nothing of interest occurring through the day. One party sent out this morning to destroy the railroad from Hagerstown to Harrisburg, another sent out to purchase Qr. Master \u0026 Commissary stores.","July 1st \nTroops engaged in destroying public property in the town of Chambersburg \u0026 tearing up the railroad. Four roll calls a day ordered to be had to prevent the troops straggling from camp.","July 2nd, Pennsylvania \nOrdered to march in the direction of Gatesburgh [Gettysburg]. Marched within 4 miles of the town a distance of 25 miles from our camp. Heard before we arrived at Gatesburgh [Gettysburg] that our advance had heavy fighting around that place. Report correct. Six thousand prisoners taken and the enemy driven one or two miles. Number of killed and wounded not known. Loss heavy on both sides.","July 3rd \nIn line of battle expecting to move forward every moment. With our trust in God we fear not an earthly enemy – God be with us.","Camp Near Greenville \nSaturday 14 march '63","My Dear Papa \nOur brigade arrived at this place this morning, a distance of twenty five miles from Tarboro. Sunday morning 15th March - We move this morning in the direction of the Sounds. The country that we are passing through is the greatest corn and hog country that I have ever been in. In fact everything seems plenty except flour. Thursday 19th March - We have traveled about forty miles and reached a little place called Plymouth on the Roanoke river just where it empties into the Sound.  We are some distance inside the enemies lines [drove in] their pickets soon this morning I don't think we take the town though we might do it with ease as they have but a small force. Their gun boats would prevent our holding it long and then there is nothing to gain by taking. We send out this evening our wagons with a large escort about 30 miles below this [?] Terrill we are now in Washington. Sunday morning March 22 - our wagons arrived this morning with a large quantity of corn and some forty or fifty thousand pounds of bacon. Our orders now are to march back in the direction of Greenville. We get plenty of Roanoke River shad here at 50 cts. a piece, eggs 10 cts a dozen, sweet potatoes $1.00 per [lb?], lard 20 cts. per lb, bacon from 15 to 25 cts per lb and butter about the same, so you see we may live well, but back about Greenville things are little higher. The yankees have destroyed a great deal of property in this country, most of the houses of loyal citizens have been burned or robbed of furniture. ","Wednesday March 25th- We are now back at Greenville, where we will move to next I know not - but I think it more than probable we will be ordered to Kinstown or Goldsborough.  We never hear any news down in this country, the people are generally very ignorant, you will find families owning large numbers of slaves not able to write their names. The females are generally very ugly and all of them use snuff, in other words they are guilty of the filthy practice of dipping. We have none of our baggage with us. I haven't changed my underclothing for three weeks. Henry is quite unwell. I wish I had an opportunity of sending him home.  George my horse has been valued by the Qr. Master at $600.00 so if I lose him I will only lose $25.00. My love to [Fred and Mattie].  Direct to Garnett's Brigade, D. H. Hill's Division, N. C."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNathaniel C. Wilson collection, 1834-1941. MS 0490. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Nathaniel C. Wilson collection, 1834-1941. MS 0490. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of the Civil War papers of Nathaniel C. Wilson (VMI Class of 1861) and papers of other Wilson family members, including:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilson's diary-account book fragment that includes entries from Pennsylvania and the battlefield at Gettysburg.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo letters (dated 1859-1860)written while Wilson was a student at the University of Virginia.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne letter (dated March 14-25, 1863) from Wilson written during the Civil War from Camp near Greenville, Virginia.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilson family correspondence, legal/financial papers, and ephemera.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"Camp near Greenville,\" Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and personal news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis file contains genealogy notes for the Wilson, Claiborne, and James families.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection consists of the Civil War papers of Nathaniel C. Wilson (VMI Class of 1861) and papers of other Wilson family members, including:\n Wilson's diary-account book fragment that includes entries from Pennsylvania and the battlefield at Gettysburg. Two letters (dated 1859-1860)written while Wilson was a student at the University of Virginia. One letter (dated March 14-25, 1863) from Wilson written during the Civil War from Camp near Greenville, Virginia. Wilson family correspondence, legal/financial papers, and ephemera.","Written from \"Camp near Greenville,\" Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and personal news.","This file contains genealogy notes for the Wilson, Claiborne, and James families."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_e3024f350643b7cd07f42c68737146cf\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Wilson Family","Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Wilson Family"],"famname_ssim":["Wilson Family"],"persname_ssim":["Wilson, Nathaniel C. (Nathaniel Claiborne), 1839-1863","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":11,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-06-05T07:07:45.479Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_570_c02_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence and documents","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eIncludes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. Williamson is not known, but the letter is presumed to be related to an ancestor.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626_c04","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_626"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Thomas H. Williamson papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Thomas H. Williamson papers"],"text":["Thomas H. Williamson papers","Correspondence and documents","English .","Includes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. Williamson is not known, but the letter is presumed to be related to an ancestor."],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence and documents","title_ssm":["Correspondence and documents"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence and documents"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1788-1888"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1788/1888"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence and documents"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Thomas H. Williamson papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":10,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. 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Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888],"language_ssim":["English ."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eIncludes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. 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Williamson papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1788-1888"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1788-1888"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0105","/repositories/3/resources/626"],"text":["MS.0105","/repositories/3/resources/626","Thomas H. Williamson papers","Virginia Military Institute—Curricula","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Publications","Architecture","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Textbooks","Correspondence","Memoirs","There are no restrictions.","Thomas Hoomes Williamson was born on August 30, 1813 in Richmond, Virginia to Thomas and Anne Walke Williamson. He spent most of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received his early schooling. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1829, but resigned in 1833 before receiving his degree.","In 1834 Williamson entered the profession of civil engineering and was the assistant to the United States Engineer in charge of building the dry dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard. ","Williamson married Louisa Henrietta Fenton Garnett on May 11, 1837 and the couple had five children: Mercer, William, Anne, Thomas, and Olympia.","In 1841 Williamson accepted a faculty appointment at VMI where spent the remainder of his career except for a brief absences during the Civil War. He taught tactics, drawing, and engineering, and at various times was assigned additional duties (e.g., Commandant of Cadets, Treasurer, and Librarian). While at VMI he wrote a textbook titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering.\"","Williamson took on various special assignments during the Civil War. In April 1861 he served with the Confederate Engineers Corps and worked on the defenses of the Rappahannock River and Manassas, Virginia. In October of that year he was ordered to return to VMI to teach civil and military engineering, but he was recalled to the Confederate Army in April 1862 for temporary special duty on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.","In 1864 Williamson married for the second time to Julia Wharton (Lewis) and the couple had two children: Sydney Bacon and Cornelia.","Williamson continued his teaching career at VMI until shortly before his death on March 31, 1888.","The Thomas H. Williamson papers include:\n Civil War memoirs, in which Williamson discusses the events that took place during his temporary assignment to the command of Major General Stonewall Jackson beginning in April 1862 Lecture notes (1850s) used in teaching engineering and architecture courses at VMI Two copies of the textbook written by Williamson for use at VMI titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering\" Williamson family genealogical material Correspondence","The memoirs, titled \"My Service with Genl Thos. J. Jackson\" regard Thomas H. Williamson's assignment to General Stonewall Jackson's command in the Spring of 1862.","Note on the text by William Couper, VMI's \"official historiographer\" from 1934-1954: \"This memorandum is written in the handwriting of General Thomas H. Williamson and is reproduced with the spelling, etc., unchanged. There is no date on the memorandum, but it was probably written after 1883 when\nColonel Shipp began to spell his name Shipp (originally spelled Ship). It also must have been written after Jones wrote his Reminiscences, published in 1876.\"","Materials used by Thomas H. Williamson while teaching his architecture, drawing, and other classes at VMI.","\"Babylon - Edfou, Parthenon-Colosseum\"","\"Church of Our Savior, Saxon Church, Smithsonian\n                  Institute, Pisa Cathedral, Mosque at Cordova, Mosque\n                  at Constantinople\"","\"Illustrations, 1st-3rd Period of the Gothic\"","\"Illustrations, English Parish Churches\"","Containts notes and an oversized chart.","Includes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. Williamson is not known, but the letter is presumed to be related to an ancestor.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 2","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0105","/repositories/3/resources/626"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Thomas H. Williamson papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Thomas H. Williamson papers"],"collection_ssim":["Thomas H. 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He spent most of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received his early schooling. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1829, but resigned in 1833 before receiving his degree.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1834 Williamson entered the profession of civil engineering and was the assistant to the United States Engineer in charge of building the dry dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWilliamson married Louisa Henrietta Fenton Garnett on May 11, 1837 and the couple had five children: Mercer, William, Anne, Thomas, and Olympia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1841 Williamson accepted a faculty appointment at VMI where spent the remainder of his career except for a brief absences during the Civil War. He taught tactics, drawing, and engineering, and at various times was assigned additional duties (e.g., Commandant of Cadets, Treasurer, and Librarian). While at VMI he wrote a textbook titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWilliamson took on various special assignments during the Civil War. In April 1861 he served with the Confederate Engineers Corps and worked on the defenses of the Rappahannock River and Manassas, Virginia. In October of that year he was ordered to return to VMI to teach civil and military engineering, but he was recalled to the Confederate Army in April 1862 for temporary special duty on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1864 Williamson married for the second time to Julia Wharton (Lewis) and the couple had two children: Sydney Bacon and Cornelia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWilliamson continued his teaching career at VMI until shortly before his death on March 31, 1888.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Thomas Hoomes Williamson was born on August 30, 1813 in Richmond, Virginia to Thomas and Anne Walke Williamson. He spent most of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, where he received his early schooling. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1829, but resigned in 1833 before receiving his degree.","In 1834 Williamson entered the profession of civil engineering and was the assistant to the United States Engineer in charge of building the dry dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard. ","Williamson married Louisa Henrietta Fenton Garnett on May 11, 1837 and the couple had five children: Mercer, William, Anne, Thomas, and Olympia.","In 1841 Williamson accepted a faculty appointment at VMI where spent the remainder of his career except for a brief absences during the Civil War. He taught tactics, drawing, and engineering, and at various times was assigned additional duties (e.g., Commandant of Cadets, Treasurer, and Librarian). While at VMI he wrote a textbook titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering.\"","Williamson took on various special assignments during the Civil War. In April 1861 he served with the Confederate Engineers Corps and worked on the defenses of the Rappahannock River and Manassas, Virginia. In October of that year he was ordered to return to VMI to teach civil and military engineering, but he was recalled to the Confederate Army in April 1862 for temporary special duty on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.","In 1864 Williamson married for the second time to Julia Wharton (Lewis) and the couple had two children: Sydney Bacon and Cornelia.","Williamson continued his teaching career at VMI until shortly before his death on March 31, 1888."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThomas H. Williamson papers, 1788-1888. MS 0105. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Thomas H. Williamson papers, 1788-1888. MS 0105. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Thomas H. Williamson papers include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivil War memoirs, in which Williamson discusses the events that took place during his temporary assignment to the command of Major General Stonewall Jackson beginning in April 1862\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLecture notes (1850s) used in teaching engineering and architecture courses at VMI\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo copies of the textbook written by Williamson for use at VMI titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering\"\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliamson family genealogical material\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorrespondence\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe memoirs, titled \"My Service with Genl Thos. J. Jackson\" regard Thomas H. Williamson's assignment to General Stonewall Jackson's command in the Spring of 1862.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNote on the text by William Couper, VMI's \"official historiographer\" from 1934-1954: \"This memorandum is written in the handwriting of General Thomas H. Williamson and is reproduced with the spelling, etc., unchanged. There is no date on the memorandum, but it was probably written after 1883 when\nColonel Shipp began to spell his name Shipp (originally spelled Ship). It also must have been written after Jones wrote his Reminiscences, published in 1876.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMaterials used by Thomas H. Williamson while teaching his architecture, drawing, and other classes at VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Babylon - Edfou, Parthenon-Colosseum\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Church of Our Savior, Saxon Church, Smithsonian\n                  Institute, Pisa Cathedral, Mosque at Cordova, Mosque\n                  at Constantinople\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Illustrations, 1st-3rd Period of the Gothic\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Illustrations, English Parish Churches\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eContaints notes and an oversized chart.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. Williamson is not known, but the letter is presumed to be related to an ancestor.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Thomas H. Williamson papers include:\n Civil War memoirs, in which Williamson discusses the events that took place during his temporary assignment to the command of Major General Stonewall Jackson beginning in April 1862 Lecture notes (1850s) used in teaching engineering and architecture courses at VMI Two copies of the textbook written by Williamson for use at VMI titled \"An Elementary Course of Architecture and Civil Engineering\" Williamson family genealogical material Correspondence","The memoirs, titled \"My Service with Genl Thos. J. Jackson\" regard Thomas H. Williamson's assignment to General Stonewall Jackson's command in the Spring of 1862.","Note on the text by William Couper, VMI's \"official historiographer\" from 1934-1954: \"This memorandum is written in the handwriting of General Thomas H. Williamson and is reproduced with the spelling, etc., unchanged. There is no date on the memorandum, but it was probably written after 1883 when\nColonel Shipp began to spell his name Shipp (originally spelled Ship). It also must have been written after Jones wrote his Reminiscences, published in 1876.\"","Materials used by Thomas H. Williamson while teaching his architecture, drawing, and other classes at VMI.","\"Babylon - Edfou, Parthenon-Colosseum\"","\"Church of Our Savior, Saxon Church, Smithsonian\n                  Institute, Pisa Cathedral, Mosque at Cordova, Mosque\n                  at Constantinople\"","\"Illustrations, 1st-3rd Period of the Gothic\"","\"Illustrations, English Parish Churches\"","Containts notes and an oversized chart.","Includes one letter (dated February 1788) from William Watts to his brother, Captain John Watts. The exact relationship to Thomas H. Williamson is not known, but the letter is presumed to be related to an ancestor."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_aee27eea08ccd2e10042a9e3c6726989\"\u003eManuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 2\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 2"],"names_coll_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering"],"persname_ssim":["Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    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Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"text":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers","Correspondence, family","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","English .","box 1","Folder 1-81","box 2","Folder 1-66","This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury."],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence, family","title_ssm":["Correspondence, family"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence, family"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1840-1872"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1840/1872"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence, family"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":146,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"date_range_isim":[1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872],"names_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 1","Folder 1-81","box 2","Folder 1-66"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury."],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:36.434Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_593.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00010.xml","title_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"title_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1833-1873"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1833-1873"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593"],"text":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593","Matthew Fontaine Maury papers","Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable  online .","Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. ","Maury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. ","Beginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.","A native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.","At War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.","The last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873.","Fredericksburg Va \n10 Nov 1840","My dear Mother, \nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026 with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026 parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026 we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026 in the saving of labor \u0026 trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.","'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026 is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026 is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026 cats than in\narranging plants \u0026 flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026 grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026 some sponge cake.\"","Aunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026 fevers, \u0026 after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026 besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026 I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026 `the boy.'","The political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026 New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026 from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026 that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026 elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026 Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.","Nannie, the children \u0026 all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026 to all the kith \u0026 kin. \nYour affectionate son, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n6 Feb 1857","My dear Sir, \nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.","The 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.","This will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.","In the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026 study.","Very truly yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Sir! \nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.","I trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.","Believe me Sir \nYours truly \nFerdinand Maximilian \nArch Duke of Austria","Milan \nDec the 10 1857","Observatory \n9 May 1858","My Dear Nannie, \nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.","Our hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.","After church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.","There is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.","I would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.","Then too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.","I am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.","Did you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.","You and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad \nM. F. Maury","[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.] \n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]","Observatory \n31 May 1858","My dear Nannie, \nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026 left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026 [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026 [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026 a nice girl \u0026 that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026 Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026 where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026 where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-","I am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026 [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026 the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.","Your Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026 he has got well. Mit \u0026 Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026 son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026 Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.","White Sulphur \n15 Aug '58","My dear wife, \nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson. \nI want to go home. \nLove to Sr E and all the children \nWhere is Betty?","[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]","Observatory \nWashington \n12 Sept 1858","My dear Nannie \nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?","The General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.","I have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin. \nYour aff daddy \nM F Maury","[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]","Observatory \nWashington \nSunday night 3 Oct 58","My dear Nannie, \nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026 announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026 smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.","Betty \u0026 the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026 Ellen spent the day with us \u0026 your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026 goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026 Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026 yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026 takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026 correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026 the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026 help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026 rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.","Goodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.","Rochester New York \n18 Nov 1858","My dear wife, \nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026 in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026 with music \u0026 banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026 that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026 so on to Chicago.","Now how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026 Totts \u0026 Glum \u0026 Dave \u0026 the Boy \u0026 Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft. \nM.F.","Chicago, \n20 Nov. 1858","My dear wife, \nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.","There was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026 when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026 left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026 reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.","I told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.","Where's my Betty \u0026 where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.","Mrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.","I find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026 c.","The weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026 tell me you all are well \u0026 happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026 Lizinka \u0026 Lucy \u0026 the Boy to put their heads together \u0026 tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026 I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026 Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026 [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.","God bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home. \nyr- M.F.","Kalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?","I had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.","Betty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway. \nLove to all yrs \nM.","Chicago \n27 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026 La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026 raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.","2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026 storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026 turn off- House full.","Here is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026 have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026 far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children. \nyour affectionate. \nM.F. Maury","Chicago Ill \n28 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.","I am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's. \nGod bless you \nYour aff \nM F Maury","Cleveland \n1 Dec (1858)","My dear Nannie, \nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026 say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026 Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time. \nGod bless you \nyr. afft. Daddy","Cleveland \n1 Dec 1858","My dear wife: \nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.","There was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026 all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.","Last Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026 go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026 what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026 would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026 Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026 Buffalo 10 \u0026 13, I reckon.","Betty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".","I send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft. \nM.F. Maury","[Postscript] \nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026 leave my card everywhere.","St. Louis Mo. \n6 Dec. 1858","My dear wife, \nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026 Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.","The good night's rest last night \u0026 the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.","Bless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026 the children, \u0026 the books \u0026 the lessons-","Lecture time- \nGood night, yr, M","Observatory \nFeb 17, 1859","Dear Nannie, \nWe miss you every day, \u0026 invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].","We have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in \nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -  (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-  Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026 naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled \nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.","4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4' \n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026 sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026 Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"","Half soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026 A is flat- Find it out \u0026 get the [pun].","The Aubicks \u0026 the Roys invite you \u0026 Mr. Corbin to parties.","Jeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026 you.","Observatory \n16 Mar `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.","Mr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026 will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026 Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father \nMFM","Observatory \n22 March `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.","Love to Mr. C. Afft. \nM.F.M.","Observatory \n23 March 59","My dear Nannie \nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.","Your Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.","This is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them. \nYr M.","Observatory \n12 Apr '59","My dear Wife \nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026 S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.","Stopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026 Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.","Kiss her \u0026 Lucy \u0026 love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026 his father, Brodies \u0026 his'n, Jno \u0026 his'n, Saint \u0026 her'n.","Good bye - yr aft. husband \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \nAp'l 14, '59","My dear Daughter, \nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026 Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026 Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026 I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!","My \"Brave\" is very well \u0026 happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-","The Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.","Love to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026 buss yr Ma. [ ] \n[ ] yrs \naff Dad","Observatory, Washington \nApl 16, '59","My dear Wellford, \nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.","If there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.","Dabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.","Yrs sincerely \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n19 Apl '59","My dear wife, \nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them. \nA letter from Frank - none from you.","All well and send love \nYr aft [friend] \nM.F.M.","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Apl '59","My dear sweet little Nannie, \nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026 all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.","I finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026 he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.","Come down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026 egg plants, oh \u0026 every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.","Lucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.","God bless you all \nyrs aft \nDad M","4 July '59","My dear Corbin, \nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026 Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026 both enjoying the visit very much.","A letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026 evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.","Persons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026 looked after in manners \u0026 ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026 bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.","From the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026 bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026 then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.","Give her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026 affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026 making us very proud.","They have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026 Agricultural science \u0026 offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n16 Nov. 1859","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.","What follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026 Dave. Totts \u0026 Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026 all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026 sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you. \nYr. \nM.F. Maury.","Observatory \nWashington \n5 Feb 1860","My dear Nannie: \nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026 Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning. \nGood night. Your aft. Dad, \nM. F. Maury.","[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)] \nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.","Observatory \n14 March 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.","I am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.","What does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-","Give my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail. \nAffectionately yrs \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n17 Apl 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.","Lewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-","I think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026 Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.","Think you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.","Is not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026 J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?","All well \u0026 good here. In haste. Yrs truly, \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n12 May 60","My dear Nannie, \nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.","The children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.","Yr aft father \nM.F. Maury","Telegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.","Send this to Nannie.","Observatory \nJuly 9, 1860","My dear Nannie, \nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.","You said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.","Next week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.","Betty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.","See a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S. \nKiss everybody \nyour Dad, in haste -","[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her \nin haste \nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}","Observatory \n6 Aug. '60","My dear wife \nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.","Tell Jno \u0026 Brodie \u0026 Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026 Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026 Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.","Thursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","If the boys \u0026 Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?","Observatory \nOct 1, 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.","You are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.","I am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.","I leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.","I understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026 all hands","Yrs truly \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Oct 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026 you, so I wrote him \u0026 sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.","Political affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026 negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026 wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026 me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026 will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.","If you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026 let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026 tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.","Goodbye \nYrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Perhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026 negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.","London \n21 Nov '60","My dear wife, \nYesterday \u0026 the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.","God bless you, \nM","Steamer New York \nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860","My dear Nannie \nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.","Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026 I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026 they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026 she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.","If you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026 \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026 tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.","When will you \u0026 Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026 c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026 her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026 asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026 confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands. \nyr Dad.","Richmond \n25 Apl 1861","My dear Wellford, \nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026 potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026 c. \nIn great haste. yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Don't come","Richmond \n27 Apl 1861","My dear wife- \nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026 sound.","I look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026 Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.","Kiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you. \nYr M","Tell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.","Richmond \n18 May 1861","My dear Corbin, \nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.","You did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.","If you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.","So far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026 tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026 marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026 boys between 15 \u0026 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026 useful service that the times offer to us.","This too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026 private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026 help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026 then do the best you can.","Tom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.  Yrs, M.F. Maury.","Richmond \n20 June `61","Dear Corbin, \nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:","I heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.","As to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.","Thus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.","I am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.","Love to Nannie \nyrs M.F. Maury","The Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.","Richmond \n18 July 1861","My dear wife, \nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.","I shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026 join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.","Hollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026 Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.","There are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026 c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.","Now you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you \nM.F.M.","Charlottesville, Va: Ridgway \n18 Sept 1861","My dear Nannie, \nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest. \nYr. Dad.","Richmond \n20 Nov 1861","My dear wife \nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.","Tom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.","Nan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.","The hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.","Miss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.","How are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.","Yr. affectionate, M.F. Maury","Richmond \n9 Dec `61","Dear Corbin, \nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.","Dave is off in the morning.","Love to Nannie, \nYrs. in haste \nM.F. Maury","Send it to C.","For Nannie \nPrivate \u0026 Confidential \nDec. 9.1861","My dear child, \nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.","Say to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter \nM.","Richmond \n30 Jan.","My dear wife, \nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.","I'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.","The \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.","I have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.","I know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming. \nYr Aft M","Did Jno get the money Dave collected for him?","Richmond \n1 May 1862","Dear Corbin: \nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you. \nIn haste \nYrs MFM","The examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.","Richmond \n4 May `62","Jas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.","It is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.","A letter from Dick - all well.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.","Richmond Virginia \n5 May","Dear Corbin: \nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.","In haste yrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n24 May","Dear Corbin: \nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you. \nYrs. in haste","1 June '62","Dear Corbin, \nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.","My admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n5th June 1862","Dear Corbin, \nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.","Yrs. M.","19th June","Dear Corbin: \nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.","Dick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.","I [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.","July 14 (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.","Thanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license. \nYrs. truly \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n19 July","Dear Corbin: \nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.","I write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will. \nYrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \nExchange Hotel \nRoom No 12 \n29 July (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026 we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –","Yrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","Exchange Hotel - No 12 \n30 July","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Bowdon England \n1 May 63","Dear Corbin: \nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.","I now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.","Can't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026 then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.","Wilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.","I am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.","Bobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026 [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.","So I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.","Please let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.","Explain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026 L. as I had it not.","Where is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.","This is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.","Send also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.","Yrs. truly \nMF","I go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.","London England \n7 July 1863","My dear Nannie: \nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.","The small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.","Bowdon (England)  \n4 Aug 1863","My dear no. \"dos\", \nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.","Just before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.","Another batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.","You see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.","Let us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?","I say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.","I send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.","Kiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-","England \nFeb. 15, `64","My dear \"Nig\": \nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.","Yesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"","S-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.","Your Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.","4 March 6 p.m.","My dear Wellford: \nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.","Brave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs","Bowdon, England \n4 Aug. `64","My dear N: \nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.","I send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.","The first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.","I went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.","Brave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026 S.F.M. and all hands.","The Parsonage \nBelsize Park \nLondon, N.W. [England] \n30 Dec 64","My dear Corbin, \nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both \nYrs afty M. Fontaine","The Parsonage \n[Belsize Park \nLondon, N.W., England] \n3 Feb. 65","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you. \nYr. aft. M. Fontaine","Off San Domingo \n19 May 1865","My dear Sir: \nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.","I was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.","The best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.","I wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!","Important from Mexico \nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:","Article 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.","Article 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.","Article 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.","Article 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.","Article 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.","Article 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.","Article 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.","Article 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.","Article 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.","Article 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.","Given at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian","To the Minister of Improvement. \nBy the Emperor, \nManuel Orozco y Berra, \nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement","Regulations \nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:","1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.","2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.","3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.","4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.","5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.","6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.","7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.","8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.","9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.","10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.","11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.","12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.","13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.","14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.","15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.","Given at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian \nTo the Minister of Improvement \nBy the Emperor: \nManuel Orozco y Berra \nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.","The following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury] \nSeptember 11th 1865.","1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:","2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:","3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-","4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.","5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.","6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.","7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.","8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.","Immigration \n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.","10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026 B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.","11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.","12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.","13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.","14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.","15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.","16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.","17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.","18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.","19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.","Agencies \n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.","21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.","Permits \n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.","Effects. \n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.","24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.","Apprentices \n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.","27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.","[verso] Regulations \u0026 Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:","The Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.","The shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.","It is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.","Its climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.","The seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.","In the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.","Between the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.","Ascending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.","The surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.","The staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.","There is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.","The forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.","The population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.","Agricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.","Owing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. ","The Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","An able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.","The Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.","It will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.","City of Mexico \n11 Sept. 1865 \n(signed) M. F. Maury","fr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.","To Mr. S.W. Corbin \nOffice of Colonization \n13 Calle San Juan de Letran \nMexico 31 Oct 1865","My dear Corbin \nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-","I am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.","I have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.","As to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.","Mexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.","I am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.","Yours affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.","Office of Colonization \nMexico \nNov. 27th 1865","My dear wife: \nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.","I reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-","My own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-","The rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.","I was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.","Therefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.","In this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—","Now then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –","Another thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.","Hey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—","Dick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-","Here, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. ","Price, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-","When slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.","Thus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.","Lafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.","Now if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.","[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ] \nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026 if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.","Mexico \n30 Nov. 1865","My dear Nannie, \nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.","I wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.","Is the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.","Send this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.","God bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope. \nYr affectionate father, M.F.","Reasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.","1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.","2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.","3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.","Those persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.","Mexico \n7 Dec. 1865","My dear sweet brave Nannie: \nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.","About yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.","Suppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.","F.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.","And then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.","I am glad you had the Decrees \u0026 c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+","The final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.","10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.","This is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.","Jack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.","Yr aft. \nM.F.","An offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.","These lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.","The proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate: \nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75 \n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50 \n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25 \n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00","The first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.","When the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.","The payments shall be made in the following manner: \nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.","As villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.","The surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.","City of Mexico \nDec 9th 1865-","Colonization Office \n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico \nDec 10th 1865","The Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner","Apprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.","M.F. Maury \nImperial Commissioner","Mexico \n1 Jan 1866","My dear Corbin, \nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.","It will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.","You mention the \"ifs \u0026 ifs \u0026 ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.","I have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night \nYrs \nMaury","Sue \u0026 pip send words of New Years calls \u0026 gifts. They are great belles.","Send to Betty \u0026 Will \nThere's only this one copy \nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie","\"To her Majesty The Empress. \nMadam: \nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.","It has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.","The times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.","The revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.","Another step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.","Another pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]","As an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.","Another pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.","These measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties","M.F. Maury \nJanuary 18th 1866. \nImperial Commissioner","Cuernavaca, January 29th 1866","My dear Sir: \nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.","Hoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain","Yours sincerely, \nCharlotte","Mexico \n2 Feb. 1866","My dear children: \nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.","I leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.","You see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].","Colonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.","I have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.","I think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all, \nYr. affectionate M.F.","mail to Will or Corbin \nHavana Arrived 9","Veracruz, Mexico \n1 March 1866","My dear Children \nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.","I left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.","We entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026 everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026 a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.","Dick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026 both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026 c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.","My letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026 Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026 help the enemy to establish his power \u0026 complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026 have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026 them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026 their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026 such like Yankee innovations \u0026 that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.","Paris \n21 May 1866","My dear Corbin: \nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.","The banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026 more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.","My last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.","No sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.","All the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026 deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026 children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026 not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026 fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026 sleepy. God bless you both, yrs. \nM. F.","11 Aug. 1866","My dear Corbin, \nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026 it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.","In the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026 opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks. \nYr aft M.F.M.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n9 Dec. 1866","My dear Nannie, \nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026 would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026 his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.","It's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone. \nFirst to help you \u0026 him with a little left. \n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026 papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate. \n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor. \n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026 him.","I hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026 will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n19 May 1867","Dear Corbin, \nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.","But for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026 Rutson's \u0026 Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026 is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026 in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026 the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026 his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026 the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026 the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026 that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026 black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026 [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.","Many changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026 boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.","I have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love, \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","My love to [Sandy Little]","May 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]","No. 3 Belsize Square \n22 Sept 1867","Dear Corbin- \nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026 some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026 c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026 the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026 pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026 everywhere. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","3 Belsize Square. \nLondon N.W. \n29 Jany '68","Dear Corbin, \nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.","You have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026 that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026 look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026 whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","Belsize Square \nLondon, N.W. \n8 Feb. `68","Dear Corbin, \nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury","3 Belsize Sq'r \nLondon N.W. \n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]","Dear Corbin, \nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","No. 3 Belsize Sqr \nLondon N.W. \n25 Ap'l 68","Dear Corbin, \nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.","Elie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026 E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n13 May '68","My dear Corbin, \nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?","`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.","I am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026 c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","Liverpool \n2 July 1868","Dear Corbin, \nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows. \nYrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","The last! and no mistake.","Liverpool 2nd July \nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-","We have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.","All well, and weather superb. \nYours \nM.F. Maury","[Note by Rutson Maury] \n13th July—","Monday night.- \nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-","I got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-","Richmond \n3 Aug '68","Dear Corbin, \nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026 just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026 for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.","Chas thinks \u0026 so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026 y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026 the girls- We as guests.","All well- Love to N. the children \u0026 the H's.","Yrs \nM.F. Maury.","Richmond \n8 Aug 1868","Dear Nannie, \nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026 Eliza both under the weather which is very hot","Rockbridge Baths \n4 Sep. 1868","Dear Nannie, \nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026 Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.","Dabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026 circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026 c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026 Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father. \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n22 Sept '68","Dear Corbin, \nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026 Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.","Saw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.","Be sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026 corn- oats \u0026 c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n4 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026 Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?","Dick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026 fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.","Cal wheat is a larger grain \u0026 therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?","That's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck. \nLove to N \u0026 the [children]. \nYrs, M.","Richmond \n11 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026 be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026 tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.","Dying to see you, \nyrs affectionately \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n3 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026 [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.","I hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026 you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026 your house too.","So from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.","The girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026 Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026 I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.","Yrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n11 Dec. '68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026 horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026 then it must be divided \u0026 your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026 you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n23 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026 then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.","Lucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.","I went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n8 Jany `69","Dear Corbin, \nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026 E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.","The silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is. \nLove to Nannie \nYrs M.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n14 January 1869","Dear Corbin, \nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.","I hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026.","The Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.","Indeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.","If W. \u0026 E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].","This is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n29 Jan. `69","Dear Corbin, \nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.","It seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.","Isn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n1 Feb `69","Dear Corbin, \nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:","I am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026 improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026 E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well. \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","I send you ten more pamphlets.","Richmond , Va \n16 Feb. 1869","Dear Corbin, \nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.","I understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.","W. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.","The Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n20 Apr `69","Dear Corbin, \nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026 E. Please let me know all about. In haste, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n30 Ap'l '69","Dear Corbin, \nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.","Yrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026 [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.","It is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026 West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati \n[and-]. \nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026 find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026 the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.","Packing up for VMI.","I am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026 Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026 the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"","All well and send love \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n22 May 1869","Dear Corbin, \nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026 Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.","Please you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026 including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.","Brave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026 report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.","Yr Aft. \nP.T.O. M.F. Maury","[verso] \nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'","V.M.I. \n17 June `69","Dear Corbin, \nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.","In re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026 c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026 c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026 Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026 pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026 a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026 c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026 the mattress should not be sent till then.","Rutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026 the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.","The Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.","Which way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026 Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.","I am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026 return it. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nSeptember 1st '69","Dear Corbin, \nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026 to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026 the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.","Nannie \u0026 Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026 now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.","All well \u0026 send love.","V.M.I. 9th/9/'69","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.","So here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026 canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026 don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.","I wish you would get from him \u0026 have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026 have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026 so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026 to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026 the children all well.","Betty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday. \nyrs M.F. Maury","N.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-","[On reverse of second sheet] \n\"Messrs Paten \u0026 Co \nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026 price. \nYrs, \nR.P. Richardson","V.M.I. \n10 Sept. 1869","Dear Corbin, \n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M. I. \nLexington, VA \n16 Sept. '69","Dear Corbin, \nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026 consignment O.K. Thanks-","Nannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026 my nerves distressingly 'shaky'. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington, VA \n20/12/69","My dear Corbin, \nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.","Please jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026 should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","VMI \n4th March 1870","Dear Corbin, \nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000. \nIn haste \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nApril 6th \n1871","Dear Corbin- \nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.","My aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.","Tell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026 Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026 I don't hear them say a word about going down.","Heavy rain last night. In haste yours truly, \nM.F. Maury \n(pr M.H.M.)","[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026 will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month","V.M.Institute \nJuly 26th 1871","Dear Nannie, \nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.","I returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026 Elie to the White \u0026 Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.","My going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026 filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.","The Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026 therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026 professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026 white radicals \u0026 all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026 then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.","These matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026 to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.","The earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.","It appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026 means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.","They were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.","My plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"","I did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026 Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.","Kisses to the children \u0026 love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone, \nM.M.","V.M.I. Lexington Va. \nAugust 9th 1871 \nS.W. Corbin Esqr. \nFredericksburg Va","Dear Corbin \nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.","We expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]","I am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.","In haste yours, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. Lexington VA \n17th Aug 1871","Dear Corbin, \nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026 let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.","The Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026 the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.","The funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026 have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.","Ask Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026 7 Crosby Street \u0026 enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026 if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026 ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026 take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026 tell them he's a-coming.","You must be sure \u0026 come to fetch Nannie back \nYours truly","V.M.I. 23 Sept '71","Dear Corbin, \nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.","We had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.","Elie Lucy \u0026 I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026 the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026 at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026 is a great pet.","Tell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.","The weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026 Lucy.","Yrs. truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington \n11 Nov. 71","My dear Nannie, \nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].","We got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026 the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026 piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.","Sally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.","I begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"","Crit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026 Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026 Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren. \nYrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871","My dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-","You just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026 the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026 Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026 the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026 rainy \u0026 hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026 Nanna 20 cts \u0026 Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.","She's to keep the rest","And do the best-","Can you write poetry?","Tell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.","I have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026 see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026 that helps to make her sick.","You all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!","Here comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026 Ma and sister \u0026 your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name? \nYour affectionate friend. \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 1 March (1872)","My dear Corbin, \nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026 the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026 if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.","If you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].","When is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026 in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026 Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.","Tell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026 send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.","\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003eIf Sandy publish- send me a few extras.","V.M.I. 27 March '72","Dear Corbin, \nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].","Tell Nana \u0026 the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?","Tell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026 so her course\nis downward ho!","This is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all \nyrs. M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 Apl '72","My dear Nannie, \nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026 all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026 stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026 your dear yankees.","That's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026 J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.","And can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter. \nJIM BIT A FOX \nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].","I've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026 all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".","There is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?","Mat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026 my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026 teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026 altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026 my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026 calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026 I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026 the children \nyr aft M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 Apl '72","My dear Corbin, \nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026 happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026 the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026 shut easily \u0026 without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026 has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?","Could the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?","I send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026 catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026 60 N. Your Pa will show you. \nAll well and send love yrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.","I have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026 where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way. \nyrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 12 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026 sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.","I expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.","Thanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 May '72","My dear Children, \nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.","C.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.","We have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026 his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026 we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.","Tell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026 whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026 see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","St. Louis \n30 May '72","My dear wife, \nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her. \nYrs M.F.","St. Chas. Co. Mo. \n1 June 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026 Nannie say 50 hours. \nyrs in haste, M.F.M.","send to my wife","V.M.I. 19 June '72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026 Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 24 July (1872)","Dear Corbin \nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026 the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026 I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.","Don't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].","Better come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026 Fredericksburg chills out of you. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","Knoxville Tenn. \nSunday Aug 11 (1872)","My dear wife, \nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026 in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026 Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026 [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026 when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026 stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026 his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!","The trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.","I think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.","Love \u0026 kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you] \n[Yr.] M.","V.M.I. 4 Sep. 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.","I have sent R.H. Maury \u0026 Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.","They are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026 Betty tonight. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 8 Sept. 72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.","I reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.","I congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.","What do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.","I mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026 there, the south is as there stated going downhill.","Elie \u0026 I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat. \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","New York (Jim's) \n15 Sept '72","My dear wife, \nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026 sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026 crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026 send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026 Mary \u0026 all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.","[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury) \nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026 Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026 a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026 cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026 I have a room together \u0026 she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026 every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026 says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026 so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026 ornaments are their own \u0026 there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026 things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?","Give my love to everyone \u0026 kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026 gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026 I haven't got one \u0026 my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.","St. Louis. 10th Oct 1872","My dear Corbin, \nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026 propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know. \nYours- M.F. Maury \nper E.M.","The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.","In addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n Lecture series Career at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C. Confederate service in Richmond, Virginia Activities in England Colonization efforts in Mexico Professorship at VMI    \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.","This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.","Written from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.","In the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.","Written from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.","Written from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.","Writtenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.","Written from London, England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.","Written from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Letter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Letter regards family news.","Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.","Written from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.","Written from England. Letter regards family news.","Written from England. Lette regards general family news.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.","Written from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.","Contemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.","Copy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.","Written from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.","Copy by Rutson Maury, with notations.","Written from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Letter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.","Letter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from the Colonization Office, Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.","Written from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.","Copy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.","Written from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.","Written from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.","Written from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.","Written from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.","Written from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.","Written from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information","Manuscripts Stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"collection_ssim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creator_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creators_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["175 items"],"extent_tesim":["175 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable \u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15821coll6\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable  online ."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMatthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMaury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBeginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAt War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. ","Maury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. ","Beginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.","A native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.","At War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.","The last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873."],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Fredericksburg Va \n10 Nov 1840","My dear Mother, \nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026 with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026 parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026 we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026 in the saving of labor \u0026 trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.","'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026 is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026 is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026 cats than in\narranging plants \u0026 flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026 grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026 some sponge cake.\"","Aunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026 fevers, \u0026 after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026 besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026 I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026 `the boy.'","The political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026 New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026 from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026 that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026 elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026 Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.","Nannie, the children \u0026 all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026 to all the kith \u0026 kin. \nYour affectionate son, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n6 Feb 1857","My dear Sir, \nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.","The 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.","This will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.","In the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026 study.","Very truly yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Sir! \nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.","I trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.","Believe me Sir \nYours truly \nFerdinand Maximilian \nArch Duke of Austria","Milan \nDec the 10 1857","Observatory \n9 May 1858","My Dear Nannie, \nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.","Our hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.","After church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.","There is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.","I would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.","Then too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.","I am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.","Did you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.","You and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad \nM. F. Maury","[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.] \n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]","Observatory \n31 May 1858","My dear Nannie, \nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026 left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026 [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026 [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026 a nice girl \u0026 that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026 Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026 where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026 where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-","I am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026 [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026 the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.","Your Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026 he has got well. Mit \u0026 Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026 son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026 Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.","White Sulphur \n15 Aug '58","My dear wife, \nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson. \nI want to go home. \nLove to Sr E and all the children \nWhere is Betty?","[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]","Observatory \nWashington \n12 Sept 1858","My dear Nannie \nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?","The General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.","I have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin. \nYour aff daddy \nM F Maury","[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]","Observatory \nWashington \nSunday night 3 Oct 58","My dear Nannie, \nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026 announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026 smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.","Betty \u0026 the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026 Ellen spent the day with us \u0026 your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026 goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026 Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026 yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026 takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026 correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026 the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026 help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026 rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.","Goodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.","Rochester New York \n18 Nov 1858","My dear wife, \nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026 in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026 with music \u0026 banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026 that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026 so on to Chicago.","Now how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026 Totts \u0026 Glum \u0026 Dave \u0026 the Boy \u0026 Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft. \nM.F.","Chicago, \n20 Nov. 1858","My dear wife, \nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.","There was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026 when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026 left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026 reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.","I told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.","Where's my Betty \u0026 where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.","Mrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.","I find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026 c.","The weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026 tell me you all are well \u0026 happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026 Lizinka \u0026 Lucy \u0026 the Boy to put their heads together \u0026 tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026 I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026 Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026 [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.","God bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home. \nyr- M.F.","Kalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?","I had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.","Betty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway. \nLove to all yrs \nM.","Chicago \n27 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026 La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026 raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.","2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026 storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026 turn off- House full.","Here is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026 have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026 far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children. \nyour affectionate. \nM.F. Maury","Chicago Ill \n28 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.","I am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's. \nGod bless you \nYour aff \nM F Maury","Cleveland \n1 Dec (1858)","My dear Nannie, \nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026 say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026 Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time. \nGod bless you \nyr. afft. Daddy","Cleveland \n1 Dec 1858","My dear wife: \nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.","There was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026 all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.","Last Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026 go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026 what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026 would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026 Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026 Buffalo 10 \u0026 13, I reckon.","Betty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".","I send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft. \nM.F. Maury","[Postscript] \nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026 leave my card everywhere.","St. Louis Mo. \n6 Dec. 1858","My dear wife, \nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026 Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.","The good night's rest last night \u0026 the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.","Bless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026 the children, \u0026 the books \u0026 the lessons-","Lecture time- \nGood night, yr, M","Observatory \nFeb 17, 1859","Dear Nannie, \nWe miss you every day, \u0026 invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].","We have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in \nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -  (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-  Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026 naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled \nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.","4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4' \n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026 sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026 Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"","Half soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026 A is flat- Find it out \u0026 get the [pun].","The Aubicks \u0026 the Roys invite you \u0026 Mr. Corbin to parties.","Jeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026 you.","Observatory \n16 Mar `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.","Mr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026 will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026 Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father \nMFM","Observatory \n22 March `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.","Love to Mr. C. Afft. \nM.F.M.","Observatory \n23 March 59","My dear Nannie \nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.","Your Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.","This is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them. \nYr M.","Observatory \n12 Apr '59","My dear Wife \nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026 S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.","Stopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026 Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.","Kiss her \u0026 Lucy \u0026 love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026 his father, Brodies \u0026 his'n, Jno \u0026 his'n, Saint \u0026 her'n.","Good bye - yr aft. husband \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \nAp'l 14, '59","My dear Daughter, \nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026 Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026 Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026 I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!","My \"Brave\" is very well \u0026 happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-","The Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.","Love to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026 buss yr Ma. [ ] \n[ ] yrs \naff Dad","Observatory, Washington \nApl 16, '59","My dear Wellford, \nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.","If there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.","Dabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.","Yrs sincerely \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n19 Apl '59","My dear wife, \nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them. \nA letter from Frank - none from you.","All well and send love \nYr aft [friend] \nM.F.M.","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Apl '59","My dear sweet little Nannie, \nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026 all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.","I finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026 he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.","Come down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026 egg plants, oh \u0026 every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.","Lucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.","God bless you all \nyrs aft \nDad M","4 July '59","My dear Corbin, \nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026 Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026 both enjoying the visit very much.","A letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026 evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.","Persons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026 looked after in manners \u0026 ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026 bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.","From the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026 bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026 then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.","Give her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026 affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026 making us very proud.","They have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026 Agricultural science \u0026 offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n16 Nov. 1859","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.","What follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026 Dave. Totts \u0026 Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026 all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026 sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you. \nYr. \nM.F. Maury.","Observatory \nWashington \n5 Feb 1860","My dear Nannie: \nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026 Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning. \nGood night. Your aft. Dad, \nM. F. Maury.","[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)] \nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.","Observatory \n14 March 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.","I am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.","What does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-","Give my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail. \nAffectionately yrs \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n17 Apl 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.","Lewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-","I think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026 Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.","Think you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.","Is not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026 J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?","All well \u0026 good here. In haste. Yrs truly, \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n12 May 60","My dear Nannie, \nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.","The children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.","Yr aft father \nM.F. Maury","Telegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.","Send this to Nannie.","Observatory \nJuly 9, 1860","My dear Nannie, \nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.","You said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.","Next week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.","Betty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.","See a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S. \nKiss everybody \nyour Dad, in haste -","[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her \nin haste \nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}","Observatory \n6 Aug. '60","My dear wife \nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.","Tell Jno \u0026 Brodie \u0026 Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026 Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026 Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.","Thursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","If the boys \u0026 Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?","Observatory \nOct 1, 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.","You are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.","I am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.","I leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.","I understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026 all hands","Yrs truly \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Oct 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026 you, so I wrote him \u0026 sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.","Political affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026 negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026 wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026 me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026 will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.","If you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026 let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026 tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.","Goodbye \nYrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Perhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026 negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.","London \n21 Nov '60","My dear wife, \nYesterday \u0026 the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.","God bless you, \nM","Steamer New York \nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860","My dear Nannie \nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.","Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026 I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026 they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026 she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.","If you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026 \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026 tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.","When will you \u0026 Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026 c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026 her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026 asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026 confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands. \nyr Dad.","Richmond \n25 Apl 1861","My dear Wellford, \nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026 potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026 c. \nIn great haste. yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Don't come","Richmond \n27 Apl 1861","My dear wife- \nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026 sound.","I look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026 Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.","Kiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you. \nYr M","Tell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.","Richmond \n18 May 1861","My dear Corbin, \nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.","You did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.","If you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.","So far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026 tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026 marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026 boys between 15 \u0026 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026 useful service that the times offer to us.","This too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026 private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026 help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026 then do the best you can.","Tom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.  Yrs, M.F. Maury.","Richmond \n20 June `61","Dear Corbin, \nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:","I heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.","As to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.","Thus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.","I am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.","Love to Nannie \nyrs M.F. Maury","The Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.","Richmond \n18 July 1861","My dear wife, \nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.","I shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026 join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.","Hollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026 Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.","There are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026 c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.","Now you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you \nM.F.M.","Charlottesville, Va: Ridgway \n18 Sept 1861","My dear Nannie, \nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest. \nYr. Dad.","Richmond \n20 Nov 1861","My dear wife \nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.","Tom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.","Nan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.","The hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.","Miss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.","How are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.","Yr. affectionate, M.F. Maury","Richmond \n9 Dec `61","Dear Corbin, \nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.","Dave is off in the morning.","Love to Nannie, \nYrs. in haste \nM.F. Maury","Send it to C.","For Nannie \nPrivate \u0026 Confidential \nDec. 9.1861","My dear child, \nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.","Say to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter \nM.","Richmond \n30 Jan.","My dear wife, \nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.","I'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.","The \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.","I have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.","I know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming. \nYr Aft M","Did Jno get the money Dave collected for him?","Richmond \n1 May 1862","Dear Corbin: \nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you. \nIn haste \nYrs MFM","The examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.","Richmond \n4 May `62","Jas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.","It is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.","A letter from Dick - all well.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.","Richmond Virginia \n5 May","Dear Corbin: \nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.","In haste yrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n24 May","Dear Corbin: \nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you. \nYrs. in haste","1 June '62","Dear Corbin, \nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.","My admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n5th June 1862","Dear Corbin, \nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.","Yrs. M.","19th June","Dear Corbin: \nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.","Dick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.","I [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.","July 14 (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.","Thanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license. \nYrs. truly \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n19 July","Dear Corbin: \nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.","I write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will. \nYrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \nExchange Hotel \nRoom No 12 \n29 July (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026 we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –","Yrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","Exchange Hotel - No 12 \n30 July","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Bowdon England \n1 May 63","Dear Corbin: \nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.","I now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.","Can't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026 then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.","Wilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.","I am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.","Bobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026 [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.","So I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.","Please let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.","Explain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026 L. as I had it not.","Where is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.","This is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.","Send also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.","Yrs. truly \nMF","I go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.","London England \n7 July 1863","My dear Nannie: \nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.","The small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.","Bowdon (England)  \n4 Aug 1863","My dear no. \"dos\", \nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.","Just before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.","Another batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.","You see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.","Let us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?","I say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.","I send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.","Kiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-","England \nFeb. 15, `64","My dear \"Nig\": \nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.","Yesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"","S-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.","Your Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.","4 March 6 p.m.","My dear Wellford: \nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.","Brave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs","Bowdon, England \n4 Aug. `64","My dear N: \nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.","I send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.","The first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.","I went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.","Brave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026 S.F.M. and all hands.","The Parsonage \nBelsize Park \nLondon, N.W. [England] \n30 Dec 64","My dear Corbin, \nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both \nYrs afty M. Fontaine","The Parsonage \n[Belsize Park \nLondon, N.W., England] \n3 Feb. 65","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you. \nYr. aft. M. Fontaine","Off San Domingo \n19 May 1865","My dear Sir: \nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.","I was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.","The best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.","I wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!","Important from Mexico \nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:","Article 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.","Article 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.","Article 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.","Article 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.","Article 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.","Article 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.","Article 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.","Article 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.","Article 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.","Article 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.","Given at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian","To the Minister of Improvement. \nBy the Emperor, \nManuel Orozco y Berra, \nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement","Regulations \nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:","1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.","2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.","3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.","4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.","5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.","6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.","7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.","8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.","9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.","10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.","11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.","12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.","13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.","14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.","15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.","Given at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian \nTo the Minister of Improvement \nBy the Emperor: \nManuel Orozco y Berra \nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.","The following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury] \nSeptember 11th 1865.","1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:","2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:","3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-","4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.","5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.","6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.","7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.","8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.","Immigration \n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.","10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026 B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.","11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.","12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.","13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.","14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.","15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.","16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.","17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.","18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.","19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.","Agencies \n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.","21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.","Permits \n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.","Effects. \n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.","24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.","Apprentices \n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.","27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.","[verso] Regulations \u0026 Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:","The Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.","The shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.","It is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.","Its climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.","The seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.","In the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.","Between the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.","Ascending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.","The surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.","The staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.","There is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.","The forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.","The population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.","Agricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.","Owing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. ","The Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","An able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.","The Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.","It will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.","City of Mexico \n11 Sept. 1865 \n(signed) M. F. Maury","fr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.","To Mr. S.W. Corbin \nOffice of Colonization \n13 Calle San Juan de Letran \nMexico 31 Oct 1865","My dear Corbin \nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-","I am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.","I have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.","As to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.","Mexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.","I am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.","Yours affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.","Office of Colonization \nMexico \nNov. 27th 1865","My dear wife: \nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.","I reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-","My own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-","The rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.","I was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.","Therefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.","In this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—","Now then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –","Another thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.","Hey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—","Dick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-","Here, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. ","Price, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-","When slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.","Thus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.","Lafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.","Now if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.","[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ] \nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026 if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.","Mexico \n30 Nov. 1865","My dear Nannie, \nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.","I wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.","Is the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.","Send this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.","God bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope. \nYr affectionate father, M.F.","Reasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.","1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.","2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.","3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.","Those persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.","Mexico \n7 Dec. 1865","My dear sweet brave Nannie: \nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.","About yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.","Suppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.","F.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.","And then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.","I am glad you had the Decrees \u0026 c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+","The final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.","10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.","This is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.","Jack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.","Yr aft. \nM.F.","An offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.","These lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.","The proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate: \nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75 \n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50 \n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25 \n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00","The first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.","When the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.","The payments shall be made in the following manner: \nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.","As villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.","The surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.","City of Mexico \nDec 9th 1865-","Colonization Office \n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico \nDec 10th 1865","The Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner","Apprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.","M.F. Maury \nImperial Commissioner","Mexico \n1 Jan 1866","My dear Corbin, \nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.","It will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.","You mention the \"ifs \u0026 ifs \u0026 ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.","I have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night \nYrs \nMaury","Sue \u0026 pip send words of New Years calls \u0026 gifts. They are great belles.","Send to Betty \u0026 Will \nThere's only this one copy \nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie","\"To her Majesty The Empress. \nMadam: \nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.","It has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.","The times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.","The revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.","Another step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.","Another pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]","As an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.","Another pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.","These measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties","M.F. Maury \nJanuary 18th 1866. \nImperial Commissioner","Cuernavaca, January 29th 1866","My dear Sir: \nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.","Hoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain","Yours sincerely, \nCharlotte","Mexico \n2 Feb. 1866","My dear children: \nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.","I leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.","You see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].","Colonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.","I have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.","I think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all, \nYr. affectionate M.F.","mail to Will or Corbin \nHavana Arrived 9","Veracruz, Mexico \n1 March 1866","My dear Children \nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.","I left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.","We entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026 everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026 a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.","Dick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026 both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026 c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.","My letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026 Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026 help the enemy to establish his power \u0026 complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026 have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026 them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026 their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026 such like Yankee innovations \u0026 that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.","Paris \n21 May 1866","My dear Corbin: \nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.","The banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026 more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.","My last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.","No sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.","All the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026 deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026 children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026 not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026 fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026 sleepy. God bless you both, yrs. \nM. F.","11 Aug. 1866","My dear Corbin, \nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026 it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.","In the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026 opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks. \nYr aft M.F.M.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n9 Dec. 1866","My dear Nannie, \nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026 would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026 his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.","It's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone. \nFirst to help you \u0026 him with a little left. \n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026 papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate. \n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor. \n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026 him.","I hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026 will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n19 May 1867","Dear Corbin, \nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.","But for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026 Rutson's \u0026 Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026 is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026 in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026 the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026 his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026 the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026 the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026 that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026 black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026 [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.","Many changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026 boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.","I have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love, \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","My love to [Sandy Little]","May 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]","No. 3 Belsize Square \n22 Sept 1867","Dear Corbin- \nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026 some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026 c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026 the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026 pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026 everywhere. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","3 Belsize Square. \nLondon N.W. \n29 Jany '68","Dear Corbin, \nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.","You have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026 that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026 look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026 whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","Belsize Square \nLondon, N.W. \n8 Feb. `68","Dear Corbin, \nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury","3 Belsize Sq'r \nLondon N.W. \n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]","Dear Corbin, \nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","No. 3 Belsize Sqr \nLondon N.W. \n25 Ap'l 68","Dear Corbin, \nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.","Elie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026 E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n13 May '68","My dear Corbin, \nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?","`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.","I am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026 c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","Liverpool \n2 July 1868","Dear Corbin, \nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows. \nYrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","The last! and no mistake.","Liverpool 2nd July \nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-","We have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.","All well, and weather superb. \nYours \nM.F. Maury","[Note by Rutson Maury] \n13th July—","Monday night.- \nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-","I got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-","Richmond \n3 Aug '68","Dear Corbin, \nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026 just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026 for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.","Chas thinks \u0026 so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026 y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026 the girls- We as guests.","All well- Love to N. the children \u0026 the H's.","Yrs \nM.F. Maury.","Richmond \n8 Aug 1868","Dear Nannie, \nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026 Eliza both under the weather which is very hot","Rockbridge Baths \n4 Sep. 1868","Dear Nannie, \nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026 Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.","Dabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026 circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026 c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026 Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father. \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n22 Sept '68","Dear Corbin, \nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026 Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.","Saw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.","Be sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026 corn- oats \u0026 c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n4 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026 Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?","Dick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026 fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.","Cal wheat is a larger grain \u0026 therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?","That's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck. \nLove to N \u0026 the [children]. \nYrs, M.","Richmond \n11 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026 be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026 tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.","Dying to see you, \nyrs affectionately \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n3 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026 [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.","I hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026 you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026 your house too.","So from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.","The girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026 Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026 I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.","Yrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n11 Dec. '68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026 horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026 then it must be divided \u0026 your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026 you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n23 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026 then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.","Lucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.","I went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n8 Jany `69","Dear Corbin, \nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026 E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.","The silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is. \nLove to Nannie \nYrs M.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n14 January 1869","Dear Corbin, \nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.","I hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026.","The Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.","Indeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.","If W. \u0026 E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].","This is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n29 Jan. `69","Dear Corbin, \nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.","It seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.","Isn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n1 Feb `69","Dear Corbin, \nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:","I am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026 improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026 E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well. \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","I send you ten more pamphlets.","Richmond , Va \n16 Feb. 1869","Dear Corbin, \nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.","I understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.","W. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.","The Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n20 Apr `69","Dear Corbin, \nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026 E. Please let me know all about. In haste, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n30 Ap'l '69","Dear Corbin, \nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.","Yrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026 [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.","It is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026 West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati \n[and-]. \nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026 find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026 the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.","Packing up for VMI.","I am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026 Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026 the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"","All well and send love \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n22 May 1869","Dear Corbin, \nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026 Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.","Please you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026 including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.","Brave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026 report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.","Yr Aft. \nP.T.O. M.F. Maury","[verso] \nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'","V.M.I. \n17 June `69","Dear Corbin, \nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.","In re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026 c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026 c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026 Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026 pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026 a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026 c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026 the mattress should not be sent till then.","Rutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026 the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.","The Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.","Which way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026 Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.","I am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026 return it. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nSeptember 1st '69","Dear Corbin, \nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026 to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026 the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.","Nannie \u0026 Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026 now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.","All well \u0026 send love.","V.M.I. 9th/9/'69","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.","So here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026 canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026 don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.","I wish you would get from him \u0026 have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026 have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026 so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026 to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026 the children all well.","Betty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday. \nyrs M.F. Maury","N.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-","[On reverse of second sheet] \n\"Messrs Paten \u0026 Co \nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026 price. \nYrs, \nR.P. Richardson","V.M.I. \n10 Sept. 1869","Dear Corbin, \n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M. I. \nLexington, VA \n16 Sept. '69","Dear Corbin, \nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026 consignment O.K. Thanks-","Nannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026 my nerves distressingly 'shaky'. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington, VA \n20/12/69","My dear Corbin, \nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.","Please jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026 should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","VMI \n4th March 1870","Dear Corbin, \nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000. \nIn haste \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nApril 6th \n1871","Dear Corbin- \nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.","My aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.","Tell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026 Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026 I don't hear them say a word about going down.","Heavy rain last night. In haste yours truly, \nM.F. Maury \n(pr M.H.M.)","[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026 will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month","V.M.Institute \nJuly 26th 1871","Dear Nannie, \nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.","I returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026 Elie to the White \u0026 Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.","My going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026 filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.","The Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026 therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026 professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026 white radicals \u0026 all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026 then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.","These matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026 to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.","The earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.","It appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026 means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.","They were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.","My plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"","I did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026 Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.","Kisses to the children \u0026 love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone, \nM.M.","V.M.I. Lexington Va. \nAugust 9th 1871 \nS.W. Corbin Esqr. \nFredericksburg Va","Dear Corbin \nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.","We expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]","I am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.","In haste yours, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. Lexington VA \n17th Aug 1871","Dear Corbin, \nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026 let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.","The Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026 the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.","The funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026 have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.","Ask Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026 7 Crosby Street \u0026 enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026 if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026 ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026 take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026 tell them he's a-coming.","You must be sure \u0026 come to fetch Nannie back \nYours truly","V.M.I. 23 Sept '71","Dear Corbin, \nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.","We had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.","Elie Lucy \u0026 I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026 the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026 at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026 is a great pet.","Tell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.","The weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026 Lucy.","Yrs. truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington \n11 Nov. 71","My dear Nannie, \nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].","We got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026 the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026 piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.","Sally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.","I begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"","Crit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026 Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026 Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren. \nYrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871","My dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-","You just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026 the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026 Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026 the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026 rainy \u0026 hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026 Nanna 20 cts \u0026 Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.","She's to keep the rest","And do the best-","Can you write poetry?","Tell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.","I have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026 see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026 that helps to make her sick.","You all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!","Here comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026 Ma and sister \u0026 your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name? \nYour affectionate friend. \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 1 March (1872)","My dear Corbin, \nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026 the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026 if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.","If you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].","When is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026 in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026 Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.","Tell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026 send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.","\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003eIf Sandy publish- send me a few extras.","V.M.I. 27 March '72","Dear Corbin, \nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].","Tell Nana \u0026 the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?","Tell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026 so her course\nis downward ho!","This is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all \nyrs. M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 Apl '72","My dear Nannie, \nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026 all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026 stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026 your dear yankees.","That's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026 J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.","And can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter. \nJIM BIT A FOX \nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].","I've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026 all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".","There is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?","Mat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026 my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026 teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026 altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026 my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026 calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026 I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026 the children \nyr aft M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 Apl '72","My dear Corbin, \nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026 happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026 the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026 shut easily \u0026 without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026 has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?","Could the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?","I send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026 catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026 60 N. Your Pa will show you. \nAll well and send love yrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.","I have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026 where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way. \nyrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 12 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026 sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.","I expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.","Thanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 May '72","My dear Children, \nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.","C.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.","We have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026 his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026 we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.","Tell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026 whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026 see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","St. Louis \n30 May '72","My dear wife, \nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her. \nYrs M.F.","St. Chas. Co. Mo. \n1 June 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026 Nannie say 50 hours. \nyrs in haste, M.F.M.","send to my wife","V.M.I. 19 June '72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026 Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 24 July (1872)","Dear Corbin \nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026 the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026 I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.","Don't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].","Better come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026 Fredericksburg chills out of you. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","Knoxville Tenn. \nSunday Aug 11 (1872)","My dear wife, \nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026 in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026 Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026 [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026 when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026 stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026 his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!","The trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.","I think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.","Love \u0026 kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you] \n[Yr.] M.","V.M.I. 4 Sep. 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.","I have sent R.H. Maury \u0026 Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.","They are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026 Betty tonight. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 8 Sept. 72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.","I reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.","I congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.","What do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.","I mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026 there, the south is as there stated going downhill.","Elie \u0026 I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat. \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","New York (Jim's) \n15 Sept '72","My dear wife, \nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026 sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026 crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026 send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026 Mary \u0026 all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.","[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury) \nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026 Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026 a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026 cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026 I have a room together \u0026 she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026 every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026 says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026 so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026 ornaments are their own \u0026 there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026 things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?","Give my love to everyone \u0026 kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026 gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026 I haven't got one \u0026 my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.","St. Louis. 10th Oct 1872","My dear Corbin, \nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026 propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know. \nYours- M.F. Maury \nper E.M."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMatthew Fontaine Maury papers, MS 0103, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers, MS 0103, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLecture series\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareer at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfederate service in Richmond, Virginia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActivities in England\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColonization efforts in Mexico\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessorship at VMI\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e   \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWrittenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. Lette regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eContemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy by Rutson Maury, with notations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Colonization Office, Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.","In addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n Lecture series Career at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C. Confederate service in Richmond, Virginia Activities in England Colonization efforts in Mexico Professorship at VMI    \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.","This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.","Written from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.","In the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.","Written from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.","Written from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.","Writtenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.","Written from London, England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.","Written from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Letter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Letter regards family news.","Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.","Written from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.","Written from England. Letter regards family news.","Written from England. Lette regards general family news.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.","Written from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.","Contemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.","Copy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.","Written from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.","Copy by Rutson Maury, with notations.","Written from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Letter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.","Letter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from the Colonization Office, Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.","Written from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.","Copy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.","Written from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.","Written from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.","Written from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.","Written from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.","Written from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.","Written from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_fd2a03b38d0537639ba5d5a285e66e93\"\u003eManuscripts Stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts Stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867"],"persname_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"total_component_count_is":149,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:36.434Z","odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFredericksburg Va\u003cbr\u003e\n10 Nov 1840\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026amp; with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026amp; parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026amp; we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026amp; in the saving of labor \u0026amp; trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026amp; is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026amp; is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026amp; cats than in\narranging plants \u0026amp; flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026amp; grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026amp; some sponge cake.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026amp; fevers, \u0026amp; after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026amp; besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026amp; I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026amp; `the boy.'\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026amp; New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026amp; from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026amp; that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026amp; elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026amp; Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie, the children \u0026amp; all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026amp; to all the kith \u0026amp; kin.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Feb 1857\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026amp; study.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVery truly yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSir!\u003cbr\u003e\nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBelieve me Sir\u003cbr\u003e\nYours truly\u003cbr\u003e\nFerdinand Maximilian\u003cbr\u003e\nArch Duke of Austria\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMilan\u003cbr\u003e\nDec the 10 1857\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n9 May 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThen too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDid you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.]\u003cbr\u003e\n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n31 May 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026amp; left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026amp; [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026amp; [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026amp; a nice girl \u0026amp; that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026amp; where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026amp; where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026amp; [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026amp; the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026amp; he has got well. Mit \u0026amp; Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026amp; son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWhite Sulphur\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Aug '58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson.\u003cbr\u003e\nI want to go home.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to Sr E and all the children\u003cbr\u003e\nWhere is Betty?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n12 Sept 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour aff daddy\u003cbr\u003e\nM F Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday night 3 Oct 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026amp; announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026amp; smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty \u0026amp; the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026amp; Ellen spent the day with us \u0026amp; your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026amp; goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026amp; Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026amp; yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026amp; takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026amp; correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026amp; the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026amp; help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026amp; rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGoodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRochester New York\u003cbr\u003e\n18 Nov 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026amp; in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026amp; with music \u0026amp; banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026amp; that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026amp; so on to Chicago.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026amp; Totts \u0026amp; Glum \u0026amp; Dave \u0026amp; the Boy \u0026amp; Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago,\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Nov. 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026amp; when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026amp; left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026amp; reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere's my Betty \u0026amp; where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026amp; c.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026amp; tell me you all are well \u0026amp; happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026amp; Lizinka \u0026amp; Lucy \u0026amp; the Boy to put their heads together \u0026amp; tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026amp; I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026amp; Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026amp; [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home.\u003cbr\u003e\nyr- M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eKalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to all yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago\u003cbr\u003e\n27 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026amp; La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026amp; raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026amp; storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026amp; turn off- House full.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026amp; have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026amp; far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children.\u003cbr\u003e\nyour affectionate.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago Ill\u003cbr\u003e\n28 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nYour aff\u003cbr\u003e\nM F Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCleveland\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Dec (1858)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026amp; say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026amp; Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nyr. afft. Daddy\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCleveland\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Dec 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife:\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026amp; 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026amp; all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026amp; go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026amp; what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026amp; would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026amp; Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026amp; Buffalo 10 \u0026amp; 13, I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript]\u003cbr\u003e\nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026amp; leave my card everywhere.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis Mo.\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Dec. 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026amp; Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe good night's rest last night \u0026amp; the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026amp; the children, \u0026amp; the books \u0026amp; the lessons-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLecture time-\u003cbr\u003e\nGood night, yr, M\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nFeb 17, 1859\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe miss you every day, \u0026amp; invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in\u003cbr\u003e\nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -\u003cbr\u003e (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-\u003cbr\u003e Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026amp; naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled\u003cbr\u003e\nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026amp; 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4'\u003cbr\u003e\n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026amp; sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026amp; Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHalf soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026amp; A is flat- Find it out \u0026amp; get the [pun].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Aubicks \u0026amp; the Roys invite you \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin to parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026amp; you.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Mar `59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026amp; will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026amp; Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father\u003cbr\u003e\nMFM\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n22 March `59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026amp; 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Mr. C. Afft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n23 March 59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n12 Apr '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wife\u003cbr\u003e\nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026amp; S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eStopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026amp; Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss her \u0026amp; Lucy \u0026amp; love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026amp; his father, Brodies \u0026amp; his'n, Jno \u0026amp; his'n, Saint \u0026amp; her'n.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGood bye - yr aft. husband\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\nAp'l 14, '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Daughter,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026amp; Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026amp; Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026amp; I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy \"Brave\" is very well \u0026amp; happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026amp; buss yr Ma. [ ]\u003cbr\u003e\n[ ] yrs\u003cbr\u003e\naff Dad\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory, Washington\u003cbr\u003e\nApl 16, '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs sincerely\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n19 Apl '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them.\u003cbr\u003e\nA letter from Frank - none from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nYr aft [friend]\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Apl '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear sweet little Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026amp; all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026amp; 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026amp; he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCome down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026amp; egg plants, oh \u0026amp; every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you all\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs aft\u003cbr\u003e\nDad M\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e4 July '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026amp; Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026amp; both enjoying the visit very much.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026amp; evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePersons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026amp; looked after in manners \u0026amp; ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026amp; bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFrom the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026amp; bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026amp; then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026amp; affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026amp; making us very proud.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026amp; Agricultural science \u0026amp; offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Nov. 1859\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026amp; Dave. Totts \u0026amp; Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026amp; all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026amp; sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n5 Feb 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026amp; Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning.\u003cbr\u003e\nGood night. Your aft. Dad,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)]\u003cbr\u003e\nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n14 March 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail.\u003cbr\u003e\nAffectionately yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n17 Apl 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026amp; Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThink you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIs not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026amp; J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well \u0026amp; good here. In haste. Yrs truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n12 May 60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr aft father\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTelegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSend this to Nannie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 9, 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNext week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSee a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S.\u003cbr\u003e\nKiss everybody\u003cbr\u003e\nyour Dad, in haste -\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her\u003cbr\u003e\nin haste\u003cbr\u003e\nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Aug. '60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife\u003cbr\u003e\nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Jno \u0026amp; Brodie \u0026amp; Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026amp; Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026amp; Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf the boys \u0026amp; Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nOct 1, 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026amp; all hands\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Oct 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026amp; you, so I wrote him \u0026amp; sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePolitical affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026amp; negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026amp; wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026amp; me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026amp; will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026amp; let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026amp; tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGoodbye\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePerhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026amp; negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLondon\u003cbr\u003e\n21 Nov '60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nYesterday \u0026amp; the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you,\u003cbr\u003e\nM\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSteamer New York\u003cbr\u003e\nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026amp; I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026amp; they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026amp; she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026amp; \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026amp; tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen will you \u0026amp; Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026amp; c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026amp; her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026amp; asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026amp; confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands.\u003cbr\u003e\nyr Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n25 Apl 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford,\u003cbr\u003e\nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026amp; potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026amp; c.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn great haste. yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDon't come\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n27 Apl 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife-\u003cbr\u003e\nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026amp; sound.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026amp; Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr M\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n18 May 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026amp; tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026amp; marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026amp; boys between 15 \u0026amp; 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026amp; useful service that the times offer to us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026amp; private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026amp; help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026amp; then do the best you can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.\u003cbr\u003e Yrs, M.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n20 June `61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n18 July 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026amp; join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026amp; Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026amp; c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCharlottesville, Va: Ridgway\u003cbr\u003e\n18 Sept 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Nov 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife\u003cbr\u003e\nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMiss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr. affectionate, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n9 Dec `61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDave is off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend it to C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFor Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nPrivate \u0026amp; Confidential\u003cbr\u003e\nDec. 9.1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear child,\u003cbr\u003e\nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSay to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter\u003cbr\u003e\nM.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Jan.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr Aft M\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDid Jno get the money Dave collected for him?\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n1 May 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn haste\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs MFM\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n4 May `62\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA letter from Dick - all well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Virginia\u003cbr\u003e\n5 May\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn haste yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n24 May\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. in haste\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1 June '62\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n5th June 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e19th June\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJuly 14 (1862)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n19 July\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\nExchange Hotel\u003cbr\u003e\nRoom No 12\u003cbr\u003e\n29 July (1862)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026amp; we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eExchange Hotel - No 12\u003cbr\u003e\n30 July\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon England\u003cbr\u003e\n1 May 63\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCan't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026amp; then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026amp; [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026amp; 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eExplain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026amp; L. as I had it not.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nMF\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLondon England\u003cbr\u003e\n7 July 1863\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon (England)\u003cbr\u003e \n4 Aug 1863\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear no. \"dos\",\u003cbr\u003e\nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJust before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLet us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEngland\u003cbr\u003e\nFeb. 15, `64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear \"Nig\":\u003cbr\u003e\nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eS-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e4 March 6 p.m.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon, England\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Aug. `64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear N:\u003cbr\u003e\nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026amp; 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026amp; 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026amp; S.F.M. and all hands.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Parsonage\u003cbr\u003e\nBelsize Park\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W. [England]\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Dec 64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs afty M. Fontaine\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Parsonage\u003cbr\u003e\n[Belsize Park\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W., England]\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Feb. 65\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. aft. M. Fontaine\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOff San Domingo\u003cbr\u003e\n19 May 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir:\u003cbr\u003e\nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026amp;. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eImportant from Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGiven at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865.\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximilian\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTo the Minister of Improvement.\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the Emperor,\u003cbr\u003e\nManuel Orozco y Berra,\u003cbr\u003e\nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRegulations\u003cbr\u003e\nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGiven at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865.\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximilian\u003cbr\u003e\nTo the Minister of Improvement\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the Emperor:\u003cbr\u003e\nManuel Orozco y Berra\u003cbr\u003e\nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury]\u003cbr\u003e\nSeptember 11th 1865.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eImmigration\u003cbr\u003e\n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026amp; B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAgencies\u003cbr\u003e\n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePermits\u003cbr\u003e\n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEffects.\u003cbr\u003e\n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eApprentices\u003cbr\u003e\n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[verso] Regulations \u0026amp; Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIts climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetween the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAscending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAgricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOwing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAn able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCity of Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Sept. 1865\u003cbr\u003e\n(signed) M. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003efr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTo Mr. S.W. Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nOffice of Colonization\u003cbr\u003e\n13 Calle San Juan de Letran\u003cbr\u003e\nMexico 31 Oct 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYours affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026amp; Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOffice of Colonization\u003cbr\u003e\nMexico\u003cbr\u003e\nNov. 27th 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTherefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePrice, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ]\u003cbr\u003e\nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026amp; if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Nov. 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIs the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate father, M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThose persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n7 Dec. 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear sweet brave Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAbout yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSuppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eF.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026amp;. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am glad you had the Decrees \u0026amp; c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAn offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75\u003cbr\u003e\n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50\u003cbr\u003e\n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25\u003cbr\u003e\n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe payments shall be made in the following manner:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCity of Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nDec 9th 1865-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColonization Office\u003cbr\u003e\n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nDec 10th 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eApprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nImperial Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Jan 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou mention the \"ifs \u0026amp; ifs \u0026amp; ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nMaury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSue \u0026amp; pip send words of New Years calls \u0026amp; gifts. They are great belles.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSend to Betty \u0026amp; Will\u003cbr\u003e\nThere's only this one copy\u003cbr\u003e\nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\"To her Majesty The Empress.\u003cbr\u003e\nMadam:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nJanuary 18th 1866.\u003cbr\u003e\nImperial Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCuernavaca, January 29th 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYours sincerely,\u003cbr\u003e\nCharlotte\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n2 Feb. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear children:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eColonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all,\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. affectionate M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003email to Will or Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nHavana Arrived 9\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVeracruz, Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\n1 March 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Children\u003cbr\u003e\nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026amp; everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026amp;\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026amp; a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026amp; both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026amp; c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026amp; Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026amp; help the enemy to establish his power \u0026amp; complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026amp; have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026amp; them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026amp; their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026amp; such like Yankee innovations \u0026amp; that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eParis\u003cbr\u003e\n21 May 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026amp; more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNo sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026amp; deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026amp; children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026amp; not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026amp; fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026amp; sleepy. God bless you both, yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e11 Aug. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026amp; it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026amp; opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr aft M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n9 Dec. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026amp; would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026amp; his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone.\u003cbr\u003e\nFirst to help you \u0026amp; him with a little left.\u003cbr\u003e\n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026amp; papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate.\u003cbr\u003e\n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor.\u003cbr\u003e\n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026amp; him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026amp; will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n19 May 1867\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBut for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026amp; Rutson's \u0026amp; Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026amp; is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026amp; in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026amp; the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026amp; his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026amp; the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026amp; the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026amp; that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026amp; black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026amp; [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMany changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026amp; boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy love to [Sandy Little]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMay 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNo. 3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Sept 1867\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin-\u003cbr\u003e\nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026amp; some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026amp; c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026amp; the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026amp; pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026amp; everywhere. Your affectionate,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square.\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n29 Jany '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026amp; that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026amp; look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026amp; whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBelsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Feb. `68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Sq'r\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNo. 3 Belsize Sqr\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n25 Ap'l 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026amp; E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n13 May '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026amp; c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLiverpool\u003cbr\u003e\n2 July 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe last! and no mistake.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLiverpool 2nd July\u003cbr\u003e\nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well, and weather superb.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note by Rutson Maury]\u003cbr\u003e\n13th July—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMonday night.-\u003cbr\u003e\nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Aug '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026amp; just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026amp; for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChas thinks \u0026amp; so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026amp; y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026amp; the girls- We as guests.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well- Love to N. the children \u0026amp; the H's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Aug 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026amp; Eliza both under the weather which is very hot\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRockbridge Baths\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Sep. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026amp; Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026amp; circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026amp; c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026amp; Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Sept '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026amp; Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSaw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBe sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026amp; corn- oats \u0026amp; c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Oct 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026amp; Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026amp; fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCal wheat is a larger grain \u0026amp; therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThat's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to N \u0026amp; the [children].\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Oct 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026amp; be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026amp; tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDying to see you,\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs affectionately\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Dec. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026amp; [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026amp;\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026amp; you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026amp; your house too.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026amp; Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026amp; I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Dec. '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026amp; horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026amp; then it must be divided \u0026amp; your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026amp; you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n23 Dec. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026amp; then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Jany `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026amp; E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n14 January 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIndeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf W. \u0026amp; E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n29 Jan. `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIsn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Feb `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026amp; improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026amp; E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you ten more pamphlets.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond , Va\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Feb. 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eW. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Apr `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026amp; E. Please let me know all about. In haste,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond VA\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Ap'l '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026amp; [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026amp; West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati\u003cbr\u003e\n[and-].\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026amp; find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026amp; the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePacking up for VMI.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026amp; Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026amp; the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond VA\u003cbr\u003e\n22 May 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026amp; Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026amp; including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026amp; report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr Aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nP.T.O. M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[verso]\u003cbr\u003e\nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\n17 June `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026amp; c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026amp; c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026amp; Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026amp; pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026amp; a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026amp; c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026amp; the mattress should not be sent till then.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026amp; the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhich way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026amp; Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026amp; return it.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nSeptember 1st '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026amp; to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026amp; the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie \u0026amp; Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026amp; now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well \u0026amp; send love.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 9th/9/'69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026amp; canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026amp; don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish you would get from him \u0026amp; have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026amp; have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026amp; so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026amp; to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026amp; the children all well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eN.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[On reverse of second sheet]\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Messrs Paten \u0026amp; Co\u003cbr\u003e\nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026amp; price.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nR.P. Richardson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\n10 Sept. 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M. I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Sept. '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026amp; consignment O.K. Thanks-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026amp; my nerves distressingly 'shaky'.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\n20/12/69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026amp; should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVMI\u003cbr\u003e\n4th March 1870\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 6th\u003cbr\u003e\n1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin-\u003cbr\u003e\nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026amp; Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026amp; I don't hear them say a word about going down.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHeavy rain last night. In haste yours truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\n(pr M.H.M.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026amp; will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 26th 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026amp; Elie to the White \u0026amp; Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026amp; filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026amp; therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026amp; professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026amp; white radicals \u0026amp; all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026amp; then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026amp; to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026amp; means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026amp; Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKisses to the children \u0026amp; love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Lexington Va.\u003cbr\u003e\nAugust 9th 1871\u003cbr\u003e\nS.W. Corbin Esqr.\u003cbr\u003e\nFredericksburg Va\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn haste yours,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Lexington VA\u003cbr\u003e\n17th Aug 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026amp; let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026amp; the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026amp; have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAsk Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026amp; 7 Crosby Street \u0026amp; enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026amp; if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026amp; ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026amp; take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026amp; tell them he's a-coming.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou must be sure \u0026amp; come to fetch Nannie back\u003cbr\u003e\nYours truly\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 23 Sept '71\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie Lucy \u0026amp; I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026amp; the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026amp; at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026amp; is a great pet.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026amp; Lucy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Nov. 71\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026amp; the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026amp; piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCrit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026amp; Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026amp; Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026amp; the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026amp; Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026amp; the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026amp; rainy \u0026amp; hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026amp; Nanna 20 cts \u0026amp; Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eShe's to keep the rest\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd do the best-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCan you write poetry?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026amp; see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026amp; that helps to make her sick.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026amp; Ma and sister \u0026amp; your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name?\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate friend.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 1 March (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026amp; the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026amp; if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026amp; in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026amp; Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026amp; send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;If Sandy publish- send me a few extras.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 27 March '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nana \u0026amp; the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026amp; so her course\nis downward ho!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs. M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 10 Apl '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026amp; all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026amp; stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026amp; your dear yankees.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThat's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026amp; J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter.\u003cbr\u003e\nJIM BIT A FOX\u003cbr\u003e\nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026amp; all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026amp; my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026amp; teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026amp; altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026amp; my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026amp; calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026amp; I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026amp; the children\u003cbr\u003e\nyr aft M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 Apl '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026amp; happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026amp; the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026amp; shut easily \u0026amp; without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026amp; has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCould the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026amp; catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026amp; 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026amp; 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026amp; 60 N. Your Pa will show you.\u003cbr\u003e\nAll well and send love yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 10 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026amp; where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 12 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026amp; sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Children,\u003cbr\u003e\nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eC.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026amp; his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026amp; we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026amp; whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026amp; see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis\u003cbr\u003e\n30 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Chas. Co. Mo.\u003cbr\u003e\n1 June 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026amp; Nannie say 50 hours.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs in haste, M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003esend to my wife\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 June '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026amp; Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 24 July (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026amp; the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026amp; I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDon't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetter come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026amp; Fredericksburg chills out of you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eKnoxville Tenn.\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday Aug 11 (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026amp; in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026amp; Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026amp; 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026amp; [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026amp; 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026amp; when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026amp; stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026amp; his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove \u0026amp; kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you]\u003cbr\u003e\n[Yr.] M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 4 Sep. 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have sent R.H. Maury \u0026amp; Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026amp; Betty tonight.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 8 Sept. 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026amp; there, the south is as there stated going downhill.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie \u0026amp; I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNew York (Jim's)\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Sept '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026amp; sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026amp; crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026amp; send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026amp; 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026amp; Mary \u0026amp; all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury)\u003cbr\u003e\nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026amp; Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026amp; a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026amp; cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026amp; I have a room together \u0026amp; she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026amp; every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026amp; says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026amp; so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026amp; ornaments are their own \u0026amp; there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026amp; things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to everyone \u0026amp; kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026amp; gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026amp; I haven't got one \u0026amp; my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis. 10th Oct 1872\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026amp; propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours- M.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nper E.M.\u003c/p\u003e"]}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Derby family papers","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"text":["Charles A. Derby papers","Derby family papers","Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","English ."],"title_filing_ssi":"Derby family papers","title_ssm":["Derby family papers"],"title_tesim":["Derby family papers"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1891"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1839/1891"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Derby family papers"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"extent_ssm":["10 Folder"],"extent_tesim":["10 Folder"],"creator_ssim":["Derby Family","Stancell Family"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":10,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":38,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891],"names_ssim":["Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"famname_ssim":["Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby Family"],"persname_ssim":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"language_ssim":["English ."],"_nest_path_":"/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:09:06.300Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_600.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00015.xml","title_ssm":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"title_tesim":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1891"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1891"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0030","/repositories/3/resources/600"],"text":["MS.0030","/repositories/3/resources/600","Charles A. Derby papers","Confederate States of America. Army—Alabama Infantry Regiment, 44th","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Military education—Georgia—History","Education—Georgia—History","Military education—Alabama—History","Education—Alabama—History","Presbyterian Church in the U.S.—Presbytery of Lexington","Episcopal Church—Alabama—History","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1848","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","Charles A. Derby's cadet letters (dated 1846-1847) are available  online .","Derby's 1862 letters are avaliable  online .","Charles A. Derby was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828 to Perry L. Derby and Martha Jones. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered VMI on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.","Following his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850s. His various positions included:\n Private tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia Head of the Fairfax (Virginia) Academy Head of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama Professor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia Principal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama \nIn 1856-1857, Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.","Derby married twice during the 1850s. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of their marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama and the couple had two daughters, Martha (October 1860-?) and Harriet (April 1862-February 1927).","A year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, Alabama circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1862 and his body was not recovered.","William F. Perry was the commander of Charles A. Derby's regiment.","Published by the American Tract Society, New York.","Published by the American Tract Society, New York.","VM Institute \nApril 4th 1846","Dear Father, \nYours of the 15th ult. was duly received. The fifteen dollars which were enclosed I handed to Col Smith as you desired. This will certainly be sufficient to cover all my expenses between now and July. In regard to my health, I think you need not be at all uneasy for it never was better than it has been since I have been here. At this time I know of no case of sickness in Lexington. For the last three weeks, the weather has been very pleasant and if it continues to be so, the corps will in a few days put on white pantaloons. Enclosed you will find a list of the standing of the third class at our January examination. I copied it from a semi-annual report. I did intend to send you a report; but there are I believe only two at the Institute. Col. Smith had this year, only a few published for the legislature. You may perhaps obtain one from Dr. Thompson. I am getting on remarkably well with all my studies except Drawing and this I must confess. I think will prevent me from retaining my present standing. When I first commenced it I had but little talent for it, and thought I have made a considerable improvement in it. My marks have hitherto been so low, that I fear I will not be able to make up for them. I shall endeavor to do my best at it. In French and Mathematics I still stand among the first. You have perhaps, before this received a circular from Col. Smith. I have I believe one demerit, but if I get no more than five between now and July, they will all be taken off. You will recollect that I had a few previous to our examination, but as they did not exceed five, they were taken off. I see in The Petersburg Republican that Dr. Thompson and Capt Sydnor are the candidates for the Legislature in Dinwiddie. I would be glad if you would inform me whether there is any chance for a Whig to be elected and also whether Mr. Lyme has any opposition. I do not believe that the candidates in Rockbridge have been nominated, but she will certainly elect two Whigs. Gov. McDorrel's influence is not so great as to prevent her from doing this although he was almost unanimously elected to Congress a short time since. I received a letter from cousin Robt last week in which he stated that his family were all well. He says that he expects after this year to teach school as there is not much to be made by shoemaking in Marysville. He thinks he can get at least thirty scholars. \nGive my love to mother etc. \nIn haste your devoted son \n[signed]Chas. A. Derby","VM Institute \nMay 9th 1846","Dear Father \nYours of the 26th ult was duly received. Your advice in regard to perseverance I shall follow as well as I can, though, I think it will be of little avail to me, since I have to contend with many who had taken lessons in drawing before they entered the Institute. I went this morning to the surgeon's office, for the purpose of having one of my teeth extracted. Dr. Estill pulled six times as it and succeeded in getting it all out except a part of the root.  He immediately sent for a dentist who pulled at it twice, but could not get it out. He advised me to wait about a fortnight, in which time he thought the room would rise above the gum, and enable him to get a hold on it. It was I believe the largest tooth in my head. You will recollect that you wished me to have it extracted when Mr. Murrill was at your house about four years ago. It did not ache, but I knew that it was an injury to my other teeth. Last night a little disturbance was caused by some of the Cadets. About eleven o'clock they commenced throwing missiles in barracks, when the Officer of the Day came to our room, and told one of my roommates, who was Corporal of the Guard at the time, to post the first relief, if the noise did not cease; but it was quelled in a short time. I would write more but I feel so badly, that I must postpone it until some other time. In haste your affectionate son,  \n[signed] Chas. A. Derby","Dear Father \nYour letter of the 15th inst was duly received. In compliance with your request I asked Jackson if he paid extra carriage for the box of books which he brought me. He said that it was so small no pay was required of him. Listed Mary wrote me word a short time since that six pairs of socks were sent to me. I received only five pairs. These as well as my shoes and collars fit very well. Several members of the Board held a meeting in the Capitol in Richmond some time during the last week at which time they considered the application of Jackson and decided that he should not be again admitted into the Institute. I think that as others whose conduct was much worse than his, have since the Institute has been in operation, been admitted after being dismissed it would have been but justice if they had extended to him the same kindness. Major Gilham has arrived at the Institute and has entered upon the discharge of his duties. My health is at this time unusually good. Excuse me for my short letter. I am now more busily engaged than I ever was. \nMy love to all. \nYour affectionate son, \n[signed] Chas A Derby","Va Military Institute \nJany 19th 1847","Dear Father, \nAs you are perhaps anxious to learn the result of our last examination I take the present opportunity to write to you. The examination commenced on Monday the 4th last and continued until Saturday evening. I still stand second in my class and am also as I expect you have before this seen in my circular a file higher in mathematics, than I was at the examination in July. I will also state that the maximum in Mathematics in the second class is 300 from which you will perceive that considerably more importance is attached to that part of the mathematical course which is studied by the second class than to that which is studied by the third class. I could have easily stood higher in Latin than I did by studying it as much as some members of my class did, but I preferred devoting my time mostly to the principal study. In fact I believe it better to have a tolerable standing in each department, than to stand very high in some, and very low in others; and it is upon this principle that I have acted ever since I have been at this place. The young man who stands first in Latin, having already a good knowledge of Mathematics devoted most of his time to that study with which he was least acquainted; on the other hand I depended upon the little knowledge of Latin which I had already acquired and studied Mathematics. I saw in some of the papers last week, that Mr. Bryan was first Lieutenant of the second company, which had been raised in Petersburg. Please inform me in your next, whether there were any Other members of that company with whom you were acquainted.  You perhaps wish to know what kind of a Christmas we had.  At the Institute Christmas is kept only one day, and that day is never forgotten inasmuch as it is the only one on which we are blessed with turkeys and minced pies. With the exception of the eatings my enjoyments were no greater than usual. Since I wrote to you last, there has been another severe snowstorm in Rockbridge. The weather last week was extremely cold, but it has moderated considerably. Write me word whether you have hired any servants and if you have who they are. Also whether my sisters have made much progress in the study of music. I would indeed be very much pleased to learn that they have.  Give my love to them and to mother. I remain as ever - your devoted son, \n[signed] Chas A. Derby","P.S. My old school mate Samuel Garland stands second in the third class.  Please inform me whether Samuel Hardy succeeded in obtaining the situation at Winfield Academy.  We were not examined in French and consequently no standing was determined upon it. [signed] CAD","Virginia Military Institute \nFeb 26th 1847","Dear Father, \nI received in due time your of the Inst in which was enclosed the half of a twenty dollar note. Of course all your advice I believe to be salutary. The most of it I have endeavored to follow from my infancy. Whatever may have been my misfortunes, I profess to be old enough to be able to preserve a moderate share of spirits. I have endeavored to banish all childish folly. For the present I will forebear writing in that metaphysical strain which has characterized the letters which I have written for the last three months. Please tell sister Mary that I received her letter; also tell sister Martha Ann that I received hers and that I inadvertently omitted to mention it in my last letter. Col. Smith has placed my name on the list of applicants as teachers. It is probably that ??????? Mr. Pendleton or myself will obtain a situation in Charles City County near the residence of Mr. Hill Carter. The salary which is offered is five hundred dollars. This it is true is a small salary; but it is much better than six hundred dollars in a town. However it is possible that I may have a chance of getting a situation better than this.  Col. Smith did not mention anything in regard to the gentleman in Charles City who wishes to obtain a teacher nor do I even know as yet, his name. I shall endeavor to gather as much information on this point as possible. One serious objection which i have to living in that country is that it thought by some to be rent-wealthy. Considerable excitement has been produced in Lexington for the last month by the Skinner case of which you have probably heard. Dr. Skinner the recent pastor of the Presbyterian Church at this place, is now undergoing a trial before the Lexington Presbytery. Of all the ingenious men I ever saw I think that he is the most ingenious. It is said that he was expelled from Scotland on account of some disturbance in the church which he raised in that country.  But for the disturbance which has occurred here he would in all probability been the next president of Washington College, as Dr. Ruffner will resign in the course of a few months. It is certainly astonishing to hear the debates which occur in the Presbytery. In that religious body there is sometimes created almost as much confusion as there is usually created by those sinners in Congress.  This affair has several times called off Maj. Preston from his collegiate duties. I have been teaching Latin in the Institute for the last three or four weeks. The first class have elected the Speakers who are to represent them at the time of graduation as well as a speaker to represent them upon the reception of their diplomas from The Society of Cadets.  Mr. B. G. Baldwin will deliver the Salutatory addresses.  Messrs J. B. Jones, and Finney, orations,  Mr. Councill, the Valedictory addresses and the address to the Society will be delivered by myself. The Day of the Twenty Second was exceedingly inclement and on that account but for persons attended the addresses which were delivered in behalf of the Three Societies. The Washington Society was represented by Mr. Barton, the Graham Society by Mr. Crockett, and the Society of Cadets by Mr. Finney. \nGive my love to all. \nYour affectionate son, [signed] Chas A. Derby","Virginia Military Institute \nDec 27th 1847","Dear Father \nI received yesterday morning the letter in which you had enclosed the other half of the twenty dollar note which I am to place in the hands of the treasurer. I was considerably surprised on learning the circumstances which attended the death of Capt Ferguson. Your advice in regard to perseverance I have all along endeavored to follow.  If I fail at the next examination it will not be my fault but the fault of nature. One cannot expect to have a talent for every department. One cannot be responsible for the deficiencies of nature; yet it is his duty to improve that with which the Lord has blessed him, however little it  may be. It is an admitted fact that application can never create a talent; yet it cannot be denied that by application talents are directed into their proper channels. It is for this reason that a person should while young ascertain that for which he is best fitted in order that he may not in after life be trifling with that for which he has no turn. There are many in my class who are smarter than myself; yet by application I have succeeded in accomplishing more than they have. Indolence is often an attendant of talents; for gifted men frequently trust too much to their talents. It is not always the most talented men who are first at the Bar; it is not always the most talented who have the greatest political fame; it is not always the most talented who are first in the scientific world. The greatest men of whom the world has every boasted have generally been those who with moderate abilities, by their industry made up for their deficiencies, and won the confidence and esteem of all.  The lawyer who has the greatest natural ability will if he is careless get but little practice. He may be able to deliver a startling speech; he may be the originator of striking ideas; yet none can place their confidence in him. It is on this account that I never despair. Whenever I do not succeed, I try again. It seems to me that h this year I am peculiarly unfortunate. Of Chemistry I do not profess to know much; yet I do not believe that in this department I have received justice. The opinion which you hand me express in regard to our professor of Natural Sciences has undergone but little change. I have not done well, comparatively speaking in Engineering; yet I by no means find fault with our professor in that department. I believe him to be a perfect gentlemen. The principle reason why I have not done well on these two studies is that a knowledge of them depends upon the memory; and you yourself know that my memory is very poor. Those studies which depend exclusively upon the reasoning faculties I find but little difficulty in mastering. Since I wrote to you last there has been another snow storm in this county.  During this Christmas there have been several private entertainments given by Cadets who have lately received boxes of eatables from their homes. This evening I have been enjoying a fine supper of oysters which are the first that I have eaten for more than two years. \nI continue to enjoy my usual share of health. Give my love to all. \nYour son as ever. \n[signed] Chas A Derby","St. Peter's Ch. Lowndes, Ala. \nApril 15th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nI have but little news worth communicating, such is the monotony and want of variety in our region. We are all well except my wife, who has been complaining for some time. Our congregations are very small of course, as all congregations in the Confederacy are compared with what they were before the war. We have had a great quantity of rain this Spring. The washing, driving rains of March beat down the earth so hard that many of my neighbors ploughed up their corn and planted a grain. Our planters are not turning their attention this year to cotton, which is cultivated in little patches only for family use. Our neighbors are very kind to us, and I am pleased with them more and more. A call was recently made upon Lowndes composed of two regiments, for 250 men to serve 90 days.  One regiment had furnished 135 men, and the other was about to furnish the remaining 115 when the Governor countermanded the call. In four hours I would have been Captain of a company ready to set out for Mobile. I had made all my arrangements to go, when the countermand was received. I hope that Captain Stancell has recovered before this and returned to his post. Henry must have been near the scene of naval conflict in the James. He must have heard the guns, if he did not witness the engagement. I am going on with my little school of three boys, teaching whenever it suits my convenience to teach. But few Confederate soldiers are left in Ala to protect her.  She is consequently dependent upon her militia for her defence. Contrary to my expectation and very much to my surprise, I was recently elected \"Captain of the Militia of Benton Beat.\" Although the militia was not to my taste, yet I did not feel at liberty to decline the office which I was so pressingly urged to accept. Accordingly I am regularly engaged with drilling my men. In these troublous time, we must labor in even uninviting fields for the public good. For a whole year or more I have been trying to learn where  Mr. King is, but nobody writes me a word about him. Please give me the desired information in your next. \nMy best regards to Capt. Stancell. \nYours Affectionately, \nChas. A. Derby","Mrs. Mary E. Stancell \nMargarettsville, N.C.","Benton, Ala. May 27th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nI find myself very busy preparing for the war and have but two days to make the preparation. On the 16th inst. I was elected Lieut. Colonel of Kent's Regiment. I was on duty las week. I expected to be a home at least a week, but learn that we are ordered to Corinth immediately.  Our regiment is at Selma. We have another daughter. She was born on the 26th ult. and is a very fine looking child. I have hardly a moment to write more. Be so kind as to give the above information to the rest of the family. I must today make some provision for my family. I will write more when disengaged. I hear that Capt. Stancell is wounded. How is he? Write me soon. My love to all. \nYours affectionately, \nChas. A. Derby","Mrs. Mary E. Stancell \nMargarettesville, N. C.","Camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield. \nJuly 15th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nWe are now about seven miles from Richmond on the turnpike leading from that place to Petersburg. I preceded the Col. By nearly two weeks. He is now with me and relieves me of a heavy responsibility. We reached Richmond at the very commencement of the series of battles. We then drew our arms.  We have been in no engagement. We are gradually becoming well drilled. I have seen Mr. Graves twice since my arrival. More than a week ago I met him accidentally.  Yesterday I sought him and found him. His camp is about three hundred yards from ours. Until last week my health had been excellent. I became slightly indisposed. On recovering fromt this indisposition I had a rising on my thumb; and now I have a dreadful cold. I met Pa and Henry in Richmond nearly two weeks ago. Henry had a furlough and was on his way home. The war seems to be dormant precisely at this time. How long it will be before it rouses from its lethargy I have no idea. My intimate friends and neighbors have suffered dreadfully. Many of them have been killed and many are dangerously wounded. It makes my heart sick to think of it. I am glad that Capt. Stancell is nearly well. The poor fellow's face must have been horribly mutila-[mutilated]\n[based on end of sentence above, a page appears to be missing]\nOur Regiment have now a little breathing time. I have been thinking much of my poor wife and children. I have not heard from them since I left them. It is probable that we will remain here for some time. We now have our tents and this itself is an indication of permanency. In Richmond I met two of the immortal Pierces, who were particularly obsequious and polite. I cared nothing for their sycophancy. If I could hear from my family, I would be satisfied. My love to your family. With my afflicted hand and other ailments I find it difficult to write. \nAddress \nLieut. Col. Chas. A. Derby \n44th Reg. Ala. 3d Brigade \nHuger's Division \nRichmond, VA","The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.","The papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell (\"Mollie\") and her husband, Samuel. Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family documents.","Written from Petersburg, Virginia. Letter discusses Charles A. Derby's health, finances, and family matters.","Written by Charles A. Derby's teacher to his father. Letter regards Derby's chances for an appointment at VMI and obtaining letters of recommendation.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses good health, academics, and candidates for Virginia legislature.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the difficult extraction of a tooth and a disturbance in VMI barracks in which cadets threw \"missiles.\"","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the arrival of new faculty member William Gilham, disciplinary action against cadets, and health.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of mid-year examinations, a cadet Christmas celebration, and a severe snowstorm.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards future teaching positions and graduation class speakers. Letter also discusses a controversy in the Lexington Presbyterian Church as the pastor, Dr. Skinner, is \"on trial\" before the presbytery.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses perseverance and value of hard work, problems with chemistry and sciences, and cadet Christmas celebrations.","Written from Northumberland County, Virginia. Charles A. Derby is a private instructor in the home of Mr. Harding, a wealthy landowner. The letter regards a family Christmas celebration, the contrast between the people of Dinwiddie and Northumberland, and personal matters.","Written from Sumterville, Alabama. Letter regards new boarding accommodations, a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finances, becoming a Mason, and Cyrus Harding's appointment at VMI.","Written from Georgia Military Institute, Georgia. Regards acceptance of Charles A. Derby's resignation.","Certified extracts from correspondence between Charles A. Derby and Willis Crenshaw regarding business arrangements for the Eutaw Academy, Alabama.","Two announcements for the opening of the Eutaw Institute, Alabama.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards the death of his wife, Clara J. Hunt (\"Jeanie\"). Letter also describes a betrayal by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and how Charles A. Derby had to open a private school on his own.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter discusses the success of Charles A. Derby's new school, life in Eutaw, and finances.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards ordainment in the Protestant Episcopal Church, responsibility of St. Stephen's Church in Eutaw, deaconship, and the busy school year.","Written from Dinwiddie, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Philadelphia and Boston, preaching at Christ Church in Norfolk, and family news.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards growth of St. Stephen's congregation, life in Eutaw, and Charles A. Derby's school.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset and general news.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards the success of Charles A. Derby's new church, his teaching career, and family matters.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards a recent visit to Cahaba, Alabama.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards family matters, including housekeeping and Charles A. Derby's eight-week old child.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards the murder of their cousin Edward Cousins.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Derby family members joining the Confederate Army and Charles A. Derby's frustrations about not being able to join.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Captain of the Militia of Benton.","Written from Benton, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry.","Written from \"camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield,\" Virginia. Letter regards family matters and a discussion of wartime devastation.","A translation by Charles A. Derby of Aeneid, Book 1 by Virgil.","An acrostic poem written by Charles A. Derby titled \"A Humble Acrostic.\"","Twelve pages of geometry exercise drawings for Francis H. Smith's course.","One page of cadet uniform drawings.","Written from Randolph-Macon College, Virginia. Letter is written on an invitation to a commencement party.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards problems on his [family's?] plantation, illness among slaves, contract for railroad sills (Raleigh and Gaston Railroad), and family matters.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards family news and their marriage date.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards Mary Stancell's (Derby) health and plans for their March 31st wedding.","Written from Lawrenceville, Arkansas. Letter regards Samuel Stancell's business trip.","Written from Marlbrook, Hemstead County, Arkansas. Letter regards general news about Samuel Stancell's business trip.","Written from Margarettsville, North Carolina. In the letter, Samuel Stancell asks his wife Mary \"Mollie\" Derby to come home soon from her visit with her family.","Written from Jackson, North Carolina. Letter regards business and Mary Stancell's (Derby) health.","Written from Darvills (Dinwiddie County), Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Marietta, Georgia. Letter regards general news about life in Marietta.","Included is the original letter, a contemporary copy, and a transcription. Written from \"camp near Fredericksburg,\" Virginia. The letter offers condolences for Charles A. Derby's death.","Francis H. Smith was Superintendent of VMI from 1839-1889.  This letter is in reply to Perry L. Derby's notification that Charles A. Derby has died in battle.","Written from Cahaba, Alabama. Letter regards general news and family news.","Written from Southampton County, Virginia. Letter regards Anna's [surname unknown] personal news.","Blank envelope includes one note dated April 13, 1889 from Marianna Ewell, three newspaper clippings regarding family deaths, and \"A Child's Faith\" poem booklet.","An unsigned letter that describes the concept of chivalry.","Devotional poem written to \"my mother.\"","Two place cards. One card is for Miss Willie J. Mitchell and the other card is for Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Harrison.","Written from Berkley, Virginia. Letter regards family and personal matters.","Poem titled \"Shall we meet again, Mary?.\"","Wedding invitation for Marion Macintosh and the Right Reverend G. W. Peterkin.","Wedding invitation for Nannie L. Whitehurst and Samuel E. Long.","Wedding invitation for May Hundley and Louis Bowly.","Wedding invitation for Kate Gordon and Reverend J. E. Poindexter.","Invitation for an event at the home of V. A. Thornton and name card for Willetta F. Thornton.","Wedding invitation for Fannie Towles and Daniel M. Harman.","Wedding invitation for Dr. J. E. Brown and Marion A. Sullivan.","Composition titled \"The Powers of Custom.\"","Pressed flower and plant album featuring the English and Latin names of each specimen.","Henry L. Derby's notebook he kept while at the Theological Seminary in Fairfax County, Virginia. The notebook contains course lists and schedules, finances, and other writings. A loose piece of sheet music for \"Prince of Peace\" and a map of \"Paul's Third Journey\" are tucked into the back of the notebook.","Eight newspaper clippings. Four clippings are related to Charles A. Derby's career at Western Military Institute, Kentucky. One clipping is related to Derby's career at Eutaw Male Academy, Alabama. Two clippings are related to the death of his wife Clara J. Derby (Hunt). One clipping is Derby's obituary.","Book chiefly written by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) and Ann Taylor (1782-1866). Signature of Charlotte Derby (Bassett) written in pencil on the inside front cover.","Fragment (up to page 53) of the \"French \u0026 Son's Handbook and Directory for Worthing.\"","Funeral address and obituary notices for Nichoas Hamner Cobbs, D. D., who was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Alabama.","Place card with the name Wm. Hughlett.","A transcription of the poem \"Nearer Home.\" The transcriber is unknown.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 1","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Collier, Henry W., Governor, 1801-1855","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866","Harding, Cyrus, 1834-1893","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0030","/repositories/3/resources/600"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"collection_ssim":["Charles A. Derby papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"creator_ssim":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"creators_ssim":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Confederate States of America. Army—Alabama Infantry Regiment, 44th","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Military education—Georgia—History","Education—Georgia—History","Military education—Alabama—History","Education—Alabama—History","Presbyterian Church in the U.S.—Presbytery of Lexington","Episcopal Church—Alabama—History","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1848","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America. Army—Alabama Infantry Regiment, 44th","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Military education—Georgia—History","Education—Georgia—History","Military education—Alabama—History","Education—Alabama—History","Presbyterian Church in the U.S.—Presbytery of Lexington","Episcopal Church—Alabama—History","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1848","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box"],"extent_tesim":["0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles A. Derby's cadet letters (dated 1846-1847) are available \u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/1205\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDerby's 1862 letters are avaliable \u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll11/searchterm/MS%200030/order/manusa\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["Charles A. Derby's cadet letters (dated 1846-1847) are available  online .","Derby's 1862 letters are avaliable  online ."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles A. Derby was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828 to Perry L. Derby and Martha Jones. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered VMI on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFollowing his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850s. His various positions included:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrivate tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHead of the Fairfax (Virginia) Academy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHead of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrincipal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nIn 1856-1857, Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDerby married twice during the 1850s. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of their marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama and the couple had two daughters, Martha (October 1860-?) and Harriet (April 1862-February 1927).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, Alabama circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1862 and his body was not recovered.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWilliam F. Perry was the commander of Charles A. Derby's regiment.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublished by the American Tract Society, New York.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublished by the American Tract Society, New York.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Charles A. Derby was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828 to Perry L. Derby and Martha Jones. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered VMI on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.","Following his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850s. His various positions included:\n Private tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia Head of the Fairfax (Virginia) Academy Head of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama Professor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia Principal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama \nIn 1856-1857, Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.","Derby married twice during the 1850s. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of their marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama and the couple had two daughters, Martha (October 1860-?) and Harriet (April 1862-February 1927).","A year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, Alabama circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1862 and his body was not recovered.","William F. Perry was the commander of Charles A. Derby's regiment.","Published by the American Tract Society, New York.","Published by the American Tract Society, New York."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eVM Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 4th 1846\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father,\u003cbr\u003e\nYours of the 15th ult. was duly received. The fifteen dollars which were enclosed I handed to Col Smith as you desired. This will certainly be sufficient to cover all my expenses between now and July. In regard to my health, I think you need not be at all uneasy for it never was better than it has been since I have been here. At this time I know of no case of sickness in Lexington. For the last three weeks, the weather has been very pleasant and if it continues to be so, the corps will in a few days put on white pantaloons. Enclosed you will find a list of the standing of the third class at our January examination. I copied it from a semi-annual report. I did intend to send you a report; but there are I believe only two at the Institute. Col. Smith had this year, only a few published for the legislature. You may perhaps obtain one from Dr. Thompson. I am getting on remarkably well with all my studies except Drawing and this I must confess. I think will prevent me from retaining my present standing. When I first commenced it I had but little talent for it, and thought I have made a considerable improvement in it. My marks have hitherto been so low, that I fear I will not be able to make up for them. I shall endeavor to do my best at it. In French and Mathematics I still stand among the first. You have perhaps, before this received a circular from Col. Smith. I have I believe one demerit, but if I get no more than five between now and July, they will all be taken off. You will recollect that I had a few previous to our examination, but as they did not exceed five, they were taken off. I see in The Petersburg Republican that Dr. Thompson and Capt Sydnor are the candidates for the Legislature in Dinwiddie. I would be glad if you would inform me whether there is any chance for a Whig to be elected and also whether Mr. Lyme has any opposition. I do not believe that the candidates in Rockbridge have been nominated, but she will certainly elect two Whigs. Gov. McDorrel's influence is not so great as to prevent her from doing this although he was almost unanimously elected to Congress a short time since. I received a letter from cousin Robt last week in which he stated that his family were all well. He says that he expects after this year to teach school as there is not much to be made by shoemaking in Marysville. He thinks he can get at least thirty scholars.\u003cbr\u003e\nGive my love to mother etc.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn haste your devoted son\u003cbr\u003e\n[signed]Chas. A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVM Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nMay 9th 1846\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father\u003cbr\u003e\nYours of the 26th ult was duly received. Your advice in regard to perseverance I shall follow as well as I can, though, I think it will be of little avail to me, since I have to contend with many who had taken lessons in drawing before they entered the Institute. I went this morning to the surgeon's office, for the purpose of having one of my teeth extracted. Dr. Estill pulled six times as it and succeeded in getting it all out except a part of the root.  He immediately sent for a dentist who pulled at it twice, but could not get it out. He advised me to wait about a fortnight, in which time he thought the room would rise above the gum, and enable him to get a hold on it. It was I believe the largest tooth in my head. You will recollect that you wished me to have it extracted when Mr. Murrill was at your house about four years ago. It did not ache, but I knew that it was an injury to my other teeth. Last night a little disturbance was caused by some of the Cadets. About eleven o'clock they commenced throwing missiles in barracks, when the Officer of the Day came to our room, and told one of my roommates, who was Corporal of the Guard at the time, to post the first relief, if the noise did not cease; but it was quelled in a short time. I would write more but I feel so badly, that I must postpone it until some other time. In haste your affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e \n[signed] Chas. A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDear Father\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter of the 15th inst was duly received. In compliance with your request I asked Jackson if he paid extra carriage for the box of books which he brought me. He said that it was so small no pay was required of him. Listed Mary wrote me word a short time since that six pairs of socks were sent to me. I received only five pairs. These as well as my shoes and collars fit very well. Several members of the Board held a meeting in the Capitol in Richmond some time during the last week at which time they considered the application of Jackson and decided that he should not be again admitted into the Institute. I think that as others whose conduct was much worse than his, have since the Institute has been in operation, been admitted after being dismissed it would have been but justice if they had extended to him the same kindness. Major Gilham has arrived at the Institute and has entered upon the discharge of his duties. My health is at this time unusually good. Excuse me for my short letter. I am now more busily engaged than I ever was.\u003cbr\u003e\nMy love to all.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e\n[signed] Chas A Derby\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVa Military Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nJany 19th 1847\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father,\u003cbr\u003e\nAs you are perhaps anxious to learn the result of our last examination I take the present opportunity to write to you. The examination commenced on Monday the 4th last and continued until Saturday evening. I still stand second in my class and am also as I expect you have before this seen in my circular a file higher in mathematics, than I was at the examination in July. I will also state that the maximum in Mathematics in the second class is 300 from which you will perceive that considerably more importance is attached to that part of the mathematical course which is studied by the second class than to that which is studied by the third class. I could have easily stood higher in Latin than I did by studying it as much as some members of my class did, but I preferred devoting my time mostly to the principal study. In fact I believe it better to have a tolerable standing in each department, than to stand very high in some, and very low in others; and it is upon this principle that I have acted ever since I have been at this place. The young man who stands first in Latin, having already a good knowledge of Mathematics devoted most of his time to that study with which he was least acquainted; on the other hand I depended upon the little knowledge of Latin which I had already acquired and studied Mathematics. I saw in some of the papers last week, that Mr. Bryan was first Lieutenant of the second company, which had been raised in Petersburg. Please inform me in your next, whether there were any Other members of that company with whom you were acquainted.  You perhaps wish to know what kind of a Christmas we had.  At the Institute Christmas is kept only one day, and that day is never forgotten inasmuch as it is the only one on which we are blessed with turkeys and minced pies. With the exception of the eatings my enjoyments were no greater than usual. Since I wrote to you last, there has been another severe snowstorm in Rockbridge. The weather last week was extremely cold, but it has moderated considerably. Write me word whether you have hired any servants and if you have who they are. Also whether my sisters have made much progress in the study of music. I would indeed be very much pleased to learn that they have.  Give my love to them and to mother. I remain as ever - your devoted son,\u003cbr\u003e\n[signed] Chas A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. My old school mate Samuel Garland stands second in the third class.  Please inform me whether Samuel Hardy succeeded in obtaining the situation at Winfield Academy.  We were not examined in French and consequently no standing was determined upon it. [signed] CAD\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nFeb 26th 1847\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received in due time your of the Inst in which was enclosed the half of a twenty dollar note. Of course all your advice I believe to be salutary. The most of it I have endeavored to follow from my infancy. Whatever may have been my misfortunes, I profess to be old enough to be able to preserve a moderate share of spirits. I have endeavored to banish all childish folly. For the present I will forebear writing in that metaphysical strain which has characterized the letters which I have written for the last three months. Please tell sister Mary that I received her letter; also tell sister Martha Ann that I received hers and that I inadvertently omitted to mention it in my last letter. Col. Smith has placed my name on the list of applicants as teachers. It is probably that ??????? Mr. Pendleton or myself will obtain a situation in Charles City County near the residence of Mr. Hill Carter. The salary which is offered is five hundred dollars. This it is true is a small salary; but it is much better than six hundred dollars in a town. However it is possible that I may have a chance of getting a situation better than this.  Col. Smith did not mention anything in regard to the gentleman in Charles City who wishes to obtain a teacher nor do I even know as yet, his name. I shall endeavor to gather as much information on this point as possible. One serious objection which i have to living in that country is that it thought by some to be rent-wealthy. Considerable excitement has been produced in Lexington for the last month by the Skinner case of which you have probably heard. Dr. Skinner the recent pastor of the Presbyterian Church at this place, is now undergoing a trial before the Lexington Presbytery. Of all the ingenious men I ever saw I think that he is the most ingenious. It is said that he was expelled from Scotland on account of some disturbance in the church which he raised in that country.  But for the disturbance which has occurred here he would in all probability been the next president of Washington College, as Dr. Ruffner will resign in the course of a few months. It is certainly astonishing to hear the debates which occur in the Presbytery. In that religious body there is sometimes created almost as much confusion as there is usually created by those sinners in Congress.  This affair has several times called off Maj. Preston from his collegiate duties. I have been teaching Latin in the Institute for the last three or four weeks. The first class have elected the Speakers who are to represent them at the time of graduation as well as a speaker to represent them upon the reception of their diplomas from The Society of Cadets.  Mr. B. G. Baldwin will deliver the Salutatory addresses.  Messrs J. B. Jones, and Finney, orations,  Mr. Councill, the Valedictory addresses and the address to the Society will be delivered by myself. The Day of the Twenty Second was exceedingly inclement and on that account but for persons attended the addresses which were delivered in behalf of the Three Societies. The Washington Society was represented by Mr. Barton, the Graham Society by Mr. Crockett, and the Society of Cadets by Mr. Finney.\u003cbr\u003e\nGive my love to all.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son, [signed] Chas A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nDec 27th 1847\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father\u003cbr\u003e\nI received yesterday morning the letter in which you had enclosed the other half of the twenty dollar note which I am to place in the hands of the treasurer. I was considerably surprised on learning the circumstances which attended the death of Capt Ferguson. Your advice in regard to perseverance I have all along endeavored to follow.  If I fail at the next examination it will not be my fault but the fault of nature. One cannot expect to have a talent for every department. One cannot be responsible for the deficiencies of nature; yet it is his duty to improve that with which the Lord has blessed him, however little it  may be. It is an admitted fact that application can never create a talent; yet it cannot be denied that by application talents are directed into their proper channels. It is for this reason that a person should while young ascertain that for which he is best fitted in order that he may not in after life be trifling with that for which he has no turn. There are many in my class who are smarter than myself; yet by application I have succeeded in accomplishing more than they have. Indolence is often an attendant of talents; for gifted men frequently trust too much to their talents. It is not always the most talented men who are first at the Bar; it is not always the most talented who have the greatest political fame; it is not always the most talented who are first in the scientific world. The greatest men of whom the world has every boasted have generally been those who with moderate abilities, by their industry made up for their deficiencies, and won the confidence and esteem of all.  The lawyer who has the greatest natural ability will if he is careless get but little practice. He may be able to deliver a startling speech; he may be the originator of striking ideas; yet none can place their confidence in him. It is on this account that I never despair. Whenever I do not succeed, I try again. It seems to me that h this year I am peculiarly unfortunate. Of Chemistry I do not profess to know much; yet I do not believe that in this department I have received justice. The opinion which you hand me express in regard to our professor of Natural Sciences has undergone but little change. I have not done well, comparatively speaking in Engineering; yet I by no means find fault with our professor in that department. I believe him to be a perfect gentlemen. The principle reason why I have not done well on these two studies is that a knowledge of them depends upon the memory; and you yourself know that my memory is very poor. Those studies which depend exclusively upon the reasoning faculties I find but little difficulty in mastering. Since I wrote to you last there has been another snow storm in this county.  During this Christmas there have been several private entertainments given by Cadets who have lately received boxes of eatables from their homes. This evening I have been enjoying a fine supper of oysters which are the first that I have eaten for more than two years.\u003cbr\u003e\nI continue to enjoy my usual share of health. Give my love to all.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour son as ever.\u003cbr\u003e\n[signed] Chas A Derby\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Peter's Ch. Lowndes, Ala.\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 15th, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have but little news worth communicating, such is the monotony and want of variety in our region. We are all well except my wife, who has been complaining for some time. Our congregations are very small of course, as all congregations in the Confederacy are compared with what they were before the war. We have had a great quantity of rain this Spring. The washing, driving rains of March beat down the earth so hard that many of my neighbors ploughed up their corn and planted a grain. Our planters are not turning their attention this year to cotton, which is cultivated in little patches only for family use. Our neighbors are very kind to us, and I am pleased with them more and more. A call was recently made upon Lowndes composed of two regiments, for 250 men to serve 90 days.  One regiment had furnished 135 men, and the other was about to furnish the remaining 115 when the Governor countermanded the call. In four hours I would have been Captain of a company ready to set out for Mobile. I had made all my arrangements to go, when the countermand was received. I hope that Captain Stancell has recovered before this and returned to his post. Henry must have been near the scene of naval conflict in the James. He must have heard the guns, if he did not witness the engagement. I am going on with my little school of three boys, teaching whenever it suits my convenience to teach. But few Confederate soldiers are left in Ala to protect her.  She is consequently dependent upon her militia for her defence. Contrary to my expectation and very much to my surprise, I was recently elected \"Captain of the Militia of Benton Beat.\" Although the militia was not to my taste, yet I did not feel at liberty to decline the office which I was so pressingly urged to accept. Accordingly I am regularly engaged with drilling my men. In these troublous time, we must labor in even uninviting fields for the public good. For a whole year or more I have been trying to learn where  Mr. King is, but nobody writes me a word about him. Please give me the desired information in your next.\u003cbr\u003e\nMy best regards to Capt. Stancell.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours Affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nChas. A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMrs. Mary E. Stancell\u003cbr\u003e\nMargarettsville, N.C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBenton, Ala. May 27th, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister:\u003cbr\u003e\nI find myself very busy preparing for the war and have but two days to make the preparation. On the 16th inst. I was elected Lieut. Colonel of Kent's Regiment. I was on duty las week. I expected to be a home at least a week, but learn that we are ordered to Corinth immediately.  Our regiment is at Selma. We have another daughter. She was born on the 26th ult. and is a very fine looking child. I have hardly a moment to write more. Be so kind as to give the above information to the rest of the family. I must today make some provision for my family. I will write more when disengaged. I hear that Capt. Stancell is wounded. How is he? Write me soon. My love to all.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nChas. A. Derby\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMrs. Mary E. Stancell\u003cbr\u003e\nMargarettesville, N. C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield.\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 15th, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister:\u003cbr\u003e\nWe are now about seven miles from Richmond on the turnpike leading from that place to Petersburg. I preceded the Col. By nearly two weeks. He is now with me and relieves me of a heavy responsibility. We reached Richmond at the very commencement of the series of battles. We then drew our arms.  We have been in no engagement. We are gradually becoming well drilled. I have seen Mr. Graves twice since my arrival. More than a week ago I met him accidentally.  Yesterday I sought him and found him. His camp is about three hundred yards from ours. Until last week my health had been excellent. I became slightly indisposed. On recovering fromt this indisposition I had a rising on my thumb; and now I have a dreadful cold. I met Pa and Henry in Richmond nearly two weeks ago. Henry had a furlough and was on his way home. The war seems to be dormant precisely at this time. How long it will be before it rouses from its lethargy I have no idea. My intimate friends and neighbors have suffered dreadfully. Many of them have been killed and many are dangerously wounded. It makes my heart sick to think of it. I am glad that Capt. Stancell is nearly well. The poor fellow's face must have been horribly mutila-[mutilated]\n[based on end of sentence above, a page appears to be missing]\nOur Regiment have now a little breathing time. I have been thinking much of my poor wife and children. I have not heard from them since I left them. It is probable that we will remain here for some time. We now have our tents and this itself is an indication of permanency. In Richmond I met two of the immortal Pierces, who were particularly obsequious and polite. I cared nothing for their sycophancy. If I could hear from my family, I would be satisfied. My love to your family. With my afflicted hand and other ailments I find it difficult to write.\u003cbr\u003e\nAddress\u003cbr\u003e\nLieut. Col. Chas. A. Derby\u003cbr\u003e\n44th Reg. Ala. 3d Brigade\u003cbr\u003e\nHuger's Division\u003cbr\u003e\nRichmond, VA\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["VM Institute \nApril 4th 1846","Dear Father, \nYours of the 15th ult. was duly received. The fifteen dollars which were enclosed I handed to Col Smith as you desired. This will certainly be sufficient to cover all my expenses between now and July. In regard to my health, I think you need not be at all uneasy for it never was better than it has been since I have been here. At this time I know of no case of sickness in Lexington. For the last three weeks, the weather has been very pleasant and if it continues to be so, the corps will in a few days put on white pantaloons. Enclosed you will find a list of the standing of the third class at our January examination. I copied it from a semi-annual report. I did intend to send you a report; but there are I believe only two at the Institute. Col. Smith had this year, only a few published for the legislature. You may perhaps obtain one from Dr. Thompson. I am getting on remarkably well with all my studies except Drawing and this I must confess. I think will prevent me from retaining my present standing. When I first commenced it I had but little talent for it, and thought I have made a considerable improvement in it. My marks have hitherto been so low, that I fear I will not be able to make up for them. I shall endeavor to do my best at it. In French and Mathematics I still stand among the first. You have perhaps, before this received a circular from Col. Smith. I have I believe one demerit, but if I get no more than five between now and July, they will all be taken off. You will recollect that I had a few previous to our examination, but as they did not exceed five, they were taken off. I see in The Petersburg Republican that Dr. Thompson and Capt Sydnor are the candidates for the Legislature in Dinwiddie. I would be glad if you would inform me whether there is any chance for a Whig to be elected and also whether Mr. Lyme has any opposition. I do not believe that the candidates in Rockbridge have been nominated, but she will certainly elect two Whigs. Gov. McDorrel's influence is not so great as to prevent her from doing this although he was almost unanimously elected to Congress a short time since. I received a letter from cousin Robt last week in which he stated that his family were all well. He says that he expects after this year to teach school as there is not much to be made by shoemaking in Marysville. He thinks he can get at least thirty scholars. \nGive my love to mother etc. \nIn haste your devoted son \n[signed]Chas. A. Derby","VM Institute \nMay 9th 1846","Dear Father \nYours of the 26th ult was duly received. Your advice in regard to perseverance I shall follow as well as I can, though, I think it will be of little avail to me, since I have to contend with many who had taken lessons in drawing before they entered the Institute. I went this morning to the surgeon's office, for the purpose of having one of my teeth extracted. Dr. Estill pulled six times as it and succeeded in getting it all out except a part of the root.  He immediately sent for a dentist who pulled at it twice, but could not get it out. He advised me to wait about a fortnight, in which time he thought the room would rise above the gum, and enable him to get a hold on it. It was I believe the largest tooth in my head. You will recollect that you wished me to have it extracted when Mr. Murrill was at your house about four years ago. It did not ache, but I knew that it was an injury to my other teeth. Last night a little disturbance was caused by some of the Cadets. About eleven o'clock they commenced throwing missiles in barracks, when the Officer of the Day came to our room, and told one of my roommates, who was Corporal of the Guard at the time, to post the first relief, if the noise did not cease; but it was quelled in a short time. I would write more but I feel so badly, that I must postpone it until some other time. In haste your affectionate son,  \n[signed] Chas. A. Derby","Dear Father \nYour letter of the 15th inst was duly received. In compliance with your request I asked Jackson if he paid extra carriage for the box of books which he brought me. He said that it was so small no pay was required of him. Listed Mary wrote me word a short time since that six pairs of socks were sent to me. I received only five pairs. These as well as my shoes and collars fit very well. Several members of the Board held a meeting in the Capitol in Richmond some time during the last week at which time they considered the application of Jackson and decided that he should not be again admitted into the Institute. I think that as others whose conduct was much worse than his, have since the Institute has been in operation, been admitted after being dismissed it would have been but justice if they had extended to him the same kindness. Major Gilham has arrived at the Institute and has entered upon the discharge of his duties. My health is at this time unusually good. Excuse me for my short letter. I am now more busily engaged than I ever was. \nMy love to all. \nYour affectionate son, \n[signed] Chas A Derby","Va Military Institute \nJany 19th 1847","Dear Father, \nAs you are perhaps anxious to learn the result of our last examination I take the present opportunity to write to you. The examination commenced on Monday the 4th last and continued until Saturday evening. I still stand second in my class and am also as I expect you have before this seen in my circular a file higher in mathematics, than I was at the examination in July. I will also state that the maximum in Mathematics in the second class is 300 from which you will perceive that considerably more importance is attached to that part of the mathematical course which is studied by the second class than to that which is studied by the third class. I could have easily stood higher in Latin than I did by studying it as much as some members of my class did, but I preferred devoting my time mostly to the principal study. In fact I believe it better to have a tolerable standing in each department, than to stand very high in some, and very low in others; and it is upon this principle that I have acted ever since I have been at this place. The young man who stands first in Latin, having already a good knowledge of Mathematics devoted most of his time to that study with which he was least acquainted; on the other hand I depended upon the little knowledge of Latin which I had already acquired and studied Mathematics. I saw in some of the papers last week, that Mr. Bryan was first Lieutenant of the second company, which had been raised in Petersburg. Please inform me in your next, whether there were any Other members of that company with whom you were acquainted.  You perhaps wish to know what kind of a Christmas we had.  At the Institute Christmas is kept only one day, and that day is never forgotten inasmuch as it is the only one on which we are blessed with turkeys and minced pies. With the exception of the eatings my enjoyments were no greater than usual. Since I wrote to you last, there has been another severe snowstorm in Rockbridge. The weather last week was extremely cold, but it has moderated considerably. Write me word whether you have hired any servants and if you have who they are. Also whether my sisters have made much progress in the study of music. I would indeed be very much pleased to learn that they have.  Give my love to them and to mother. I remain as ever - your devoted son, \n[signed] Chas A. Derby","P.S. My old school mate Samuel Garland stands second in the third class.  Please inform me whether Samuel Hardy succeeded in obtaining the situation at Winfield Academy.  We were not examined in French and consequently no standing was determined upon it. [signed] CAD","Virginia Military Institute \nFeb 26th 1847","Dear Father, \nI received in due time your of the Inst in which was enclosed the half of a twenty dollar note. Of course all your advice I believe to be salutary. The most of it I have endeavored to follow from my infancy. Whatever may have been my misfortunes, I profess to be old enough to be able to preserve a moderate share of spirits. I have endeavored to banish all childish folly. For the present I will forebear writing in that metaphysical strain which has characterized the letters which I have written for the last three months. Please tell sister Mary that I received her letter; also tell sister Martha Ann that I received hers and that I inadvertently omitted to mention it in my last letter. Col. Smith has placed my name on the list of applicants as teachers. It is probably that ??????? Mr. Pendleton or myself will obtain a situation in Charles City County near the residence of Mr. Hill Carter. The salary which is offered is five hundred dollars. This it is true is a small salary; but it is much better than six hundred dollars in a town. However it is possible that I may have a chance of getting a situation better than this.  Col. Smith did not mention anything in regard to the gentleman in Charles City who wishes to obtain a teacher nor do I even know as yet, his name. I shall endeavor to gather as much information on this point as possible. One serious objection which i have to living in that country is that it thought by some to be rent-wealthy. Considerable excitement has been produced in Lexington for the last month by the Skinner case of which you have probably heard. Dr. Skinner the recent pastor of the Presbyterian Church at this place, is now undergoing a trial before the Lexington Presbytery. Of all the ingenious men I ever saw I think that he is the most ingenious. It is said that he was expelled from Scotland on account of some disturbance in the church which he raised in that country.  But for the disturbance which has occurred here he would in all probability been the next president of Washington College, as Dr. Ruffner will resign in the course of a few months. It is certainly astonishing to hear the debates which occur in the Presbytery. In that religious body there is sometimes created almost as much confusion as there is usually created by those sinners in Congress.  This affair has several times called off Maj. Preston from his collegiate duties. I have been teaching Latin in the Institute for the last three or four weeks. The first class have elected the Speakers who are to represent them at the time of graduation as well as a speaker to represent them upon the reception of their diplomas from The Society of Cadets.  Mr. B. G. Baldwin will deliver the Salutatory addresses.  Messrs J. B. Jones, and Finney, orations,  Mr. Councill, the Valedictory addresses and the address to the Society will be delivered by myself. The Day of the Twenty Second was exceedingly inclement and on that account but for persons attended the addresses which were delivered in behalf of the Three Societies. The Washington Society was represented by Mr. Barton, the Graham Society by Mr. Crockett, and the Society of Cadets by Mr. Finney. \nGive my love to all. \nYour affectionate son, [signed] Chas A. Derby","Virginia Military Institute \nDec 27th 1847","Dear Father \nI received yesterday morning the letter in which you had enclosed the other half of the twenty dollar note which I am to place in the hands of the treasurer. I was considerably surprised on learning the circumstances which attended the death of Capt Ferguson. Your advice in regard to perseverance I have all along endeavored to follow.  If I fail at the next examination it will not be my fault but the fault of nature. One cannot expect to have a talent for every department. One cannot be responsible for the deficiencies of nature; yet it is his duty to improve that with which the Lord has blessed him, however little it  may be. It is an admitted fact that application can never create a talent; yet it cannot be denied that by application talents are directed into their proper channels. It is for this reason that a person should while young ascertain that for which he is best fitted in order that he may not in after life be trifling with that for which he has no turn. There are many in my class who are smarter than myself; yet by application I have succeeded in accomplishing more than they have. Indolence is often an attendant of talents; for gifted men frequently trust too much to their talents. It is not always the most talented men who are first at the Bar; it is not always the most talented who have the greatest political fame; it is not always the most talented who are first in the scientific world. The greatest men of whom the world has every boasted have generally been those who with moderate abilities, by their industry made up for their deficiencies, and won the confidence and esteem of all.  The lawyer who has the greatest natural ability will if he is careless get but little practice. He may be able to deliver a startling speech; he may be the originator of striking ideas; yet none can place their confidence in him. It is on this account that I never despair. Whenever I do not succeed, I try again. It seems to me that h this year I am peculiarly unfortunate. Of Chemistry I do not profess to know much; yet I do not believe that in this department I have received justice. The opinion which you hand me express in regard to our professor of Natural Sciences has undergone but little change. I have not done well, comparatively speaking in Engineering; yet I by no means find fault with our professor in that department. I believe him to be a perfect gentlemen. The principle reason why I have not done well on these two studies is that a knowledge of them depends upon the memory; and you yourself know that my memory is very poor. Those studies which depend exclusively upon the reasoning faculties I find but little difficulty in mastering. Since I wrote to you last there has been another snow storm in this county.  During this Christmas there have been several private entertainments given by Cadets who have lately received boxes of eatables from their homes. This evening I have been enjoying a fine supper of oysters which are the first that I have eaten for more than two years. \nI continue to enjoy my usual share of health. Give my love to all. \nYour son as ever. \n[signed] Chas A Derby","St. Peter's Ch. Lowndes, Ala. \nApril 15th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nI have but little news worth communicating, such is the monotony and want of variety in our region. We are all well except my wife, who has been complaining for some time. Our congregations are very small of course, as all congregations in the Confederacy are compared with what they were before the war. We have had a great quantity of rain this Spring. The washing, driving rains of March beat down the earth so hard that many of my neighbors ploughed up their corn and planted a grain. Our planters are not turning their attention this year to cotton, which is cultivated in little patches only for family use. Our neighbors are very kind to us, and I am pleased with them more and more. A call was recently made upon Lowndes composed of two regiments, for 250 men to serve 90 days.  One regiment had furnished 135 men, and the other was about to furnish the remaining 115 when the Governor countermanded the call. In four hours I would have been Captain of a company ready to set out for Mobile. I had made all my arrangements to go, when the countermand was received. I hope that Captain Stancell has recovered before this and returned to his post. Henry must have been near the scene of naval conflict in the James. He must have heard the guns, if he did not witness the engagement. I am going on with my little school of three boys, teaching whenever it suits my convenience to teach. But few Confederate soldiers are left in Ala to protect her.  She is consequently dependent upon her militia for her defence. Contrary to my expectation and very much to my surprise, I was recently elected \"Captain of the Militia of Benton Beat.\" Although the militia was not to my taste, yet I did not feel at liberty to decline the office which I was so pressingly urged to accept. Accordingly I am regularly engaged with drilling my men. In these troublous time, we must labor in even uninviting fields for the public good. For a whole year or more I have been trying to learn where  Mr. King is, but nobody writes me a word about him. Please give me the desired information in your next. \nMy best regards to Capt. Stancell. \nYours Affectionately, \nChas. A. Derby","Mrs. Mary E. Stancell \nMargarettsville, N.C.","Benton, Ala. May 27th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nI find myself very busy preparing for the war and have but two days to make the preparation. On the 16th inst. I was elected Lieut. Colonel of Kent's Regiment. I was on duty las week. I expected to be a home at least a week, but learn that we are ordered to Corinth immediately.  Our regiment is at Selma. We have another daughter. She was born on the 26th ult. and is a very fine looking child. I have hardly a moment to write more. Be so kind as to give the above information to the rest of the family. I must today make some provision for my family. I will write more when disengaged. I hear that Capt. Stancell is wounded. How is he? Write me soon. My love to all. \nYours affectionately, \nChas. A. Derby","Mrs. Mary E. Stancell \nMargarettesville, N. C.","Camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield. \nJuly 15th, 1862","Dear Sister: \nWe are now about seven miles from Richmond on the turnpike leading from that place to Petersburg. I preceded the Col. By nearly two weeks. He is now with me and relieves me of a heavy responsibility. We reached Richmond at the very commencement of the series of battles. We then drew our arms.  We have been in no engagement. We are gradually becoming well drilled. I have seen Mr. Graves twice since my arrival. More than a week ago I met him accidentally.  Yesterday I sought him and found him. His camp is about three hundred yards from ours. Until last week my health had been excellent. I became slightly indisposed. On recovering fromt this indisposition I had a rising on my thumb; and now I have a dreadful cold. I met Pa and Henry in Richmond nearly two weeks ago. Henry had a furlough and was on his way home. The war seems to be dormant precisely at this time. How long it will be before it rouses from its lethargy I have no idea. My intimate friends and neighbors have suffered dreadfully. Many of them have been killed and many are dangerously wounded. It makes my heart sick to think of it. I am glad that Capt. Stancell is nearly well. The poor fellow's face must have been horribly mutila-[mutilated]\n[based on end of sentence above, a page appears to be missing]\nOur Regiment have now a little breathing time. I have been thinking much of my poor wife and children. I have not heard from them since I left them. It is probable that we will remain here for some time. We now have our tents and this itself is an indication of permanency. In Richmond I met two of the immortal Pierces, who were particularly obsequious and polite. I cared nothing for their sycophancy. If I could hear from my family, I would be satisfied. My love to your family. With my afflicted hand and other ailments I find it difficult to write. \nAddress \nLieut. Col. Chas. A. Derby \n44th Reg. Ala. 3d Brigade \nHuger's Division \nRichmond, VA"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Charles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell (\"Mollie\") and her husband, Samuel. Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family documents.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Petersburg, Virginia. Letter discusses Charles A. Derby's health, finances, and family matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten by Charles A. Derby's teacher to his father. Letter regards Derby's chances for an appointment at VMI and obtaining letters of recommendation.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses good health, academics, and candidates for Virginia legislature.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the difficult extraction of a tooth and a disturbance in VMI barracks in which cadets threw \"missiles.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the arrival of new faculty member William Gilham, disciplinary action against cadets, and health.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of mid-year examinations, a cadet Christmas celebration, and a severe snowstorm.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards future teaching positions and graduation class speakers. Letter also discusses a controversy in the Lexington Presbyterian Church as the pastor, Dr. Skinner, is \"on trial\" before the presbytery.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses perseverance and value of hard work, problems with chemistry and sciences, and cadet Christmas celebrations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Northumberland County, Virginia. Charles A. Derby is a private instructor in the home of Mr. Harding, a wealthy landowner. The letter regards a family Christmas celebration, the contrast between the people of Dinwiddie and Northumberland, and personal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Sumterville, Alabama. Letter regards new boarding accommodations, a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finances, becoming a Mason, and Cyrus Harding's appointment at VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Georgia Military Institute, Georgia. Regards acceptance of Charles A. Derby's resignation.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCertified extracts from correspondence between Charles A. Derby and Willis Crenshaw regarding business arrangements for the Eutaw Academy, Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo announcements for the opening of the Eutaw Institute, Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards the death of his wife, Clara J. Hunt (\"Jeanie\"). Letter also describes a betrayal by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and how Charles A. Derby had to open a private school on his own.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter discusses the success of Charles A. Derby's new school, life in Eutaw, and finances.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards ordainment in the Protestant Episcopal Church, responsibility of St. Stephen's Church in Eutaw, deaconship, and the busy school year.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Dinwiddie, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Philadelphia and Boston, preaching at Christ Church in Norfolk, and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards growth of St. Stephen's congregation, life in Eutaw, and Charles A. Derby's school.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset and general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards the success of Charles A. Derby's new church, his teaching career, and family matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards a recent visit to Cahaba, Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards family matters, including housekeeping and Charles A. Derby's eight-week old child.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards the murder of their cousin Edward Cousins.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Derby family members joining the Confederate Army and Charles A. Derby's frustrations about not being able to join.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Captain of the Militia of Benton.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Benton, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield,\" Virginia. Letter regards family matters and a discussion of wartime devastation.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA translation by Charles A. Derby of Aeneid, Book 1 by Virgil.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAn acrostic poem written by Charles A. Derby titled \"A Humble Acrostic.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwelve pages of geometry exercise drawings for Francis H. Smith's course.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne page of cadet uniform drawings.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Randolph-Macon College, Virginia. Letter is written on an invitation to a commencement party.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards problems on his [family's?] plantation, illness among slaves, contract for railroad sills (Raleigh and Gaston Railroad), and family matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards family news and their marriage date.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards Mary Stancell's (Derby) health and plans for their March 31st wedding.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lawrenceville, Arkansas. Letter regards Samuel Stancell's business trip.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Marlbrook, Hemstead County, Arkansas. Letter regards general news about Samuel Stancell's business trip.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Margarettsville, North Carolina. In the letter, Samuel Stancell asks his wife Mary \"Mollie\" Derby to come home soon from her visit with her family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Jackson, North Carolina. Letter regards business and Mary Stancell's (Derby) health.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Darvills (Dinwiddie County), Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Marietta, Georgia. Letter regards general news about life in Marietta.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncluded is the original letter, a contemporary copy, and a transcription. Written from \"camp near Fredericksburg,\" Virginia. The letter offers condolences for Charles A. Derby's death.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith was Superintendent of VMI from 1839-1889.  This letter is in reply to Perry L. Derby's notification that Charles A. Derby has died in battle.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cahaba, Alabama. Letter regards general news and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Southampton County, Virginia. Letter regards Anna's [surname unknown] personal news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlank envelope includes one note dated April 13, 1889 from Marianna Ewell, three newspaper clippings regarding family deaths, and \"A Child's Faith\" poem booklet.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAn unsigned letter that describes the concept of chivalry.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDevotional poem written to \"my mother.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo place cards. One card is for Miss Willie J. Mitchell and the other card is for Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Harrison.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Berkley, Virginia. Letter regards family and personal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePoem titled \"Shall we meet again, Mary?.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for Marion Macintosh and the Right Reverend G. W. Peterkin.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for Nannie L. Whitehurst and Samuel E. Long.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for May Hundley and Louis Bowly.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for Kate Gordon and Reverend J. E. Poindexter.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eInvitation for an event at the home of V. A. Thornton and name card for Willetta F. Thornton.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for Fannie Towles and Daniel M. Harman.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWedding invitation for Dr. J. E. Brown and Marion A. Sullivan.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eComposition titled \"The Powers of Custom.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePressed flower and plant album featuring the English and Latin names of each specimen.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHenry L. Derby's notebook he kept while at the Theological Seminary in Fairfax County, Virginia. The notebook contains course lists and schedules, finances, and other writings. A loose piece of sheet music for \"Prince of Peace\" and a map of \"Paul's Third Journey\" are tucked into the back of the notebook.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEight newspaper clippings. Four clippings are related to Charles A. Derby's career at Western Military Institute, Kentucky. One clipping is related to Derby's career at Eutaw Male Academy, Alabama. Two clippings are related to the death of his wife Clara J. Derby (Hunt). One clipping is Derby's obituary.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBook chiefly written by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) and Ann Taylor (1782-1866). Signature of Charlotte Derby (Bassett) written in pencil on the inside front cover.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFragment (up to page 53) of the \"French \u0026amp; Son's Handbook and Directory for Worthing.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFuneral address and obituary notices for Nichoas Hamner Cobbs, D. D., who was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePlace card with the name Wm. Hughlett.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA transcription of the poem \"Nearer Home.\" The transcriber is unknown.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.","The papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell (\"Mollie\") and her husband, Samuel. Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family documents.","Written from Petersburg, Virginia. Letter discusses Charles A. Derby's health, finances, and family matters.","Written by Charles A. Derby's teacher to his father. Letter regards Derby's chances for an appointment at VMI and obtaining letters of recommendation.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses good health, academics, and candidates for Virginia legislature.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the difficult extraction of a tooth and a disturbance in VMI barracks in which cadets threw \"missiles.\"","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the arrival of new faculty member William Gilham, disciplinary action against cadets, and health.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of mid-year examinations, a cadet Christmas celebration, and a severe snowstorm.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards future teaching positions and graduation class speakers. Letter also discusses a controversy in the Lexington Presbyterian Church as the pastor, Dr. Skinner, is \"on trial\" before the presbytery.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses perseverance and value of hard work, problems with chemistry and sciences, and cadet Christmas celebrations.","Written from Northumberland County, Virginia. Charles A. Derby is a private instructor in the home of Mr. Harding, a wealthy landowner. The letter regards a family Christmas celebration, the contrast between the people of Dinwiddie and Northumberland, and personal matters.","Written from Sumterville, Alabama. Letter regards new boarding accommodations, a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finances, becoming a Mason, and Cyrus Harding's appointment at VMI.","Written from Georgia Military Institute, Georgia. Regards acceptance of Charles A. Derby's resignation.","Certified extracts from correspondence between Charles A. Derby and Willis Crenshaw regarding business arrangements for the Eutaw Academy, Alabama.","Two announcements for the opening of the Eutaw Institute, Alabama.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards the death of his wife, Clara J. Hunt (\"Jeanie\"). Letter also describes a betrayal by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and how Charles A. Derby had to open a private school on his own.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter discusses the success of Charles A. Derby's new school, life in Eutaw, and finances.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards ordainment in the Protestant Episcopal Church, responsibility of St. Stephen's Church in Eutaw, deaconship, and the busy school year.","Written from Dinwiddie, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Philadelphia and Boston, preaching at Christ Church in Norfolk, and family news.","Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards growth of St. Stephen's congregation, life in Eutaw, and Charles A. Derby's school.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset and general news.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards the success of Charles A. Derby's new church, his teaching career, and family matters.","Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards a recent visit to Cahaba, Alabama.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards family matters, including housekeeping and Charles A. Derby's eight-week old child.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards the murder of their cousin Edward Cousins.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Derby family members joining the Confederate Army and Charles A. Derby's frustrations about not being able to join.","Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Captain of the Militia of Benton.","Written from Benton, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry.","Written from \"camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield,\" Virginia. Letter regards family matters and a discussion of wartime devastation.","A translation by Charles A. Derby of Aeneid, Book 1 by Virgil.","An acrostic poem written by Charles A. Derby titled \"A Humble Acrostic.\"","Twelve pages of geometry exercise drawings for Francis H. Smith's course.","One page of cadet uniform drawings.","Written from Randolph-Macon College, Virginia. Letter is written on an invitation to a commencement party.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards problems on his [family's?] plantation, illness among slaves, contract for railroad sills (Raleigh and Gaston Railroad), and family matters.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards family news and their marriage date.","Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards Mary Stancell's (Derby) health and plans for their March 31st wedding.","Written from Lawrenceville, Arkansas. Letter regards Samuel Stancell's business trip.","Written from Marlbrook, Hemstead County, Arkansas. Letter regards general news about Samuel Stancell's business trip.","Written from Margarettsville, North Carolina. In the letter, Samuel Stancell asks his wife Mary \"Mollie\" Derby to come home soon from her visit with her family.","Written from Jackson, North Carolina. Letter regards business and Mary Stancell's (Derby) health.","Written from Darvills (Dinwiddie County), Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Marietta, Georgia. Letter regards general news about life in Marietta.","Included is the original letter, a contemporary copy, and a transcription. Written from \"camp near Fredericksburg,\" Virginia. The letter offers condolences for Charles A. Derby's death.","Francis H. Smith was Superintendent of VMI from 1839-1889.  This letter is in reply to Perry L. Derby's notification that Charles A. Derby has died in battle.","Written from Cahaba, Alabama. Letter regards general news and family news.","Written from Southampton County, Virginia. Letter regards Anna's [surname unknown] personal news.","Blank envelope includes one note dated April 13, 1889 from Marianna Ewell, three newspaper clippings regarding family deaths, and \"A Child's Faith\" poem booklet.","An unsigned letter that describes the concept of chivalry.","Devotional poem written to \"my mother.\"","Two place cards. One card is for Miss Willie J. Mitchell and the other card is for Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Harrison.","Written from Berkley, Virginia. Letter regards family and personal matters.","Poem titled \"Shall we meet again, Mary?.\"","Wedding invitation for Marion Macintosh and the Right Reverend G. W. Peterkin.","Wedding invitation for Nannie L. Whitehurst and Samuel E. Long.","Wedding invitation for May Hundley and Louis Bowly.","Wedding invitation for Kate Gordon and Reverend J. E. Poindexter.","Invitation for an event at the home of V. A. Thornton and name card for Willetta F. Thornton.","Wedding invitation for Fannie Towles and Daniel M. Harman.","Wedding invitation for Dr. J. E. Brown and Marion A. Sullivan.","Composition titled \"The Powers of Custom.\"","Pressed flower and plant album featuring the English and Latin names of each specimen.","Henry L. Derby's notebook he kept while at the Theological Seminary in Fairfax County, Virginia. The notebook contains course lists and schedules, finances, and other writings. A loose piece of sheet music for \"Prince of Peace\" and a map of \"Paul's Third Journey\" are tucked into the back of the notebook.","Eight newspaper clippings. Four clippings are related to Charles A. Derby's career at Western Military Institute, Kentucky. One clipping is related to Derby's career at Eutaw Male Academy, Alabama. Two clippings are related to the death of his wife Clara J. Derby (Hunt). One clipping is Derby's obituary.","Book chiefly written by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) and Ann Taylor (1782-1866). Signature of Charlotte Derby (Bassett) written in pencil on the inside front cover.","Fragment (up to page 53) of the \"French \u0026 Son's Handbook and Directory for Worthing.\"","Funeral address and obituary notices for Nichoas Hamner Cobbs, D. D., who was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Alabama.","Place card with the name Wm. Hughlett.","A transcription of the poem \"Nearer Home.\" The transcriber is unknown."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may \nnot be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_a99018bbaf530d0adbfbbb07d3e700f4\"\u003eManuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 1\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 1"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Collier, Henry W., Governor, 1801-1855","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866","Harding, Cyrus, 1834-1893","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Derby Family","Stancell Family","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862"],"famname_ssim":["Derby Family","Stancell Family"],"persname_ssim":["Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Collier, Henry W., Governor, 1801-1855","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866","Harding, Cyrus, 1834-1893","Smith, Francis H. 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"],"total_component_count_is":90,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:09:06.300Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_600_c02"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Diplomas","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["VMI diplomas collection"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["VMI diplomas collection"],"text":["VMI diplomas collection","Diplomas","Pendleton, Edmund, 1823-1899","Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894","Colston, Raleigh E. (Raleigh Edward), 1825-1896","Welch, John, 1827-1879","Cary, John M. (John Mathews), 1829-1853","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Otey, Kirkwood, 1829-1897","English"],"title_filing_ssi":"Diplomas","title_ssm":["Diplomas"],"title_tesim":["Diplomas"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1840-1849"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1840/1849"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Diplomas"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["VMI diplomas collection"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":7,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849],"names_ssim":["Pendleton, Edmund, 1823-1899","Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894","Colston, Raleigh E. (Raleigh Edward), 1825-1896","Welch, John, 1827-1879","Cary, John M. (John Mathews), 1829-1853","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Otey, Kirkwood, 1829-1897"],"persname_ssim":["Pendleton, Edmund, 1823-1899","Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894","Colston, Raleigh E. (Raleigh Edward), 1825-1896","Welch, John, 1827-1879","Cary, John M. (John Mathews), 1829-1853","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Otey, Kirkwood, 1829-1897"],"language_ssim":["English"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-24T23:27:45.822Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_209.xml","title_ssm":["VMI diplomas collection"],"title_tesim":["VMI diplomas collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1842-1978"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1842-1978"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0129.oversized","/repositories/3/resources/209"],"text":["MS.0129.oversized","/repositories/3/resources/209","VMI diplomas collection","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—20th century","Diplomas","There are no restrictions.","John M. Robinson, class of 1855, received an honorary diploma in 1874. This diploma has been filed by the date it was presented and can be found in the file Diplomas, 1870-1879.","Diploma issued 1948.","Framed. Located on top of diplomas case.","Framed. Located on top of diplomas case.","Framed. Located on top of diplomas case.","Framed. Located on top of diplomas case.","Framed. Located on top of diplomas case.","The VMI diplomas collection consists of VMI diplomas from various eras. The oldest is that of Edmund Pendleton, Class of 1842. Contact the VMI Archives for a complete list.","Post graduate diploma awarding a Bachelor of Science diploma. Signed by Francis H. Smith.","Honorary diploma for John F. Bransford, VMI Class of 1867.","Honorary diploma for Andrew C. L. Gatewood, VMI Class of 1864.","Honorary diploma for Patrick H. Morgan, VMI Class of 1866.","Civil Engineering degree diploma also included.","Civil Engineering degree diploma included.","Civil engineering degree diploma included.","Includes VMI diploma (1909) and \"Diploma of Distinguished Merit\" awarded in 1961.","Includes Bachelor of Science in engineering.","Includes Bachelor of Science in engineering.","Bachelor of Science certificate only. No diploma in case.","Includes electrical engineering degree granted in 1925.","Includes Master of Arts degree granted in 1928.","Includes electrical engineering degree.","Includes law diploma and Bar certificate.","Certificate, 1943, issued to members of the Class of 1944 whose cadetships were interrupted by call to active duty. These are sometimes called War Diplomas.","Diploma awarding a Bachelor of Science (1947) to Raymond H. Woodall, Jr. after his return from World War II. 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(John Mathews), 1829-1853","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Otey, Kirkwood, 1829-1897","Christian, Marcellus P. (Marcellus Palmer), 1830-1879","Hall, James V. (James Virginius), 1827?-1887","Munford, Thomas T. (Thomas Taylor), 1831-1918","Arnold, William E. (William Elisha), 1830-1902","Carson, Robert P. (Robert Preston), 1832-1924","Crutchfield, Stapleton, 1835-1865","Boykin, Francis M. (Francis Marshall), 1837-1906","Easley, William H., 1832-1861","Moorman, Marcellus N. (Marcellus Newton), 1835-1904","Rumbough, George P. C. (George Philip Cowles), 1834-1916","Meade, Hodijah B. (Hodijah Baylies), 1838-1874","Tayloe, George E. (George Edward), 1838-1879?","Wilson, Norval C. (Norval Cornelius), 1837-1915","Cooke, Giles B. (Giles Buckner), 1838-1937","Green, Charles J. (Charles Jones), 1839-1909","Bentley, William W. (William Weldon), 1839-1924","Obenchain, William A. (William Alexander), 1841-1916","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Morson, William A. (William Alexander), 1843-1903","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Ross, Erskine M. (Erskine Mayo), 1845-1928","Evans, William E., 1845-1897","Spiller, George, 1845-1931","Bowen, Henry C. (Henry Clay), 1846-1928","Webb, John S. (John Samuel), 1845-1919","Butler, William H. (William Hazelwood), 1846-1896","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Page, William B. (William Byrd), 1850-1918","Clark, Thomas B. (Thomas Baker), 1851-1919","Robinson, John M. (John Moncure), 1835-1893","Gaillard, David L. (David LeClair), 1854-1938","Gaines, Grenville, 1854-1922","McCue, Harry M. (Harry McDowell), 1854-1939","Davis, Westmoreland D. (Westmoreland Delaware), 1859-1942","Tate, Thomas G. (Thomas Green), 1855-1936","Nichols, E. W. (Edward West), 1858-1927","Hancock, Edwin A. (Edwin Ammon), 1857-1910","Dennis, William F. (William Franklin), 1861-1946","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Henderson, James S. (James Screven), ?-1938","Pickett, George E., Jr. (George Edward), 1864-1911","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Moorman, Marcellus N., Jr. (Marcellus Newton), ?-1931","Palmer, William H. (William Henry), ?-1946","Goodwyn, Richard T. (Richard Tuggle), 1866-1952","Trundle, Horatio H. (Horatio Hartley), ?-1960","Bransford, John F. (John Francis), 1846-1911","Gatewood, Andrew C. L. (Andrew Cameron Lewis), 1843-1919","Morgan, Patrick H. (Patrick Henry), 1844-1917","Rockenbach, Samuel D. (Samuel Dickerson), 1869-1952","Moorman, John P. (John Pelham), 1868-1928","Stephens, James I. (James Irwin), 1869-1902","Magoffin, Beriah, Jr., 1869-1940","Watts, Charles W. (Charles Wilder), 1873-1931","Cocke, William H. (William Horner), 1874-1938","Kilbourne, Charles E. (Charles Evans), 1872-1963","Reynolds, Hardin W. (Hardin Williams), 1873-1944","Miller, Hugh B. (Hugh Byron), 1875-1931","Scott, William D., Jr. (William Dodds)","Garland, Herbert G. (Herbert Galt)","Wise, Jennings C. (Jennings Cropper), 1881-1968","Waddill, Edmund C. (Edmund Clivious), 1883-1964","Upshur, Alfred P. (Alfred Parker), 1885-1964","Whitney, George H. (George Harold), ?-1980","Barrett, Robert C. (Robert Cofer), 1885-1922","Doyle, Hobert E. (Hobert Elliott)","Mayo, Braxton D. (Braxton Davis), 1884-1968","Thompson, John V. (John Victor)","Barksdale, Alfred D. (Alfred Dickinson), 1892-1972","Fenno, Sylvan A. (Sylvan Alton)","Hirst, Virginius B. (Virginius Bitzer)","Whitefield, William I., Sr. (William Irvine)","Speer, George A., Jr. (George Alexander), 1890-1924","Throckmorton, Robert J. (Robert James)","Burress, Withers A. (Withers Alexander), 1894-1977","Tardy, Thomas H. (Thomas Howard), 1889-1960","Cosby, Walter W. (Walter William), 1894-1987","Loth, Moritz A. R. (Moritz Augustus Rust)","Lyne, Richard G. (Richard Gascoigne)","Boykin, Maury W. (Maury Wood), 1893-1984","Campbell, Hugh A., Jr. (Hugh Alexander), 1894-1968","Shepherd, Lemuel C., Jr. (Lemuel Cornick), 1896-1990","Mettenheimer, John M. (John Meggett)","Brown, Percy E. (Percy Eads), 1897-1979","Moncure, James A., Jr. (James Ashby), 1899-1989","Haskell, John C. (John Cheves), 1900-1957","Christian, Harold T. (Harold Talfourd), 1900-1970","Weaver, Richard C. (Richard Councill), 1898-1973","Wilmer, Frederic P. (Frederic Ponsoby), 1901-1987","Belden, Arthur W., Jr. (Arthur Williams)","Blain, Stanton F. (Stanton Forman), 1902-1972","Caldwell, Jesse W. (Jesse Walters), 1901-?","Letcher, John S. (John Seymour) (1903-1994)","Redd, Charles F. (Charles Faben), ?-1986","Neale, William T. (William Thomas), ?-1950","Webster, Henry M. (Henry Morison), 1904-1973","Kriete, Eduard W. (Eduard William)","Davis, John K. (John Kennerly), 1906-1975","Earle, Richard C. (Richard Carl)","Frazer, Percy W. (Percy Warner), 1906-?","Gillis, Leslie, Jr., ?-1987","Green, Duff, Jr., 1908-1987","Wagner, Adolph W. (Adolph Watts)","Kellogg, Robert W. (Robert Willis), 1902-?","Neikirk, Joseph D. (Joseph Dillard), 1911-1990","Will, Stuart C., Sr. (Stuart Creed), 1909-?","Adams, John N., Jr. (John Newton)","Goshorn, John A. (John Arthur), 1911-?","Kaufman, Lewis M. (Lewis Morris), 1912-?","Crafton, Hugh C., Jr. (Hugh Chesley)","Davis, Albert D. (Albert Daniel), 1913-1992","Booker, Lewis, Jr., ?-1990","Hippey, Frederick A. (Frederick Allen), ?-1945","Smithey, William R., Jr. (William Royall), 1919-?","Snyder, Thomas E. (Thomas Earl)","Graybeal, Kent (Kent Payne)","Nichols, Lee L., Jr. (Lee Lochhead)","Woodall, Raymond H., Jr. (Raymond Herndon)","Anderson, Benjamin Norwood, Jr.","Millimet, Stanley, 1928-2013","Atkinson, Harry E. (Harry Elwood)","Knapp, John W. (John Williams), 1932-","Paulette, David W., Jr. (David Walker)","Sydnor, George W., Jr. (George Woodson)","Anjier, Louis J., Jr. (Louis John)","Strickler, Edward R. (Edward Root)","Topp, Ronald A., III (Ronald Allen)","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0129.oversized","/repositories/3/resources/209"],"normalized_title_ssm":["VMI diplomas collection"],"collection_title_tesim":["VMI diplomas collection"],"collection_ssim":["VMI diplomas collection"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—20th century","Diplomas"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—20th century","Diplomas"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["80 items"],"extent_tesim":["80 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Diplomas"],"date_range_isim":[1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eJohn M. Robinson, class of 1855, received an honorary diploma in 1874. This diploma has been filed by the date it was presented and can be found in the file Diplomas, 1870-1879.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["John M. Robinson, class of 1855, received an honorary diploma in 1874. This diploma has been filed by the date it was presented and can be found in the file Diplomas, 1870-1879."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDiploma issued 1948.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General"],"odd_tesim":["Diploma issued 1948."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFramed. Located on top of diplomas case.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFramed. Located on top of diplomas case.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFramed. Located on top of diplomas case.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFramed. Located on top of diplomas case.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFramed. 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Morgan, VMI Class of 1866.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCivil Engineering degree diploma also included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCivil Engineering degree diploma included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCivil engineering degree diploma included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes VMI diploma (1909) and \"Diploma of Distinguished Merit\" awarded in 1961.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes Bachelor of Science in engineering.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes Bachelor of Science in engineering.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBachelor of Science certificate only. No diploma in case.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes electrical engineering degree granted in 1925.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes Master of Arts degree granted in 1928.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes electrical engineering degree.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes law diploma and Bar certificate.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCertificate, 1943, issued to members of the Class of 1944 whose cadetships were interrupted by call to active duty. These are sometimes called War Diplomas.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDiploma awarding a Bachelor of Science (1947) to Raymond H. Woodall, Jr. after his return from World War II. Also includes a certificate (1943) issued to members of the Class of 1944 whose cadetships were interrupted by call to active duty. These are sometimes called War Diplomas.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Contents Note","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The VMI diplomas collection consists of VMI diplomas from various eras. The oldest is that of Edmund Pendleton, Class of 1842. Contact the VMI Archives for a complete list.","Post graduate diploma awarding a Bachelor of Science diploma. Signed by Francis H. Smith.","Honorary diploma for John F. Bransford, VMI Class of 1867.","Honorary diploma for Andrew C. L. Gatewood, VMI Class of 1864.","Honorary diploma for Patrick H. Morgan, VMI Class of 1866.","Civil Engineering degree diploma also included.","Civil Engineering degree diploma included.","Civil engineering degree diploma included.","Includes VMI diploma (1909) and \"Diploma of Distinguished Merit\" awarded in 1961.","Includes Bachelor of Science in engineering.","Includes Bachelor of Science in engineering.","Bachelor of Science certificate only. No diploma in case.","Includes electrical engineering degree granted in 1925.","Includes Master of Arts degree granted in 1928.","Includes electrical engineering degree.","Includes law diploma and Bar certificate.","Certificate, 1943, issued to members of the Class of 1944 whose cadetships were interrupted by call to active duty. These are sometimes called War Diplomas.","Diploma awarding a Bachelor of Science (1947) to Raymond H. Woodall, Jr. after his return from World War II. Also includes a certificate (1943) issued to members of the Class of 1944 whose cadetships were interrupted by call to active duty. These are sometimes called War Diplomas."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eIncludes Bachelor of Science in engineering and Master of Arts from VMI given in 1916.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Materials"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["Includes Bachelor of Science in engineering and Master of Arts from VMI given in 1916."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_b2a0bc8cdc5cb6fc2c977497badc57a1\"\u003eOversized Case 1\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Oversized Case 1"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Pendleton, Edmund, 1823-1899","Saunders, Valentine C. (Valentine Cook), 1820-1894","Colston, Raleigh E. (Raleigh Edward), 1825-1896","Welch, John, 1827-1879","Cary, John M. (John Mathews), 1829-1853","Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862","Otey, Kirkwood, 1829-1897","Christian, Marcellus P. (Marcellus Palmer), 1830-1879","Hall, James V. (James Virginius), 1827?-1887","Munford, Thomas T. (Thomas Taylor), 1831-1918","Arnold, William E. (William Elisha), 1830-1902","Carson, Robert P. (Robert Preston), 1832-1924","Crutchfield, Stapleton, 1835-1865","Boykin, Francis M. (Francis Marshall), 1837-1906","Easley, William H., 1832-1861","Moorman, Marcellus N. (Marcellus Newton), 1835-1904","Rumbough, George P. C. (George Philip Cowles), 1834-1916","Meade, Hodijah B. (Hodijah Baylies), 1838-1874","Tayloe, George E. (George Edward), 1838-1879?","Wilson, Norval C. (Norval Cornelius), 1837-1915","Cooke, Giles B. (Giles Buckner), 1838-1937","Green, Charles J. (Charles Jones), 1839-1909","Bentley, William W. (William Weldon), 1839-1924","Obenchain, William A. (William Alexander), 1841-1916","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Morson, William A. (William Alexander), 1843-1903","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Ross, Erskine M. (Erskine Mayo), 1845-1928","Evans, William E., 1845-1897","Spiller, George, 1845-1931","Bowen, Henry C. (Henry Clay), 1846-1928","Webb, John S. (John Samuel), 1845-1919","Butler, William H. (William Hazelwood), 1846-1896","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Page, William B. (William Byrd), 1850-1918","Clark, Thomas B. (Thomas Baker), 1851-1919","Robinson, John M. (John Moncure), 1835-1893","Gaillard, David L. (David LeClair), 1854-1938","Gaines, Grenville, 1854-1922","McCue, Harry M. (Harry McDowell), 1854-1939","Davis, Westmoreland D. (Westmoreland Delaware), 1859-1942","Tate, Thomas G. (Thomas Green), 1855-1936","Nichols, E. W. (Edward West), 1858-1927","Hancock, Edwin A. (Edwin Ammon), 1857-1910","Dennis, William F. (William Franklin), 1861-1946","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Henderson, James S. (James Screven), ?-1938","Pickett, George E., Jr. (George Edward), 1864-1911","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Moorman, Marcellus N., Jr. (Marcellus Newton), ?-1931","Palmer, William H. (William Henry), ?-1946","Goodwyn, Richard T. (Richard Tuggle), 1866-1952","Trundle, Horatio H. (Horatio Hartley), ?-1960","Bransford, John F. (John Francis), 1846-1911","Gatewood, Andrew C. L. (Andrew Cameron Lewis), 1843-1919","Morgan, Patrick H. (Patrick Henry), 1844-1917","Rockenbach, Samuel D. (Samuel Dickerson), 1869-1952","Moorman, John P. (John Pelham), 1868-1928","Stephens, James I. (James Irwin), 1869-1902","Magoffin, Beriah, Jr., 1869-1940","Watts, Charles W. (Charles Wilder), 1873-1931","Cocke, William H. (William Horner), 1874-1938","Kilbourne, Charles E. (Charles Evans), 1872-1963","Reynolds, Hardin W. (Hardin Williams), 1873-1944","Miller, Hugh B. (Hugh Byron), 1875-1931","Scott, William D., Jr. (William Dodds)","Garland, Herbert G. (Herbert Galt)","Wise, Jennings C. (Jennings Cropper), 1881-1968","Waddill, Edmund C. (Edmund Clivious), 1883-1964","Upshur, Alfred P. (Alfred Parker), 1885-1964","Whitney, George H. (George Harold), ?-1980","Barrett, Robert C. (Robert Cofer), 1885-1922","Doyle, Hobert E. (Hobert Elliott)","Mayo, Braxton D. (Braxton Davis), 1884-1968","Thompson, John V. (John Victor)","Barksdale, Alfred D. (Alfred Dickinson), 1892-1972","Fenno, Sylvan A. (Sylvan Alton)","Hirst, Virginius B. (Virginius Bitzer)","Whitefield, William I., Sr. (William Irvine)","Speer, George A., Jr. (George Alexander), 1890-1924","Throckmorton, Robert J. (Robert James)","Burress, Withers A. (Withers Alexander), 1894-1977","Tardy, Thomas H. (Thomas Howard), 1889-1960","Cosby, Walter W. (Walter William), 1894-1987","Loth, Moritz A. R. (Moritz Augustus Rust)","Lyne, Richard G. (Richard Gascoigne)","Boykin, Maury W. (Maury Wood), 1893-1984","Campbell, Hugh A., Jr. (Hugh Alexander), 1894-1968","Shepherd, Lemuel C., Jr. (Lemuel Cornick), 1896-1990","Mettenheimer, John M. (John Meggett)","Brown, Percy E. (Percy Eads), 1897-1979","Moncure, James A., Jr. (James Ashby), 1899-1989","Haskell, John C. (John Cheves), 1900-1957","Christian, Harold T. (Harold Talfourd), 1900-1970","Weaver, Richard C. (Richard Councill), 1898-1973","Wilmer, Frederic P. (Frederic Ponsoby), 1901-1987","Belden, Arthur W., Jr. (Arthur Williams)","Blain, Stanton F. (Stanton Forman), 1902-1972","Caldwell, Jesse W. (Jesse Walters), 1901-?","Letcher, John S. (John Seymour) (1903-1994)","Redd, Charles F. (Charles Faben), ?-1986","Neale, William T. (William Thomas), ?-1950","Webster, Henry M. (Henry Morison), 1904-1973","Kriete, Eduard W. (Eduard William)","Davis, John K. (John Kennerly), 1906-1975","Earle, Richard C. (Richard Carl)","Frazer, Percy W. 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(George Philip Cowles), 1834-1916","Meade, Hodijah B. (Hodijah Baylies), 1838-1874","Tayloe, George E. (George Edward), 1838-1879?","Wilson, Norval C. (Norval Cornelius), 1837-1915","Cooke, Giles B. (Giles Buckner), 1838-1937","Green, Charles J. (Charles Jones), 1839-1909","Bentley, William W. (William Weldon), 1839-1924","Obenchain, William A. (William Alexander), 1841-1916","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Morson, William A. (William Alexander), 1843-1903","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Ross, Erskine M. (Erskine Mayo), 1845-1928","Evans, William E., 1845-1897","Spiller, George, 1845-1931","Bowen, Henry C. (Henry Clay), 1846-1928","Webb, John S. (John Samuel), 1845-1919","Butler, William H. (William Hazelwood), 1846-1896","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Page, William B. (William Byrd), 1850-1918","Clark, Thomas B. (Thomas Baker), 1851-1919","Robinson, John M. (John Moncure), 1835-1893","Gaillard, David L. (David LeClair), 1854-1938","Gaines, Grenville, 1854-1922","McCue, Harry M. (Harry McDowell), 1854-1939","Davis, Westmoreland D. (Westmoreland Delaware), 1859-1942","Tate, Thomas G. (Thomas Green), 1855-1936","Nichols, E. W. (Edward West), 1858-1927","Hancock, Edwin A. (Edwin Ammon), 1857-1910","Dennis, William F. (William Franklin), 1861-1946","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Henderson, James S. (James Screven), ?-1938","Pickett, George E., Jr. (George Edward), 1864-1911","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Moorman, Marcellus N., Jr. (Marcellus Newton), ?-1931","Palmer, William H. (William Henry), ?-1946","Goodwyn, Richard T. (Richard Tuggle), 1866-1952","Trundle, Horatio H. (Horatio Hartley), ?-1960","Bransford, John F. (John Francis), 1846-1911","Gatewood, Andrew C. L. (Andrew Cameron Lewis), 1843-1919","Morgan, Patrick H. (Patrick Henry), 1844-1917","Rockenbach, Samuel D. (Samuel Dickerson), 1869-1952","Moorman, John P. (John Pelham), 1868-1928","Stephens, James I. (James Irwin), 1869-1902","Magoffin, Beriah, Jr., 1869-1940","Watts, Charles W. (Charles Wilder), 1873-1931","Cocke, William H. (William Horner), 1874-1938","Kilbourne, Charles E. (Charles Evans), 1872-1963","Reynolds, Hardin W. (Hardin Williams), 1873-1944","Miller, Hugh B. (Hugh Byron), 1875-1931","Scott, William D., Jr. (William Dodds)","Garland, Herbert G. (Herbert Galt)","Wise, Jennings C. (Jennings Cropper), 1881-1968","Waddill, Edmund C. (Edmund Clivious), 1883-1964","Upshur, Alfred P. (Alfred Parker), 1885-1964","Whitney, George H. (George Harold), ?-1980","Barrett, Robert C. (Robert Cofer), 1885-1922","Doyle, Hobert E. (Hobert Elliott)","Mayo, Braxton D. (Braxton Davis), 1884-1968","Thompson, John V. (John Victor)","Barksdale, Alfred D. (Alfred Dickinson), 1892-1972","Fenno, Sylvan A. (Sylvan Alton)","Hirst, Virginius B. 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(Jesse Walters), 1901-?","Letcher, John S. (John Seymour) (1903-1994)","Redd, Charles F. (Charles Faben), ?-1986","Neale, William T. (William Thomas), ?-1950","Webster, Henry M. (Henry Morison), 1904-1973","Kriete, Eduard W. (Eduard William)","Davis, John K. (John Kennerly), 1906-1975","Earle, Richard C. (Richard Carl)","Frazer, Percy W. (Percy Warner), 1906-?","Gillis, Leslie, Jr., ?-1987","Green, Duff, Jr., 1908-1987","Wagner, Adolph W. (Adolph Watts)","Kellogg, Robert W. (Robert Willis), 1902-?","Neikirk, Joseph D. (Joseph Dillard), 1911-1990","Will, Stuart C., Sr. (Stuart Creed), 1909-?","Adams, John N., Jr. (John Newton)","Goshorn, John A. (John Arthur), 1911-?","Kaufman, Lewis M. (Lewis Morris), 1912-?","Crafton, Hugh C., Jr. (Hugh Chesley)","Davis, Albert D. (Albert Daniel), 1913-1992","Booker, Lewis, Jr., ?-1990","Hippey, Frederick A. (Frederick Allen), ?-1945","Smithey, William R., Jr. (William Royall), 1919-?","Snyder, Thomas E. 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(Edward Root)","Topp, Ronald A., III (Ronald Allen)"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":147,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-24T23:27:45.822Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_209_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Faculty applications, 19th century","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eFaculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions. Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster. This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Superintendent, Subject Files, 1839-1884 (Francis H. Smith)"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Superintendent, Subject Files, 1839-1884 (Francis H. Smith)"],"text":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Superintendent, Subject Files, 1839-1884 (Francis H. Smith)","Faculty applications, 19th century","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","English","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884."],"title_filing_ssi":"Faculty applications, 19th century","title_ssm":["Faculty applications, 19th century"],"title_tesim":["Faculty applications, 19th century"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1860; 1884"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1839/1884"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Faculty applications, 19th century"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"extent_ssm":["3 Linear Feet"],"extent_tesim":["3 Linear Feet"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":7,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884],"names_ssim":["Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Gilham, William, 1818-1872"],"persname_ssim":["Gilham, William, 1818-1872"],"language_ssim":["English"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFaculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884."],"_nest_path_":"/components#3/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:19.316Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_38.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00084.xml","title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1889"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1889"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Subgroup","Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"text":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38","Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online","Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. ","The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.","Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe","These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.","There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-","English"],"unitid_tesim":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creators_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"access_terms_ssm":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["30 Linear Feet"],"extent_tesim":["30 Linear Feet"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15821coll14\"\u003eSome items from the Smith papers are available online.\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eSome annual reports from the Smith administration are available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://cdm15821.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll14/searchterm/european/field/title/mode/all/conn/and/order/date\"\u003eAn annotated full text transcription is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eThis item is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access","Online Access","Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSmith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOver the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General"],"odd_tesim":["The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRecords of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Records of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/resources/795\"\u003eAnnual and Special Reports of the Superintendent\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/digital_objects/3\"\u003eReport on Scientific Education in Europe\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials","Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThese files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAlso mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFaculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWashington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMisc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThree page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBiographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eUnpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOversized case 9\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eU. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEdwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCollections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_38737c95f56a20b673a6f5327e0c023e\"\u003eArchives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":40,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:19.316Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c04_c02"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Financial and business records, historical","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eIncludes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_644.xml","title_ssm":["Financial and business records, historical"],"title_tesim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1964"],"unitdate_bulk_ssim":["1839-1964"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Subgroup","Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644"],"text":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644","Financial and business records, historical","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century","Subject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","This sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"","Claytor Hall was never built.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"","This property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"","This property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.","This property was purchased from Chester Wright.","This property was purchased from S. D. Manley.","This property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"","This property was purchased from Isabel Brooks.","Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.","Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026 Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.","Confederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863","Volume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.","Volume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).","Volume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) ","The bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).","This file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.","This folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.","This folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.","This sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building. Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements. Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables. \nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.","This diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.","This sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports.","A stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).","A stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6).","Archives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration, and Support","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","American Society of Civil Engineers","United States. Public Works Administration","Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","Sweet, Thurber, 1899-1915","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Alston, Joseph K. (Joseph Kirkland), 1860-?","Charlton, Thomas J. (Thomas Jackson), 1863-1920","Covey, James M. J. (James Montgomery Johnston), 1862-1889","Hartsook, Eugene E. (Eugene Ernest), 1860?-1918","Smith, Samuel W. (Samuel Williams), 1861-1892","Turner, John H. (John Henry), 1861-1892","Taylor, Richard C., Jr. (Richard Cornelius), 1863-1933","Wall, D. B., 1860?-?","Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1858-1937","Lazenby, James W. (James William), 1860-?","Omohumdro, Philip G. (Philip Grymes), 1862-1930","Wade, William H. (William Harvie), 1865-1899","Adams, Henry P. (Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866","English"],"unitid_tesim":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Financial and business records, historical"],"collection_title_tesim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"collection_ssim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creator_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creators_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["50 cubic feet"],"extent_tesim":["50 cubic feet"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Subject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","This sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eClaytor Hall was never built.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Chester Wright.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from S. D. Manley.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Isabel Brooks.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"","Claytor Hall was never built.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"","This property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"","This property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.","This property was purchased from Chester Wright.","This property was purchased from S. D. Manley.","This property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"","This property was purchased from Isabel Brooks."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eIncludes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLedgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026amp; Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eConfederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVolume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVolume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVolume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.","Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026 Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.","Confederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863","Volume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.","Volume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).","Volume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) ","The bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).","This file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.","This folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.","This folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.","This sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building. Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements. Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables. \nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.","This diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.","This sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6).\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Materials","Separated Materials"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["A stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).","A stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6)."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_e89632a3f252b78ddb1802dc4b4d0a1d\"\u003eArchives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Archives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration, and Support","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","American Society of Civil Engineers","United States. Public Works Administration","Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","Sweet, Thurber, 1899-1915","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Alston, Joseph K. (Joseph Kirkland), 1860-?","Charlton, Thomas J. (Thomas Jackson), 1863-1920","Covey, James M. J. (James Montgomery Johnston), 1862-1889","Hartsook, Eugene E. (Eugene Ernest), 1860?-1918","Smith, Samuel W. (Samuel Williams), 1861-1892","Turner, John H. (John Henry), 1861-1892","Taylor, Richard C., Jr. (Richard Cornelius), 1863-1933","Wall, D. B., 1860?-?","Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1858-1937","Lazenby, James W. (James William), 1860-?","Omohumdro, Philip G. (Philip Grymes), 1862-1930","Wade, William H. (William Harvie), 1865-1899","Adams, Henry P. (Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration, and Support","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","American Society of Civil Engineers","United States. Public Works Administration"],"persname_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","Sweet, Thurber, 1899-1915","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Alston, Joseph K. (Joseph Kirkland), 1860-?","Charlton, Thomas J. (Thomas Jackson), 1863-1920","Covey, James M. J. (James Montgomery Johnston), 1862-1889","Hartsook, Eugene E. (Eugene Ernest), 1860?-1918","Smith, Samuel W. (Samuel Williams), 1861-1892","Turner, John H. (John Henry), 1861-1892","Taylor, Richard C., Jr. (Richard Cornelius), 1863-1933","Wall, D. B., 1860?-?","Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1858-1937","Lazenby, James W. (James William), 1860-?","Omohumdro, Philip G. (Philip Grymes), 1862-1930","Wade, William H. (William Harvie), 1865-1899","Adams, Henry P. (Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":317,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:08:56.275Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_644.xml","title_ssm":["Financial and business records, historical"],"title_tesim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1964"],"unitdate_bulk_ssim":["1839-1964"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Subgroup","Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644"],"text":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644","Financial and business records, historical","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century","Subject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","This sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"","Claytor Hall was never built.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"","This property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"","This property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.","This property was purchased from Chester Wright.","This property was purchased from S. D. Manley.","This property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"","This property was purchased from Isabel Brooks.","Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.","Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026 Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.","Confederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863","Volume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.","Volume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).","Volume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) ","The bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).","This file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.","This folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.","This folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.","This sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building. Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements. Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables. \nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.","This diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.","This sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports.","A stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).","A stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6).","Archives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration, and Support","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","American Society of Civil Engineers","United States. Public Works Administration","Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","Sweet, Thurber, 1899-1915","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Alston, Joseph K. (Joseph Kirkland), 1860-?","Charlton, Thomas J. (Thomas Jackson), 1863-1920","Covey, James M. J. (James Montgomery Johnston), 1862-1889","Hartsook, Eugene E. (Eugene Ernest), 1860?-1918","Smith, Samuel W. (Samuel Williams), 1861-1892","Turner, John H. (John Henry), 1861-1892","Taylor, Richard C., Jr. (Richard Cornelius), 1863-1933","Wall, D. B., 1860?-?","Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1858-1937","Lazenby, James W. (James William), 1860-?","Omohumdro, Philip G. (Philip Grymes), 1862-1930","Wade, William H. (William Harvie), 1865-1899","Adams, Henry P. (Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866","English"],"unitid_tesim":["RG.04.Historical","/repositories/3/resources/644"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Financial and business records, historical"],"collection_title_tesim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"collection_ssim":["Financial and business records, historical"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creator_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"creators_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—20th century"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["50 cubic feet"],"extent_tesim":["50 cubic feet"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Subject files in this sub-group are arranged alphabetically. Files related to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) buildings and grounds are located in sub-group \"Buildings and grounds\" (Box 7).","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","Subject files in this series are arranged alphabetically.","This sub-group was previously in two boxes but was consolidated into one box in April 2025. This sub-group is arranged chronologically by building construction date."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePublic Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eClaytor Hall was never built.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Chester Wright.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from S. D. Manley.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis property was purchased from Isabel Brooks.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","Public Works Administration (PWA) Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooke House.\"","Claytor Hall was never built.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"McCullough Twin House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Blair House.\"","This property was purchased from W. B. Gilliam.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Larrick House.\"","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Penick House.\"","This property was purchased from Phil Lee in Wood's Creek valley.","This property was purchased from Chester Wright.","This property was purchased from S. D. Manley.","This property was purchased from L. S. Richardson.","This residence is sometimes referred to as the \"Brooks home.\"","This property was purchased from Isabel Brooks."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eIncludes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLedgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026amp; Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eConfederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVolume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVolume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVolume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Includes Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute through the early 20th century. These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington and Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen appear in vouchers.","Ledgers, vouchers, accounts, correspondence, and other financial records dating from the opening days of the Institute.  These records are a good source of information for tracing early purchases of goods and services; local Lexington \u0026 Rockbridge County businesses/artisans/craftsmen  appear in vouchers.","Confederate bond documents. These bonds were purchased by VMI in 1863","Volume 1 includes ledgers for 1934 Public Works Administration (PWA) construction projects involving the Military Store, Maury-Brooke Hall, the Utilities Building, and the Mess Hall. It also  includes ledgers for 1936 PWA construction projects involving the swimming pool and the Barracks.","Volume 2 includes ledgers for 1938-1939 PWA construction projects involving Preston Library and the Stables. It also includes ledgers for construction projects involving West Barracks (1948), faculty houses (1949), a Hospital extension (1950), Mallory Hall/Science Building (1950), Officers' Quarters (1952), Superintendent's Quarters (1952), and steam tunnels (1952).","Volume 3 includes ledgers for construction projects involving the enlarging of the Parade Ground (1953), the tunnel under Main Street (1953), repairs to the Old Pressing Shop (1954), the Guard Tree Memorial (1954), a public address system for the Parade Ground (1954), a transformer vault serving Scott Shipp and Cocke Halls (1954), the rehabilitation of the Cadet Battery (1953), Scott Shipp Hall (1954), Engineering Building (1954), Officers' Quarters (1954), improvements to the Auxiliary Drill Field and Physical Training Facilities (1954), the replacement of the Field House floor system (1954), the modernization of the Power Plant (1954), and several miscellaneous projects (1954-1955) ","The bulk of these files originated (although some were added to later) during William Couper's tenure as VMI Business Executive and Historiographer (1925-1954). Most of the files are not related to Business Office operations. Instead, many relate to VMI  historical matters (19th and 20th century) of interest to Couper. In some cases, they are the only or best source of information for specific VMI historical topics, particularly \"minor\" or obscure ones.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1899 and 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza). Includes documentation for the significant outbreaks of typhoid in 1910, when classes were suspended and cadets were sent home.","File containing correspondence, reports and other documents pertaining disease outbreaks in the Corps (typhoid, polio, and influenza).","This file also contains details about death of Cadet Thurber Sweet (VMI Class of 1915) who reportedly died from a hazing incident at VMI in 1915.","This folder contains a list of honorary alumni between 1909 and 1930.","This folder contains items related to the true meridian arrow located across from Mallory Hall.","This sub-group contains files that relate to various depression era building projects funded by the federal government, Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA projects include:\n Project 1 (#2312): A new dining hall, chemical laboratory addition, military store and tailor shop, and a laundry and utilities building. Project 2 (#1055): A new swimming pool and barracks repairs/improvements. Project 3 (#1323-F): A new library and stables. \nThe files also include William Couper's construction diaries for building of the mess hall, a military store, and barracks in 1936.","This diary also includes photographs of barracks construction and related newspaper clippings.","This sub-group contains files related to specific Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class years (e.g., reunions, clippings, and photographs) and files that contain materials used to create Annual Reports."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6).\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Materials","Separated Materials"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["A stack of cards that details World War II VMI casualties is also located in this box (Box 6).","A stack of cards that details students who took defense courses is also located in this box (Box 6)."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_e89632a3f252b78ddb1802dc4b4d0a1d\"\u003eArchives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Archives stacks, Record Group 04, Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration and Support"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. 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(Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Finance, Administration, and Support","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering","Virginia Military Institute. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering","American Society of Civil Engineers","United States. Public Works Administration"],"persname_ssim":["Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964","Sweet, Thurber, 1899-1915","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Alston, Joseph K. (Joseph Kirkland), 1860-?","Charlton, Thomas J. (Thomas Jackson), 1863-1920","Covey, James M. J. (James Montgomery Johnston), 1862-1889","Hartsook, Eugene E. (Eugene Ernest), 1860?-1918","Smith, Samuel W. (Samuel Williams), 1861-1892","Turner, John H. (John Henry), 1861-1892","Taylor, Richard C., Jr. (Richard Cornelius), 1863-1933","Wall, D. B., 1860?-?","Duncan, Asa L. (Asa Leland), 1858-1937","Lazenby, James W. (James William), 1860-?","Omohumdro, Philip G. (Philip Grymes), 1862-1930","Wade, William H. (William Harvie), 1865-1899","Adams, Henry P. (Henry Patterson), 1862-1924","Campbell, Clarence J. (Clarence Jackson), 1862-1926","Gibbs, Lewis McC. (Lewis McCampbell), 1863-1903","Moncure, William A. (William Augustus), 1863-1947","Whitehead, Leonard J. (Leonard James), 1860-1938","Semmes, Bernard B. (Bernard Brockenbrough), 1864-1917","Bulman, Alvin D. (Alvin Durbin), 1865-?","Corse, Montgomery B. (Montgomery Beverly), 1866-1931","Eldridge, William M. (William Moseley), 1863-1919","Fitzgerald, Alexander H. (Alexander Herbert), 1863-1913","Frost, Edward D. (Edward Downes), 1866-1892","Hager, John J. (John Jackson), 1864-1930","Marshall, George, 1865-1906","Steptoe, William H. (William Henry), 1864?-1940","Trotter, Carter P. J. (Carter Page Johnson), 1860-1900","Vaden, Lewis, 1861-1893","Woodward, Richard H. (Richard Henley), 1864-1948","Burgwyn, Henry K., Jr. (Henry King), 1841-1863","Dillard, John L. (John Lea), 1877-1959","Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972","Handy, Thomas T. (Thomas Troy), 1892-1982","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891","Clinedinst, B. West (Benjamin West), 1859-1931","Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":317,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:08:56.275Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_644"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Francis H. Smith Personal Papers","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05_c03","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c05"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Francis H. Smith Personal and Biographical Material"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Francis H. Smith Personal and Biographical Material"],"text":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Francis H. Smith Personal and Biographical Material","Francis H. Smith Personal Papers","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","English","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife."],"title_filing_ssi":"Francis H. Smith Personal Papers","title_ssm":["Francis H. Smith Personal Papers"],"title_tesim":["Francis H. Smith Personal Papers"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1833-1890"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1833/1890"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Francis H. Smith Personal Papers"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"extent_ssm":["3 Linear Feet"],"extent_tesim":["3 Linear Feet"],"creator_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":4,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":17,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890],"names_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917"],"language_ssim":["English"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife."],"_nest_path_":"/components#4/components#2","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:19.316Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_38.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00084.xml","title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1889"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1889"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Subgroup","Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"text":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38","Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online","Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. ","The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.","Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe","These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.","There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-","English"],"unitid_tesim":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creators_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"access_terms_ssm":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["30 Linear Feet"],"extent_tesim":["30 Linear Feet"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15821coll14\"\u003eSome items from the Smith papers are available online.\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eSome annual reports from the Smith administration are available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://cdm15821.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll14/searchterm/european/field/title/mode/all/conn/and/order/date\"\u003eAn annotated full text transcription is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eThis item is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access","Online Access","Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSmith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOver the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General"],"odd_tesim":["The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRecords of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Records of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/resources/795\"\u003eAnnual and Special Reports of the Superintendent\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/digital_objects/3\"\u003eReport on Scientific Education in Europe\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials","Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThese files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAlso mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFaculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWashington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMisc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThree page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBiographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eUnpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOversized case 9\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eU. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEdwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCollections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_38737c95f56a20b673a6f5327e0c023e\"\u003eArchives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. 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Smith speeches and publications","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c06#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eA chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses. These were published in pamphlet form. 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Smith, 1839-1889","Francis H. Smith speeches and publications","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Virginia Military Institute—Speeches, addresses, etc.","Speeches, Addresses, etc.","English","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia."],"title_filing_ssi":"Francis H. Smith speeches and publications","title_ssm":["Francis H. Smith speeches and publications"],"title_tesim":["Francis H. Smith speeches and publications"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1841-1879"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1841/1879"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Francis H. Smith speeches and publications"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. 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Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879],"names_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Speeches, addresses, etc.","Speeches, Addresses, etc."],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Speeches, addresses, etc.","Speeches, Addresses, etc."],"language_ssim":["English"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia."],"_nest_path_":"/components#5","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:19.316Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_38.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00084.xml","title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"unitdate_ssm":["1839-1889"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1839-1889"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Subgroup","Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"text":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38","Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online","Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. ","The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.","Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe","These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.","There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-","English"],"unitid_tesim":["RG.02.01-SmithFH","/repositories/3/resources/38"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_title_tesim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"collection_ssim":["Records of Superintendent Francis H. Smith, 1839-1889"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creator_persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"creators_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent."],"access_terms_ssm":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Military education -- Virginia -- History -- 19th century","Military schools -- Southern States","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["30 Linear Feet"],"extent_tesim":["30 Linear Feet"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15821coll14\"\u003eSome items from the Smith papers are available online.\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eSome annual reports from the Smith administration are available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://cdm15821.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll14/searchterm/european/field/title/mode/all/conn/and/order/date\"\u003eAn annotated full text transcription is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll21/id/1680\"\u003eThis item is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access","Online Access","Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["Some items from the Smith papers are available online.","Some annual reports from the Smith administration are available online","An annotated full text transcription is available online","This item is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSmith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOver the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Francis H. Smith served for fifty years (1839-1889) as VMI's first Superintendent. Smith was born in 1812, graduated from West Point in 1833, and came to Lexington, Virginia in 1839 to lead the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He died in March 1890, a few months after his retirement as Superintendent. He was known as the builder and --after the Civil War-- rebuilder of VMI. His official correspondence spans the period 1839-1889, with few gaps. The Civil War era and earlier letters survived Gen. David Hunter's destruction of many Institute buildings in June 1864. Smith corresponded with the notable military, educational, and political leaders of his time, making the correspondence a rich resource for scholars.","In 1858, after nearly twenty years as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Francis H. Smith needed some time off. Consequently, he was granted a leave of absence by the VMI Board of Visitors to travel to Europe to visit military, scientific, and agricultural institutions and to write a report on his findings upon his return.","Smith and several young alumni departed on the 9th of June and returned at the end of December 1858 having visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Each night, he wrote a letter home to his wife Sara describing what he had seen and experienced that day. These letters, possibly Smith's only personal correspondence that has survived, were transcribed into three small letter books on his return. ","Over the years, the three volumes passed down through the Smith family, but sadly one was lost. Col. Edwin Dooley, a historian who has done extensive research on Smith, transcribed and annotated the two surviving letter books covering Smith's travels through the United Kingdom and France. "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General"],"odd_tesim":["The original letter books were transcribed and annotated by Edwin L. Dooley, Jr."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRecords of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Records of the Superintendent.  Francis H. Smith Administration. [specific series/item/date]"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/resources/795\"\u003eAnnual and Special Reports of the Superintendent\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/digital_objects/3\"\u003eReport on Scientific Education in Europe\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials","Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Annual and Special Reports of the Superintendent","Report on Scientific Education in Europe"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThese files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAlso mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSubject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFaculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWashington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMisc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThree page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBiographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFrancis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eUnpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOversized case 9\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eU. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEdwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["These files constitute the major record series generated by the office of Francis H. Smith, VMI's first Superintendent. He served from 1839-1889. The records, (ca. 30 linear feet) consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, order books, speeches and publications, annual reports, personal file, and subject files.","Incoming correspondence of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith, for the period 1839-1870.  The original 19th century  filing order has been retained.  Each incoming letter was assigned a number by Smith's secretary; these letters were then filed numerically by letter number within each year.  Some years were further broken down into alphabetical sections (A-K; L-Z etc.) and thus have more multiple numerical sequences within an individual year.  It is therefore the case that some years have more than one letter number 1, 2 etc.  Some letters for the year 1870 are missing; occasional other missing letters are identifed on the index; however the series is largely complete.\n \nThese letters are indexed by name of sender.  \nOutgoing letters for the period are located in bound letter books, which are arranged chronologically.","Francis H. Smith incoming correspondence, 1885-1889.  These letters are no longer filed in the numbered sequence that was used for the period 1839-1870;  they are filed alphabetically within each year.   Corresponding outgoing letters are located in separate  letter books for the period.  Incoming correspondence for the period 1871-1884, except for a few miscellaneous items, is not extant.  This was noted by William Couper in the 1930's, and it is not know at what point or under what circumstances the incoming letters for this period were lost.  Outgoing letters for 1871-1884 are extant.","The outgoing letterbooks (bound volumes) of VMI's first Superintendent Francis H. Smith, who served from 1839-1889. There are no outgoing letters from 1864 August 9-1865 October 30.","Virginia Military Institute printed circular, signed in ink by Superintendent Francis H. Smith, petitioning alumni for donations of \"Curiousities, both literary and natural\" to help establish a Museum at VMI. This examples is dated February 27, 1845, and addressed to William S. Beale, a member of the Class of 1843.","Also mentions addition to Barracks, new Gun House, Society of Cadets Hall, and Library.","Subject Files maintained by the office of VMI's first Superintendent, Francis H. Smith","Applications and letters of recommendations for students applying to VMI, 1839-1864 (gaps).  Includes successful and unsuccessful applicants and some who were accepted but never matriculated.  5 boxes","Faculty applications, historical. Letters of application and supporting letters of recommendation submitted for several faculty and staff positions.  Includes positions of Professor of Modern Languages, Physical Sciences, Steward, Quartermaster.  This file only relates to a few specific positions. 1839-1860; 1884.","Washington College (now Washington and Lee University). Several items, 1845, concerning a complaint lodged by Washington College  against VMI, which ultimately led to a severance of academic ties between the two institutions.   Prof. George Dodd Armstrong represented the College on this issue.  For a full account, see the book 100 Years at VMI (William Couper), vol. 1, pps. 139-147.\nThe file also includes one unrelated  document from 1860.","Includes letter from Francis H. Smith to Dr. Galt inviting him to the statue dedication;  original manuscript of remarks made at the Washington Statue dedication on July 3, 1856 by William B. Taliaferro, Revd. John H. Bowcock,  Francis H. Smith. Information (photocopies, 1864-1866) concerning the confiscation of the statue by Gen. Hunter's troops and its return from West Virginia in 1866, including copies of letters from David H. Strother of Gen. Hunter's staff.","Misc. Later documents (post-Smith era) re: Statue","19th century legal documents.  Records of VMI attorneys Letcher, Maury and Letcher relating to collection of cadet debts after Civil War, 1871-1873","A chronological file, 1843-1848; 1865-1899, containing examples of academic department annual reports from the 19th century. These reports from the various academic departments were submitted to the Superintendent and help to document the early academic history of the Institute.  This file includes early reports by John T. L. Preston (Languages), and Thomas H. Williamson (Engineering), as well as reports by other early faculty members.  The series has many gaps; for example, none from the 1850's. The reports reflect some subjects that are no longer taught, e.g., Latin, drawing, mineralogy. 1 box","Three page memorandum of agreement (July 13, 1870) between sculptor Frederick Volck and VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith.  Volck was to complete a bronze equestrian statue of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, but the project was never finished.  (See the book \"One Hundred Years at VMI\" by William Couper,  vol 3, p. 212, for an account of Volck's relationship with VMI).","Biographical material and miscellaneous Smith and Smith family personal papers.","Francis H. Smith individual biographical file, compiled over decades.  Contains biographical and genealogical information, clippings, articles and other general information relating to Francis H. Smith and his family.","Unpublished typescript by Francis H. Smith III.  This is the only full length biography of Francis H. Smith and is a useful source for information not found elsewhere.","Miscellaneous Francis H. Smith and Smith family personal records. Includes 2 volumes of personal letters written while on his trip to Europe in 1858, along with a scrapbook containing engravings of places visited; misc. personal correspondence, including one letter from Scott Shipp thanking Smith for his condolences upon the death of Shipp's wife.","The United States Military Academy diploma awarded to Francis H. Smith in 1833.  The ink is badly faded.  Bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson.","Oversized case 9","U. S. Army commission document signed in 1834; commission as Second Lieutenant to date from November 1833.","Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., former Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Secretary to the Board of Visitors, is also a historian who has studied Francis H. Smith in depth.  This material comprises some of his research notes.  It relates to Smith's biography and tenure as Superintendent/official records.","A chronological file containing originals and copies of Smith's published addresses, speeches, discourses.  These were published in pamphlet form.  VMI owns originals for many; for those not found in the VMI Archives, the staff obtained photocopies from the Library of Virginia."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCollections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions; fragile and oversized items may have copying or scanning limitations.","Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_38737c95f56a20b673a6f5327e0c023e\"\u003eArchives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Archives stacks, Record Group 02, Superintendent"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Virginia Military Institute. Office of the Superintendent.","Virginia Military Institute. Museum","Virginia Military Institute. Alumni Association","Virginia Military Institute. Library"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Beale, William S. (William Steenbergen)","Gilham, William, 1818-1872","Armstrong, George D. (George Dodd), 1813-1899","Bowcock, John, Rev.","Taliaferro, John B.","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890","Volck, Frederick.","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Walker, James A. (James Alexander)","Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845","Smith, Francis H., Jr. (Francis Henney), 1849-1917","Dooley, Edwin L., 1942-"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":40,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:19.316Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_38_c06"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Fulkerson Family correspondence","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThis series consists of three items of correspondence, including: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"text":["Fulkerson Family papers","Fulkerson Family correspondence","English","This series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n Letter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835) Letter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847) Letter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) "],"title_filing_ssi":"Fulkerson Family correspondence","title_ssm":["Fulkerson Family correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Fulkerson Family correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1835-1848"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1835/1848"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Fulkerson Family correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"extent_ssm":["3 items"],"extent_tesim":["3 items"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":25,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848],"language_ssim":["English"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n Letter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835) Letter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847) Letter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) "],"_nest_path_":"/components#3","timestamp":"2026-05-29T07:04:30.871Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_596.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00012.xml","title_ssm":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"title_tesim":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1835-1925"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1835-1925"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0363","/repositories/3/resources/596"],"text":["MS.0363","/repositories/3/resources/596","Fulkerson Family papers","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 37th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 31st","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 10th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 23rd","Confederate States of America. Army—Tennessee Infantry Regiment, 63rd","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1857","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1884","Virginia Military Institute—Board of Visitors","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862","Port Republic, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Kernstown, Battle of, 1862","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Prisoners and prisons","Winchester (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Winchester, 1st Battle of (Virginia : May 25, 1862)","McDowell, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Correspondence","There are no restrictions.","Many items from this collection, including the Civil War material, are   available in full-text format","Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862) was born in Washington County, Virginia to Colonel Abram Fulkerson, Sr. and Margaret Laughlin Vance on October 21, 1822. As a young man he undertook the study of law, and in late 1846 he obtained his license and opened a practice in southwestern Virginia. He served in the United States Army during the Mexican War (1847-1848), and subsequently returned to  practice of law in Estillville and Abingdon, Virginia. In 1857 he was elected judge of the thirteenth judicial district and held this position until the beginning of the Civil War. He was a member of the VMI Board of Visitors from 1852 to 1854 and from 1857 to 1858. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was killed in the Battle of Gaines's Mill, Virginia on June 26, 1862.","Abram Fulkerson, Jr. (1834-1902) was born on May 13, 1834 in Washington County, Virginia and was the younger brother of Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862). He graduated from VMI in 1857, and after a brief career as a teacher, went on to study law. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 63rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment and was a prisoner of war (one of the \"Immortal 600\"). After the War he continued the practice law and was active in politics, serving in the Virginia legislature and in the United States          Congress. He 1862 he married Selina Johnson, of Clarksville,  Tennessee, and the couple had nine children, including Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), VMI Class of 1884. Abram Fulkersonm, Jr. died on December 17, 1902 in Bristol, Virginia.","Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926) was born on October 22, 1863 in Abingdon, Virginia to Abram Fulkerson, Jr. and Selina Johnson. He graduated from VMI in 1884 and subsequently studied law at the University of Virginia. He was a lawyer (partner in the firm of Fulkerson and Davis in Bristol, Virginia) and served two terms as City Attorney. During the Spanish-American War (1898- 1899) he was a member of the Fourth Tennessee Regiment, United States Volunteers. In 1904 he married Lura Bradley of Sherman, Texas, and the couple had twin sons in April 1906. He died on July 2, 1926 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is buried at East Hill Cemetery, Bristol.","Winchester \n9 March 1862","My Dear Mother \nNot having written or heard from home for sometime, I will write you a short letter today. You will see from the heading of this that we have not yet gone to Manassas and I cannot tell when we will go. We will not get away, unless Winchester is evacuated, while the present state of things exists here.","Genl. Banks with his army has been maneuvering about twelve miles in our front for several days. On day before yesterday we thought that we were certainly in for a fight. Banks attacked our outer posts, when we packed our baggage and sent it to the rear, and marched the men on the Martinsburg road about two miles from Winchester, where we drew up and waited for the approach of the enemy. But after skirmishing with our pickets an hour or two, he withdrew again. We lost only one man, but not of my Regt.","We have not a large force here, and I do not know what Genl. Jackson will do if the enemy advances upon us. All of the public stores have been sent away, and many of the citizens have left. There are a good many here who sympathize with the Yankees, and will be rejoiced if they get possession of Winchester. This is such a beautiful country that I should regret to see it fall into the hands of the Yankees.","Since we came back from Romney we have had three different encampments. First on the Romney Road, but when the enemy crossed at Harper's Ferry we moved and took position on that road about three miles from Winchester; and on yesterday we moved to this place, which is on the Strasburg road about three and a half miles from Winchester near a village called Kernstown.","It is doubtful about how much I will write as I have been over six hours in getting this much written. In a letter from Col. Gibson he asked what I wished you and Kate to do in case the enemy got into our county. If they should get in, and you are willing to do so, I think that you had better remain at home. Refugees have a hard time, and when people leave their homes everything is destroyed. Mr. Faulkner (Honl. Charles J.) told me that his wife had saved his property by staying at home. But if it should come to the worst, and you prefer it, leave and let the property go. I care little for the property except on yours and Kate's account. For myself I feel that I have no home so long as it is threatened by the enemy, and I would willingly give up all I have, and commence the world anew without a thing, rather than that the enemy should subjugate us.","We are very hardly pressed now, and it depends upon the spirit of our people whether we bear up against it, or give way under it. When I see so many men and especially officers shirking duty and who seem to make it a study as to the best manner in which they can get around duty, I almost despair. Many are all the time seeking personal ease or pursuing schemes of personal advancement, and would appear to be willing to sacrifice their country to attain their object. I suppose though that all wars produce the same class of selfish men, and that we must expect to be cursed with them. I do not intend to be troubled hereafter with the reflection that I did not do my duty in this conflict.","I did have some hope that I could go home for a short time this winter, but do not now expect to do so. If I had the permission I would not go now, while we are so near the enemy. Besides, so many of the officers are absent that it would be highly improper for any more to leave. In the absence of Col. Taliaferro I still have command of the 4th Brigade, which now only consists of two regiments and four pieces of artillery.","I learn that we have had very high waters in our country and that much damage has been done. I was sorry to hear that Uncle James had lost his dam. I take it that he will not get his mills to running again for some time. If any of the fence about the creek washed away, get Mr. Hughes or some one to help Lee put it up. Today (Sunday) has been a very spring-like one. Citizens say that this has been a very wet winter here and not as much cold as usual, but still the ground has not been clear of snow since the first of Jany. Scarcely any ploughing has been done here yet, and little else in the farming line. See if you can't get meal and flour from Mrs. Hopkins' mill; If not try at some other place. Henry Roberts might furnish you with meal.","I suffered for two or three weeks with a severe cold, but kept up and am now nearly well again. Jas. Vance is well. He spent this Sunday in building a chimney to his tent. He has said several times that he would not fix up any more. He has built a good many chimneys, but had soon to leave them.","Give my love to Kate and Selina. Tell Selina that she ought to write to me. You and Kate must write soon, and tell me where Ike and Abe are. Tell Amelia Vance that I will write to her when I can. I have nothing to write about but army movements, but they will have as much interest to you as anything else.","Your son, \nSaml. V. Fulkerson","Camp Near New Market \n3 Apl. 1862 ","Dear Kate \nA few days ago I wrote you giving some account of our fight near Winchester. Since that time we have been marching up and down the valley, one day falling back before the enemy and the next advancing towards him, skirmishing with him almost daily. He is now in strong force about ten miles off. Genl. Jackson has taken a position here, but whether he will fight at this place or not I am unable to say. If he has sufficient force he would not wait to be attacked.","I have been unable to hear from Jas. Vance, though I have [missing word or words] letter to Judge Parker of Winchester about him. I cannot think that he was mortally wounded, from what the men say who put him in the ambulance. I feel very much for Uncle James and family in their repeated bereavements. I miss Jimmy greatly, and would be greatly pleased to hear that his wound is not dangerous. I have seen a list of the prisoners who were taken to Baltimore but Jimmie's name is not among them. However, I am not surprised at this, as the wounded would not for awhile be removed from Winchester. I may yet get some information from Winchester about him. ","Capt. Cowan (of Russell) died of his wounds. He was a brave man and good officer. James King was as good a soldier as ever entered the line. He went off with Capt. Jones Co., was transferred to Col. Cummings Regt. and then transferred to mine. After the fight was half over, he remarked that \"he was proud of being in the 37th.\" The poor fellow was shot through the head and did not speak afterwards. Leroy Sherman among others was taken prisoner and is in Baltimore. ","The [people along the valley] claim our fight as a victory, but it is not so. We attacked a greatly superior forces and were repulsed with heavy loss. If night had not set in we would all have been captured or killed. The enemy's loss was very heavy, for our men fought with desperate courage. our loss is 469 killed and wounded. The killed wounded and missing amount to 689. This is an uncommonly heavy loss when we did not have over 3000 men in the fight. A loss of 10 per ct. is regarded as great, but ours was but little less than on fourth. My Regt. sustained the greatest loss, the killed and wounded alone being a little less than one fourth, and including the missing is a little less than one third. The northern papers speak of the terrible slaughter on their side in front of the stone fence behind which I had my Brigade. I learn that at this point the 5th Ohio Regt. was nearly [ruined]--they were a part of the rascals who aided in chasing us from Laurel Hill.","The conduct of the late North western army (Loring's) [missing words] the fight, is spoken of by the Genl. in high terms of praise. There is a difficulty with Genl. Garnett who commanded the Stonewall Brigade, but I can't speak of particulars. Genl. Winder is now in command of that Brigade.","Our men are in fine spirits and I think will fight as well now as they did at Winchester, although they feel sad, when they think of the fall of their comrades. Our flagstaff was shot down, but the flag bearer instantly raised it again and kept it floating throughout the fight. The days work hurt my horse worse than anything which he has gone through. He was under the saddle from daylight till 11 at night and was greatly excited. The reports of the guns did not scare him, but the whistling of the balls and particularly the minnie ball excited him to the highest pitch. He has not yet recovered. You will see many exaggerated accounts of the fight in the papers. If we can't get a better and more substantial reputation than a mere newspaper one, I don't want [missing words].\nI told Judge Parker [missing words] stay with you at nights during court. He is a refugee and I want to do all for him that I can. Tell Selina that here she can't write to Abe, she can write to me. Try and get the fence put up in some way. Send the enclosed to Mr. Belkin for Judge Camden. Write soon. Love to Mother \u0026 S. \nYour brother, Saml. V. Fulkerson.","Official Report of the Battle of McDowell, May 8th, 1862","Head Qrs. 37 Regt. VA. Vols. Mason's Cabins, Augusta Co., Va.   \n16 May 1862","Sir- \nIn making my official report of the part borne by my Regt in the battle near McDowell on the 8th inst., I have to say; that when I was ordered to the field, being about one mile distant, I had to pass on a portion of the way, up a very rocky \u0026 brushy hollow, which embarrassed the advance of my men greatly, and it being nothing but a defile, and the men having to advance in a single file, the Regt. necessarily stretched out over a long line. They were also much annoyed on the march after entering the field, by the shell from one of the enemies guns. ","When I reached the line of battle at the head of my Regt. (marching by flank) Brig. Genl. Taliaferro informed me that the enemy were endeavoring to turn our right flank by passing over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va Vols were there to prevent the flank movement \u0026 he ordered me to support the 31st. I at once filed into the woods, but not knowing the position of either the 31st or of the enemy, for they were not at that time firing, I got in between the two, but nearer the enemy. On halting to put my men in line, I found that I had with me only my two front companies, Co. A Capt. Terry \u0026 Co. F. Capt. Graham. In pushing forward up the ravine two companies got ahead of the others, and when the remainder got to the line of battle, I with the two first were in the woods. As soon as I formed the two companies I ordered them to give a shout which they did with a hearty good will, and we charged down the hill directly at the enemy, and when we got within forty or fifty yards of him he broke and fled, when we instantly opened fire upon them as they ran. He did not stop running till he got entirely out of the woods around the hill.","When the remainder of the Regt. reached the line of battle in the field they joined in the fight there, but after awhile Maj. Williams brought a portion of it to me in the woods, not knowing that I might be hard pressed there. But before he reached me the woods were clear of the enemy, and I marched all back to the main fight in the field.","When I got on our line it was nearly dark and we could only see the outline of the enemy on the hill side below us, \u0026 that soon disappeared, when we could only direct our fire by the flash of the enemy's guns. The fight was kept up till 9 at night when the enemy withdrew, leaving us in full possession of the field. During the fight some of my men were out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded. ","I have to report the loss of some good officers and brave men. Capt. Terry, a gallant man and model officer, was severely wounded in the leg. Lieuts. Wilhelm, May, Dye, and Fletcher were badly wounded, and the two latter have since died. These Lieuts were young officers, but they nobly did their duty. All of my officers and men who went upon the field acted in the most gallant manner, and it would be unjust to discriminate by name, except in the case of the wounded.* The loss of my Regt. is thirty nine killed and wounded and one missing, a list of whom I herewith enclose.","I feel indebted to Surgeon Hinkle and Asst. Surgeon Butler for their prompt and untiring attention to the wounded. My Acting Adjt. C.T. Duncan also deserves special mention for the manner in which he discharged his duties upon the field.","I cannot close this report without saying that my chaplain the Revd. A.B. Carrington deserves the highest praise for his conduct during and since the fight. He was struck by a spent ball, and although it made him very sick for awhile, he was and continued to be unremitting in his attention to the wounded.","Respectfully \nSaml. V. Fulkerson Col. 37 Va. Vols \nCapt Wm. B. Pendleton  AAAGenl. 3d Brigade. V.D.","*I am especially indebted to Maj. T.V. Williams for gallantry and good conduct throughout the fight. He was of great benefit in placing the men in their proper positions.","Camp at Mason's Cabins. Augusta Co.  16 May 1862 ","Dear Kate \nIt has been a good while since I wrote and the reason is that I have not had an opportunity of writing, and I feel little like it now. We have been constantly marching, fighting and watching for more than a month, and the consequence is that we are all nearly broken down, with fatigue, loss of sleep and irregularity in eating. But his being the day set apart by the President for humiliation and prayer, Genl. Jackson has ordered his army to observe it, and to abstain from all military duty, and that divine service be had in all of the Regts. But as it is now and has been raining for two days, there will be little chance for preaching out of doors.","I believe that I wrote you from Meecham's River Depot in Albemarle Co. A portion of the Regt. took the cars there for Staunton and the remainder marched on to the side of the Blue Ridge where they went on to the cars and got to Staunton about day, not having eaten anything or slept any since the night before. We stayed at Staunton that {night} and left the next day in this direction. We joined Genl. Johnson's (Alleghany) forces about six miles from Staunton. The enemy had one Regt at the east foot of the Shenandoah mountains near this place. This we came near surprising and taking with four pieces of their cannon. But they escaped, leaving all of their baggage and camp equipage and commissary stores in our hands. They fled cross the mountain to the western foot where they had two other Regts, which became alarmed \u0026 fled leaving everything, and all fell back to McDowell where their main body (Genl. Milroy in command) was stationed.","We then went into camp and on the morning of the 8th we moved towards McDowell. This is a village in Highland county about thirty miles from Staunton and ten from Monterey. Genl Johnson with his brigade was sent forward as the advance and our Brigade (10th, 23rd, and 37th Va. Vols) followed. When within about a mile of McDowell light skirmishing began, which was kept up till evening, we in the mean time having been halted about a mile in the rear. In the evening our advance Brigade and the enemy became engaged in a general fight and we were ordered forward at a double quick. A portion of the way over which we had to go was up a very rocky and brushy hollow, and when we reached our line of battle we were nearly out of breath. All along the way we were exposed to the enemy's file by their shooting at our advance and the balls striking among and around us. The whistling of the bullets excited my horse so much that he became unmanageable and I had to send him to the rear before I got upon the field. When I got on the field I asked the Genl. where my Regt. should be placed, when he said that the enemy were trying to turn our right flank over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va. was there for the purpose of holding them back and that I must support the 31st. I at once double quicked into the woods. When I got there I found that I had but two companies (Capt. Terry's \u0026 Capt. Graham's) in consequence of my having hurried the front up the hollow so fast that they left the remainder behind and out of sight. One of the enemy's cannon was also brought to bear upon the Regt. which also embarrassed the rear. I did not know the position either of the 31st or the enemy in the woods, as they were not firing. The consequence was that I entered the woods between the two, but nearer the enemy. ","I at once formed my two companies, gave them the order to raise a shout, which they did very lustily, and we charged down the hill right at the foe. They stood till we got within forty or fifty yards of them when they broke and fled and we opened fire upon them as they ran. We ran them entirely out of the woods. Our movement was so sudden and unexpected that the enemy seemed to be surprised and much frightened. It seemed like a bold move, but I think it was the best for my men, as I only lost two men wounded (one of them mortally) at this point. The remainder of the Regt. not knowing where I was went into the main fight when they came upon the field, but after a while a portion of them we ordered to join me in the woods which they did, but there being no enemy in the woods at this time I took them all back and entered the fight in the field.","It was nearly dark and we could only see the outlines of the enemy, which was soon lost \u0026 we had to fire by the flash of their guns. The fight lasted till 9 oclk at night, when the enemy withdrew leaving us in possession of the field. The ground selected by the foe was well chosen and particularly advantageous in a night fight. The enemy had been reinforced the day before by Genl Schenck with three or four thousand men, and they fought obstinately. At one time they approached through the bushes to within 20 yards of two of my companies, but were driven back, leaving their flag bearer and flag upon the field. This was an Ohio Rgt. (32nd). I had the wounded flag bearer taken up \u0026 sent back with my wounded, but I believe he died next day. The flag was so torn to pieces that my men took some of it and some other men some. Col. Campbell's Regt. got into the fight about dark and the remainder of his Brigade did not get in at all I believe. The Stonewall Brigade, being several miles off, did not get on the field till after the fight was over.","I lost forty men in killed and wounded. Some of the wounded have since died, and others are dangerous. Three have had their legs amputated. We stayed upon the field nearly all night gathering up and sending off the killed and wounded. The 12th Geo. Regt. suffered most terribly. They were in the advance and ordered to hold a very exposed position. They lost about 180 men killed and wounded. After their ammunition gave out, they lay down and held the place at the point of the bayonet. Many of my men got out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded, and in that way kept them shooting. We had no cannon in the fight. After the dead were collected on the field and laid in rows of then or fifteen, the dim moonlight gave to their countenances an unusual unearthly appearance. Our loss in officers is heavy, and I think that our whole loss is not less than 400. Genl. Johnson was wounded. Col. Gibbons of the 10th was killed. He was one of the best men I ever saw. Maj. Campbell (James C.) was wounded before he got on the field, but I think not dangerously.","I cannot tell what the enemy's loss was. They left some on the field, some in McDowell and scattered along at other places. Immediately after the fight the enemy burned all their baggage and stores at McDowell and retreated. At daylight they had all gone, and we started in pursuit. We followed three days march and came up with their rear at Franklin in Pendleton Co. We skirmished with them over a day, when we were ordered back, I do not know for what cause. It was reported that Genl. Fremont had brought on reinforcements and that a portion of Rosencranz force had joined Milroy. But I do not know that these reasons influenced Genl. Jackson. I do not know where we are going to, but think that we will not go to Staunton.","I received your letter enclosing copies of Abe's \u0026 Arthur's. I am very anxious to hear what Abe's fate has been. Write about him and Ike. Mr. Carrington is going to preach, and I do not feel like writing more. He was struck by a spent ball in the fight, but it only made him sick for awhile. Write soon and direct to Staunton. My love to Mother and Selina. I have heard nothing from J. Vance since I last wrote. \nYour brother Saml. V. Fulkerson","Head Quarters 3 Brigade, Valley District   \nCamp near Winchester, VA \n28 May 1862  ","Sir- \nIn making my report of the part acted by the 3rd Brigade in the battle near Winchester on the 25th inst., I have to say that on the morning of the 24th the Brigade left its bivouac four miles south of Front Royal at daylight and marched to Middletown, and thence down the main valley Pike in the direction of Winchester. Owing to delay occasioned by the enemy's skirmishers embarrassing the advance of the head of the column, daylight cam upon us near Kernstown, after which we quickly advanced to the mills south of Winchester, at which time a vigorous fire was going on between our own and the enemy's batteries.","I was ordered to file my Brigade to the left of the Pike and take position under shelter of a hill for the purpose of supporting one of our batteries. I was also ordered to report to Genl. Winder who was already upon the ground. I placed the 23rd \u0026 37th Va. Vols in the position indicated, when Genl Winder ordered me to occupy a wooded hill in an adjoining field, with one Regt, which position he informed me, the enemy were on the move to occupy. I at once ordered Col. Warren with the 10th Va Vols to take position on the hill which he quickly did. In a short time Genl. Winder ordered me to place another Regt. on the hill with the 10th, when I ordered Maj. Williams to march the 37th there which he did with dispatch. ","During all of the time of these movements, and in fact from the time when the Brigade first entered the field, it was exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's batteries and long range small arms. After these movements had been executed Col. Taliaferro was ordered to move the 23rd forward and charge a battery of the enemy in his front. He pushed forward with his Regt. in gallant style. But in the meantime Genl. Taylor's Louisiana Brigade had come upon the field, formed and moved in the direction of the enemy, coming up upon the left of Col. Taliaferro.  The 37th \u0026 10th followed immediately after Genl. Taylor's Brigade. On rushing the top of the ridge on which the enemy's batteries had been placed, a sharp musketry fire ensued, but soon a general charge was made by our whole line when the enemy gave way and fled precipitately through Winchester in the wildest confusion. We followed in immediate pursuit on the Martinsburg road, for four miles from Winchester, where we were halted. A list of the casualties is herewith furnished, from which it will be seen that the loss of the Brigade is, comparatively, very light.","Col. Taliaferro commanding the 23rd, Col Warren commanding the 10th and Maj. Williams commanding the 37th acted in the most gallant \u0026 efficient manner. I refer to the reports of Col. Taliaferro, Col. Warren, \u0026 Maj. Williams for the conduct of the officers \u0026 men of their respective Regts. I with pride bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the whole Brigade both officers and men.","I am indebted to Capt. Wm. B. Pendleton A.A.A. Genl. for his gallant conduct and prompt and cheerful manner with which he executed my orders. Capt Wooding's battery was not placed in position during the day. Respectfully \nSaml V. Fulkerson \nCol. Comd. Brigd.","Port Republic, Rockingham Co.  \n8 [June] 1862 ","Dear Kate \nThe place at which this letter is written is a pretty village near the foot of the Blue Ridge and about twelve miles from Harrisonburg, at the junction of the North and South Rivers, which form the Shenandoah.","I wrote you last from Winchester shortly after our arrival there, giving you an account of our march and proceedings up to that time. Since then we have undergone and almost incredible amount of hardship. We stayed at Winchester two days after taking the place and then proceeded to Charles Town and Harper's Ferry. We found a few of the enemy at Charles Town, but soon drove them down to the Ferry, where they made a stand having been largely re-enforced from Washington \u0026 elsewhere. The enemy were in position on Bolivar Heights on the Va. side and on the heights on the Maryland side of the river. Both of these positions had been fortified by Genl. Johnston last summer.","A portion of our forces crossed the Shenandoah river and took possession of Louden Heights. This was in the evening, a brisk cannonading going on, which was renewed the next morning, and continued till the enemy was driven from the Bolivar across the Potomac. About this time Genl. Jackson received information that Genl. Shields was crossing the Blue Ridge and Genl. Fremont was coming from Moorfield to form a junction at Strasburg and thus cut us off. This placed us in the hardest place that we have ever yet been. Genl. Jackson immediately ordered us to march back. We had about fifty miles to make to pass Strasburg, and our men were already terribly broken down by continued and hard marching. We marched to our camps near Winchester that night and next morning at day light started to Strasburg, which we reached before night. We had now marched about 70 miles in less than three days, in going to and returning from Harpers Ferry.","Gen. Shields was now at [Front] Port Royal, some 8 or 9 miles from Strasburg, and Genl. Fremont was 7 miles from Strasburg on the Moorefield road. So you see that we had only a gap of about 15 miles wide to get out at. During Saturday night I received an order from Genl. Jackson (I was still in command of our Brigade) to proceed next morning (Sunday) at daylight, some two or three miles on the Moorefield road, take position and resist the advance of the enemy. Before I could get a position, our scouts informed me that the enemy was advancing, when I hurried forward to a suitable position, and made disposition of my own and two other Brigades which were for the time under my command.","I sent forward a company of cavalry, which soon returned at the top of their speed with the enemy's cavalry close after them. We drove these back, but in a very short time the enemy's infantry came down the road and through the woods at double quick, and when they got within range halted and opened a brisk fire upon us, which was kept up for some time when they were driven back again. By this time Gen. Ewell came upon the field and assumed command of the whole. After the enemy's infantry were driven back, they placed two pieces of cannon in position and the two forces kept up a very pretty and brisk artillery duel for an hour or more, when the enemy withdrew from the field. After this Genl Jackson came out and said that he did not want to bring on a general engagement then, and ordered us to fall back towards Strasburg. I do not think that we had more than 10 or 15 men killed and wounded. My Regt. had none hurt.","[At this point, according to the sentence below, the date is now June 10th]\nA little after dark we left Strasburg for Woodstock to which place the waggon had been sent, and we had a terrible march. (This writing above was suddenly stopped about 8 oclk on Sunday morning last by the enemies cannon, and I will now try to finish on this the 10th). We got to Woodstock about daylight, all broken completely down and seemingly half dead. We were dogged all night by the enemy's cavalry, and I know that they picked up many of our broken down stragglers. I have between thirty and forty men missing, most I fear were taken. It is not to be wondered at. Many of the poor fellows actually walked much of that weary night, fast asleep, so worn out and exhausted were they with their terrible duty. I do not think that our Genl. exercised due diligence in getting his captured stores to a secure place. There was a vast amount of them, the greater portion of which he saved. But Genl. Shields made his appearance so suddenly at Front Royal that a portion of the stores captured there were retaken together with some of our wagons.","We marched from Woodstock to near Harrisonburg, and the next day to near Port Republic, which place we reached on Saturday evening. I thought the next day, being Sunday, that we would rest, and I began to write this letter, when I was stopped by the roar of cannon down at the town. The town is located in the fork of the two rivers, the north and larger branch being bridged, the other not. The enemy's cavalry had dashed into town, with two pieces of artillery, one of which they planted at the end of the bridge, and with a third they began a fire from the opposite side of the river. Genl Jackson was in town and was taken completely by surprise and came near being captured. ","We were camped about three quarters of a mile from town on the north side of the river. The enemy (Genl Shields force) had come up the river on the south side from Elk Run. In a very short time we were ordered to double quick to the bridge. My Regt. was just in the act of forming for inspection, and we got the start of the others. We passed through a wheat field with the enemy's gun from the other side of the river playing upon us. When we got to the top of the hill near the bridge the gun at the other end opened with grape upon us. My men returned the fire, when Genl. Jackson ordered me to charge through the bridge and take the gun. I led off and my men followed. We rushed through the bridge, captured the gun, and pursued the enemy through the town and until he crossed the south branch. I could have captured the other cannon in town, but I did not know of but one ford. We rushed to that, but found the enemy crossing higher up. We opened fire on them, killing some horses and two or three men and taking six or eight prisoners.","Charging in at one end of a bridge with a cannon yawning in at the other is no very pleasant past time. But my men went in so well, that it elicited the praise of the Genl. and all who witnessed it. When we got to the cannon, the smoke of the last fire was still issuing from its mouth. We charged them so quickly and so vigorously that my loss was little. Yancey Smith (brother of the Capt) of Russell was killed, and Sergt. E. Johnson and Walter James of Capt. Terry's company each had a thigh badly broken. I fear that Johnson is mortally wounded. We had put some of our artillery in position, which soon silenced the enemy's guns on the opposite side of the river, and drove them back, and they did not again advance on that day.","While this was going on, Genl. Fremont made an attack on our forces next to Harrisonburg. Our Brigade was ordered to hold the bridge and town against Genl. Shields, which we did, but could hear the fight on the other side, which lasted till nearly night with heavy loss on both sides. Our loss in officers was considerable. Genls Elzey \u0026 Stewart were wounded, though I think not dangerously. Our men drove the enemy back about a mile and held possession of the field during the night, having captured more than 100 prisoners.","On our march the day before from Harrisonburg, Fremont pressed our rear very hardly, and our protection subjected us to the heaviest and saddest loss that we have sustained in the valley. Ashby (but a short time a Brigadier) was killed. He had just made a brilliant charge on the enemy, capturing a Col, Maj., and a number of prisoners. Afterwards and about dark he was leading on foot (his horse having been killed), on Infantry Regt. when he was shot through the heart, and the saddest part of it is, that it is generally believed that he was shot by our own men. He was the most gallant man I ever saw, and withal a good man. When Ashby was between us and the enemy we felt perfectly secure against any surprise, and he was always on the enemy's heels. They had great fear of him. He kept them in constant dread. His place cannot be filled, and his death cast a gloom over the whole army. He had performed more feats of daring and had done more hard and perilous service than any man in the army.","As I have placed Sundays proceedings before Saturday, I will now pass over to Monday. During Sunday our train had been sent on the road towards Waynesboro in Augusta Co. But on Sunday night Genl. Jackson threw a foot bridge across the north branch, ordered his train to turn back and take the road through Brown's Gap into Albemarle, and by a little after sun rise he had the greater portion of his army across the foot bridge and marching against Genl. Shields force, which camped the night before in sight of us about three miles off. Our Brigade and Genl. Trimble's were ordered to hold the large bridge and to resist the advance of Fremont. Our force and Shield's soon became hotly engaged, and the fight became a very hard one. Our men were being severely pressed and suffering a great loss, when Genl Jackson galloped back and ordered me to move forward my Regt at double quick, which I did. He also had the other two Regt of the Brigade ordered forward. ","When I got upon the field, and was putting my men in position for action, the enemy gave way and we rushed forward, passing his battery which he abandoned, having first killed all the horses. In coming up we received a sharp fire. The enemy rallied and partially formed, but we kept on and they gave way again, and commenced a general run, and scatterment. My Regt happened to get in advance, and hounds never pursued a fox with more eagerness than they pursued the flying yankees. Some kept the road and some took the bushes, all intent on capturing a yankee. We captured about 400 prisoners most of whom were taken by my men, among them a number of officers from Col down. We also captured two Regimental flags, all of the enemies artillery (seven or eight guns), all of his ambulances \u0026 c., and a number of small arms.","The Infantry followed about six miles, and the cavalry having come up followed about six further. My men performed many individual acts of bravery one of which I notice, and you may send it to the Abingdon paper for publication. The rout was complete and entire. The prisoners say that Genl. Shields was not present, but that Genl Tyler was in command. We captured a number of our old acquaintances, the 5th Ohio, and our boys were glad to meet with them. After our Brigade crossed the north branch, Genl. Trimble crossed the large bridge and then set fire to it \u0026 burned it down. In a short time Genl. Fremont appeared at the burnt bridge, but could do nothing but listen to the fight and pursuit. On our return from the pursuit we quietly passed within plain view of Genl Fremont's camp, and marched to this place on the Blue Ridge, where we are staying today.","Our camp extends back to within four or five miles of Port Republic. Men were worse mangled in this fight than any that I have been in. Heads \u0026 limbs off and bodies torn open were frequent sights for several miles. ","On Sunday night Capt. Jno. Preston \u0026 Lieut. Jno Humes with fifty men were sent out on picket and were left out when we went into the fight on Monday. After Fremont made his appearance I sent back my Regt to bring in the picket, but he thought that he could not get to them, and come back about midnight last night. I have heard nothing from them since, but think and hope that they have gone to Staunton or Waynesboro, about 18 miles off. I am not in the habit of gathering spoils on the field, but one of me brought me a Col's horse, saddle, bridle \u0026 c. Another gave me a very pretty sword. The horse belonged to Col. Lewis of Pa. He has been a fine horse, but is getting old and is not a good riding horse. I also got the Col's Regimental flag.","You will see from this narrative that we have had a very active and exciting time. We have fought on three Sundays in succession, which will do pretty well for a religious Genl. I got Selina's letter the other day \u0026 will write her when I can. Write soon to Staunton. Don't know when we will go next. Love to Mother \u0026 Selina. \nYour brother \nS.V. Fulkerson ","Mr. F.M. Fulkerson ","Sir- \nIn reply to your letter of the 7th ult. permit me to say that Col. S.V. Fulkerson was an officer of distinguished worth. I deeply felt his death. He rendered valuable service to his country, and had he lived, would probably have been recommended by me before this time for a brigadier generalcy. So far as my knowledge extends, he enjoyed the confidence of his regiment and all who knew him.","I am Sir your obdt. servt  \nT.J. Jackson","V.M. Institute June 4th 1853","Dear Sister, \nI recd your letter the 28th of May. I was very glad to hear that were so well pleased with your school. I suppose that you will come home before you teach another session if you do so at all, Father wrote to me the other day for the first time, they are all well at home Father has sold his mare and bought a buggy, I suppose that he will quit riding horse back and splurge in his buggy for a while, your old Mister Brown was kicked by a horse the other day and broke his leg, his family had bad luck lately.","We will have a great ball on the if nothing happens they are prepareing tolerably rapidly now, the tickets came yesterday. I sent you one of them, I know you will be certain to come or else I would not send it to you","The examination will commence the 20th of June, Sam is on the Board again they meet about the 15th, I have some faint hopes of passing, but it is verry doubtful  I tell you, you must write to me oftener","Your affectionate Brother \nAbram Fulkerson","Virginia Military Institute \nApr 14 1854","Dear Mother \nI recd your letter a few days ago or weeks I am not certain which but however I have not had time to answer it until to day.","I have nothing very new or of much importance to write to you. Circuit court is going on at present in Lexington They are trying Christian the man that killed Cadet Blackburn  there has been a great deal of excitement with the people since it commenced  there is a great many of C. friends attending the trial. I suppose from all accounts that he will be hung","There was another murder committed in town a few weeks ago almost as bad as B's, a man by the name of Winn killed the proprietor of the Washington Hotel, his name was Moore they had a falling out the day he was killed some five or six hours before the fight occurred.  Winn went to his (Moore's) house that night about ten o'clock and called him out into the street + stabbed him through the heart with a knife the knife cut his heart very near into two pieces. He died in a few minutes afterwards. There is two other men in jail for shooting men besides all of this there was a negro hung in Lexington a few weeks ago for the same offence, but it did not appear to have much affect. It seems like Lexington is going to turn out to be one of the most corrupt and immoral places in the State of Virginia.","Virginia wrote to me a few days ago. Sister Alice and the children are all well.  Virginia say she likes her new home very well considering the short time that she has been there.  She did not say whether she was going to school any more at Rogersville or not.","I wrote to Sam sometime ago to know whether I had better go home this summer or put it off until next. He says he thinks I had better stay another year before I go home and indeed I thought so myself  was the reason I wrote to him about it. Therefore I will not have the opportunity of coming home til next July year. I would be very glad if I could come next year but taking every thing into consideration I think it will be best to stay here another year.","I heard from Catherine lately. She is getting along about as common I believe I understand that Frank is going to marry before long. But I do not know whether it is true or not. Dr. Walker's son was here the other day on his way home from Philadelphia. He has been taking medical lessons there, I had a long talk with him.  e stayed in town one day and night. I must bring my letter to a close as I have nothing more to write, tell Balf and Jim to write to me.","Your affectionate Son, \nA. Fulkerson","Cumberland Gap \nMay 18, 1863\n \nMy dear wife- \nYour last kind letter was recd by friday's mail. Your dear letters are my greatest pleasure and do away in a great measure with the horror of separation. The frequency with which we can communicate with each other is a rich blessing and brings us as if we're almost together.","One of our pickets came in the other day and reported that a Mr. Davis was at the lines and desired to enter. This report took me very much by surprise, for although you had mentioned the probability of his coming yet I did not look for him. He only stayed a few hours. After dinner (a very poor one without apology to him) I went [around] to show him some of the curiosities of Cumberland Gap, which he seemed to think would compensate any one for making the visit. He went back up the valley and expected to get home by Wednesday next. Will see you Sunday, if not sooner.","The intelligence of the death of Gen. Jackson came upon us like a shock. We feel that his death is a national calamity. The poorest soldiers among us appreciated his worth - loved the man, and mourn his loss. I knew him well.1  He was my preceptor for more than four years and whilst during that time I did not appreciate the man, as school [schoolboys?]are not like to do, yet I always had great reverence for the man on account of his piety \u0026 uprightness of character. Among the many heroes of this revolution, none have lived so much adored, none have died so much deplored, and none have left a character as spotless as that of Stonewall Jackson. Could his life have been spared till the close of this cruel war, the unanimous voice of a grateful people would have proclaimed him chief ruler of the nation. But God has seen proper to take him from us, and what He does is right and for the best. It is [illegible] therefore that we make the sacrifice cheerfully, th'o we cannot see why our country should be deprived of his services at his her hour of greatest need.","I have no news of importance more than you will see in the papers. The news from Ky is vague and unreliable. It is reported and believed that there are three or four Regmts at Barboursville, 30 miles distant. That Burnsides is preparing to invade E. Tenn. on a large scale there seems no longer to be any doubt. A southern woman the wife of a Lincolnite told Mrs. Patterson today that a runner had just come across the mountain to tell the Union people, they must stay at home, that the Feds would be in, in about three weeks, that where they were found absent it would be an evidence of disloyalty. I will not be surprised if they make an effort about that time.","Mr. Patterson started to the R.R. today - is going to the salt works. I asked him to stop and see you all, but he would not promise. No prospect of any goods yet. Do you want any money? When you need money or any thing else you must not fail to let me know. My love to mother \u0026 Kate. Write often,\nYour affectionate husband \nAF","Field Officers Barracks, Ft. Delaware May 7 1865 ","My dear wife","I have not heard directly from you since the 4th of Feb. Your letter was directed to Ft. Pulaski. I received on my way here at Hilton Head S.C. Since that time we have passed through the most eventful period of the war. The closing scenes are being enacted, and with hearts overwhelmed with grief \u0026 sadness we bow in deep humiliation in their contemplation. The present, thank God, is only the \"beginning of the end.\" The military power of the South is broken, the spirit is not. The ball has been put in motion by the people of the South, an impetus has been given it, which will eventually result in the destruction of the U.S. Government and if not in the independence of the South, certainly in the disenthrallment of her people. Ten years will see us under the protecting wing of a foreign power, or independent.","I expect to meet you soon, not crowned with the laurels of victory but with the oath crammed down my throat, a quiescent citizen of the United States. I have the sweet consolation of being conscious of having served the cause faithfully. I sacrificed everything but life, and hazarded that, many times \u0026 in many ways, in behalf of my country. I have not the slightest fear that any man can ever point at me the finger of scorn and say \"you done it.\" I have performed my duty and now abandon the cause as (at present) hopeless, without in the least having changed my opinion as to the justness of that cause. I go now to share with the people of the south the deep humiliation which will be dictated by yankee vindictiveness.","I have heard from you thr'o your father up to March 1st. Receive letters from him often. Says he will send you money \u0026 c thr'o Mr. Armstrong. Hope you may have no difficulty in getting along. I cannot tell when I will be released, but probably soon. My love to Kate. Tell the boy, I'll be home soon. Your affect. husband. A. Fulkerson P.W.","Officers Barracks  \nFt. Delaware  \nMay 13, 1865 ","My dear wife- \nYour esteemed letter of the 17th April, via Knoxville reached me a few days since. I cannot express my gratification at learning that you were all well, and living. The terrible events which have transpired in the Confederacy within the past two months, and my great anxiety about you, taken together, had rendered me very unhappy, indeed wretched.","The last letter but one from you was dated 4th Feb and recd at Hilton Head S.C. the day after our departure from Ft. Pulaski. I have written you several times since my arrival here, via Richmond. About a week ago I sent you a letter to the care of Mr. Armstrong, but as I was in a very unhappy humor about them \"Cause\" it is probable that much that I said was too harsh and \"contraband\" and caused the\"confiscation\" of the letter. ","We left Ft. Pulaski on the 4th March, ordered by Genrl. Grant to be exchanged. When we reached Old Point active operations had commenced on the James, were sent here. The result of the campaign was disastrous to our aims. It has ended our hopes for exchange, if not for liberty itself. I cannot talk about our misfortunes in a letter, but must wait till I see you. It seems at present, that the only means of getting out of prison, is by taking the oath. It is probable therefore I will return to you soon, not crowned with victorious laurels, but as a loyal subject (overpowered) of the U.S. I do not know whether you would recognize me as a citizen or not, perhaps you may, if necessity forces it upon me.","I hear from your father often. He wrote me he was making arrangements to send you money \u0026 clothing th'ro Mr. Armstrong. I hope it will not be inconvenient for Kate to keep you with her til I am released. My health is now very good. Your affectionate husband. A. Fulkerson.  \nLove to Mrs. H and the boy (as you may not receive this for months, I will say our boy)","The collection consists of related to three members of the Fulkerson family: Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862), his brother Abram Fulkerson, Jr.          (1834-1902), and Abram's son, Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926). Significant items include:\n Civil War correspondence (dated March-May 1862) written by Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862) Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) reports of the Battle of McDowell and the Battle of Winchester (dated May and June 1862) Wartime correspondence (dated 1863 and 1865) written by Abram Fulkerson, Jr. Two letters were written while he was a prisoner of war. A letter of appreciation (dated September 1862) written by General Stonewall Jackson following Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) death in battle \nIn addition to the battles mentioned above, topics include:\n Battles of Port Republic and Kernstown Death of Turner Ashby Refugee and civilian life Camp life References to Stonewall Jackson, including Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862 assessment of his character and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s reflections following the Jackson's death \nAlso included are biographical and genealogical material, business and financial papers of Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), and family correspondence.","Written from Estillville, Scott County, Virginia. Topics include family news and talks of Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s first days at VMI and encourages him to study, stating \"you now have a chance of getting a better education and of\ndoing more for yourself than any of your brothers have ever had an opportunity of getting or doing for themselves, and if you do not turn you chance to good advantage it will be your own fault.\"","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Topics include Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s progress at VMI and family news.","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI examinations and grades. Samuel V. Fulkerson warns Abram Fulkerson, Jr. about the excessive number of demerits and cautions about leaving school, stating \"I do not like to hear you expressing a desire to resign. You know that a great part of your expense is paid by the state, and that you have undertaken to teach two years in the state as a sort of recompense. You will not forget this obligation.\"","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI finances and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s \"unkind conduct.\"","Letter regards a recent trip and family news.","Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news and concerns for family.","Written from camp near New Market, Virginia. Letter regards the Battle of Kernstown, Virginia.","Report after the Battle of McDowell, Virginia. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment.","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and a recent battle.","Report written to Major R. L. Dabney. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment in the Battle of Winchester, Virginia.","Typescript copy. The letter discusses the character of General Stonewall Jackson and the events at the Battle of Port Republic, Virginia.","In the letter, Stonewall Jackson extends condolences after the death of Samuel V. Fulkerson.","Appointment to the VMI Board of Visitors (1853) and to judgeship (1857).","This series includes letters two letters and one letter fragment written while Abram Fulkerson, Jr. was a cadet at VMI and three letters written during his Civil War service.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news, the military ball, and exams. The letter includes an invitation to the military ball.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the trial of Charles Christian for the murder of Cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Cumberland Gap. Letter regards the death of General Stonewall Jackson.","Written from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and defeat of the South.","Written from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and being exchanged.","This series contains financial and business papers, and genealogical information.","This series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n Letter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835) Letter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847) Letter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) ","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862","Williams, Titus V. (Titus Vespasian), 1835-1908","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0363","/repositories/3/resources/596"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"collection_ssim":["Fulkerson Family papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns"],"geogname_ssim":["Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns"],"creator_ssm":["Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"creator_ssim":["Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"creators_ssim":["Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"places_ssim":["Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 37th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 31st","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 10th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 23rd","Confederate States of America. Army—Tennessee Infantry Regiment, 63rd","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1857","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1884","Virginia Military Institute—Board of Visitors","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862","Port Republic, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Kernstown, Battle of, 1862","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Prisoners and prisons","Winchester (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Winchester, 1st Battle of (Virginia : May 25, 1862)","McDowell, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 37th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 31st","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 10th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 23rd","Confederate States of America. Army—Tennessee Infantry Regiment, 63rd","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1857","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1884","Virginia Military Institute—Board of Visitors","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862","Port Republic, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Kernstown, Battle of, 1862","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Prisoners and prisons","Winchester (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Winchester, 1st Battle of (Virginia : May 25, 1862)","McDowell, Battle of (Virginia : 1862)","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.50 cubic feet approximately 50 items"],"extent_tesim":["0.50 cubic feet approximately 50 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMany items from this collection, including the Civil War material, are \u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll11/field/descri/searchterm/MS%200363/mode/exact\"\u003e available in full-text format\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["Many items from this collection, including the Civil War material, are   available in full-text format"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSamuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862) was born in Washington County, Virginia to Colonel Abram Fulkerson, Sr. and Margaret Laughlin Vance on October 21, 1822. As a young man he undertook the study of law, and in late 1846 he obtained his license and opened a practice in southwestern Virginia. He served in the United States Army during the Mexican War (1847-1848), and subsequently returned to  practice of law in Estillville and Abingdon, Virginia. In 1857 he was elected judge of the thirteenth judicial district and held this position until the beginning of the Civil War. He was a member of the VMI Board of Visitors from 1852 to 1854 and from 1857 to 1858. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was killed in the Battle of Gaines's Mill, Virginia on June 26, 1862.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAbram Fulkerson, Jr. (1834-1902) was born on May 13, 1834 in Washington County, Virginia and was the younger brother of Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862). He graduated from VMI in 1857, and after a brief career as a teacher, went on to study law. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 63rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment and was a prisoner of war (one of the \"Immortal 600\"). After the War he continued the practice law and was active in politics, serving in the Virginia legislature and in the United States          Congress. He 1862 he married Selina Johnson, of Clarksville,  Tennessee, and the couple had nine children, including Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), VMI Class of 1884. Abram Fulkersonm, Jr. died on December 17, 1902 in Bristol, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSamuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926) was born on October 22, 1863 in Abingdon, Virginia to Abram Fulkerson, Jr. and Selina Johnson. He graduated from VMI in 1884 and subsequently studied law at the University of Virginia. He was a lawyer (partner in the firm of Fulkerson and Davis in Bristol, Virginia) and served two terms as City Attorney. During the Spanish-American War (1898- 1899) he was a member of the Fourth Tennessee Regiment, United States Volunteers. In 1904 he married Lura Bradley of Sherman, Texas, and the couple had twin sons in April 1906. He died on July 2, 1926 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is buried at East Hill Cemetery, Bristol.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862) was born in Washington County, Virginia to Colonel Abram Fulkerson, Sr. and Margaret Laughlin Vance on October 21, 1822. As a young man he undertook the study of law, and in late 1846 he obtained his license and opened a practice in southwestern Virginia. He served in the United States Army during the Mexican War (1847-1848), and subsequently returned to  practice of law in Estillville and Abingdon, Virginia. In 1857 he was elected judge of the thirteenth judicial district and held this position until the beginning of the Civil War. He was a member of the VMI Board of Visitors from 1852 to 1854 and from 1857 to 1858. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was killed in the Battle of Gaines's Mill, Virginia on June 26, 1862.","Abram Fulkerson, Jr. (1834-1902) was born on May 13, 1834 in Washington County, Virginia and was the younger brother of Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862). He graduated from VMI in 1857, and after a brief career as a teacher, went on to study law. During the Civil War he served as Colonel of the 63rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment and was a prisoner of war (one of the \"Immortal 600\"). After the War he continued the practice law and was active in politics, serving in the Virginia legislature and in the United States          Congress. He 1862 he married Selina Johnson, of Clarksville,  Tennessee, and the couple had nine children, including Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), VMI Class of 1884. Abram Fulkersonm, Jr. died on December 17, 1902 in Bristol, Virginia.","Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926) was born on October 22, 1863 in Abingdon, Virginia to Abram Fulkerson, Jr. and Selina Johnson. He graduated from VMI in 1884 and subsequently studied law at the University of Virginia. He was a lawyer (partner in the firm of Fulkerson and Davis in Bristol, Virginia) and served two terms as City Attorney. During the Spanish-American War (1898- 1899) he was a member of the Fourth Tennessee Regiment, United States Volunteers. In 1904 he married Lura Bradley of Sherman, Texas, and the couple had twin sons in April 1906. He died on July 2, 1926 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is buried at East Hill Cemetery, Bristol."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWinchester\u003cbr\u003e\n9 March 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nNot having written or heard from home for sometime, I will write you a short letter today. You will see from the heading of this that we have not yet gone to Manassas and I cannot tell when we will go. We will not get away, unless Winchester is evacuated, while the present state of things exists here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGenl. Banks with his army has been maneuvering about twelve miles in our front for several days. On day before yesterday we thought that we were certainly in for a fight. Banks attacked our outer posts, when we packed our baggage and sent it to the rear, and marched the men on the Martinsburg road about two miles from Winchester, where we drew up and waited for the approach of the enemy. But after skirmishing with our pickets an hour or two, he withdrew again. We lost only one man, but not of my Regt.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have not a large force here, and I do not know what Genl. Jackson will do if the enemy advances upon us. All of the public stores have been sent away, and many of the citizens have left. There are a good many here who sympathize with the Yankees, and will be rejoiced if they get possession of Winchester. This is such a beautiful country that I should regret to see it fall into the hands of the Yankees.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSince we came back from Romney we have had three different encampments. First on the Romney Road, but when the enemy crossed at Harper's Ferry we moved and took position on that road about three miles from Winchester; and on yesterday we moved to this place, which is on the Strasburg road about three and a half miles from Winchester near a village called Kernstown.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is doubtful about how much I will write as I have been over six hours in getting this much written. In a letter from Col. Gibson he asked what I wished you and Kate to do in case the enemy got into our county. If they should get in, and you are willing to do so, I think that you had better remain at home. Refugees have a hard time, and when people leave their homes everything is destroyed. Mr. Faulkner (Honl. Charles J.) told me that his wife had saved his property by staying at home. But if it should come to the worst, and you prefer it, leave and let the property go. I care little for the property except on yours and Kate's account. For myself I feel that I have no home so long as it is threatened by the enemy, and I would willingly give up all I have, and commence the world anew without a thing, rather than that the enemy should subjugate us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are very hardly pressed now, and it depends upon the spirit of our people whether we bear up against it, or give way under it. When I see so many men and especially officers shirking duty and who seem to make it a study as to the best manner in which they can get around duty, I almost despair. Many are all the time seeking personal ease or pursuing schemes of personal advancement, and would appear to be willing to sacrifice their country to attain their object. I suppose though that all wars produce the same class of selfish men, and that we must expect to be cursed with them. I do not intend to be troubled hereafter with the reflection that I did not do my duty in this conflict.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI did have some hope that I could go home for a short time this winter, but do not now expect to do so. If I had the permission I would not go now, while we are so near the enemy. Besides, so many of the officers are absent that it would be highly improper for any more to leave. In the absence of Col. Taliaferro I still have command of the 4th Brigade, which now only consists of two regiments and four pieces of artillery.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI learn that we have had very high waters in our country and that much damage has been done. I was sorry to hear that Uncle James had lost his dam. I take it that he will not get his mills to running again for some time. If any of the fence about the creek washed away, get Mr. Hughes or some one to help Lee put it up. Today (Sunday) has been a very spring-like one. Citizens say that this has been a very wet winter here and not as much cold as usual, but still the ground has not been clear of snow since the first of Jany. Scarcely any ploughing has been done here yet, and little else in the farming line. See if you can't get meal and flour from Mrs. Hopkins' mill; If not try at some other place. Henry Roberts might furnish you with meal.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI suffered for two or three weeks with a severe cold, but kept up and am now nearly well again. Jas. Vance is well. He spent this Sunday in building a chimney to his tent. He has said several times that he would not fix up any more. He has built a good many chimneys, but had soon to leave them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to Kate and Selina. Tell Selina that she ought to write to me. You and Kate must write soon, and tell me where Ike and Abe are. Tell Amelia Vance that I will write to her when I can. I have nothing to write about but army movements, but they will have as much interest to you as anything else.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour son,\u003cbr\u003e\nSaml. V. Fulkerson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp Near New Market\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Apl. 1862 \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Kate\u003cbr\u003e\nA few days ago I wrote you giving some account of our fight near Winchester. Since that time we have been marching up and down the valley, one day falling back before the enemy and the next advancing towards him, skirmishing with him almost daily. He is now in strong force about ten miles off. Genl. Jackson has taken a position here, but whether he will fight at this place or not I am unable to say. If he has sufficient force he would not wait to be attacked.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been unable to hear from Jas. Vance, though I have [missing word or words] letter to Judge Parker of Winchester about him. I cannot think that he was mortally wounded, from what the men say who put him in the ambulance. I feel very much for Uncle James and family in their repeated bereavements. I miss Jimmy greatly, and would be greatly pleased to hear that his wound is not dangerous. I have seen a list of the prisoners who were taken to Baltimore but Jimmie's name is not among them. However, I am not surprised at this, as the wounded would not for awhile be removed from Winchester. I may yet get some information from Winchester about him. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCapt. Cowan (of Russell) died of his wounds. He was a brave man and good officer. James King was as good a soldier as ever entered the line. He went off with Capt. Jones Co., was transferred to Col. Cummings Regt. and then transferred to mine. After the fight was half over, he remarked that \"he was proud of being in the 37th.\" The poor fellow was shot through the head and did not speak afterwards. Leroy Sherman among others was taken prisoner and is in Baltimore. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe [people along the valley] claim our fight as a victory, but it is not so. We attacked a greatly superior forces and were repulsed with heavy loss. If night had not set in we would all have been captured or killed. The enemy's loss was very heavy, for our men fought with desperate courage. our loss is 469 killed and wounded. The killed wounded and missing amount to 689. This is an uncommonly heavy loss when we did not have over 3000 men in the fight. A loss of 10 per ct. is regarded as great, but ours was but little less than on fourth. My Regt. sustained the greatest loss, the killed and wounded alone being a little less than one fourth, and including the missing is a little less than one third. The northern papers speak of the terrible slaughter on their side in front of the stone fence behind which I had my Brigade. I learn that at this point the 5th Ohio Regt. was nearly [ruined]--they were a part of the rascals who aided in chasing us from Laurel Hill.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe conduct of the late North western army (Loring's) [missing words] the fight, is spoken of by the Genl. in high terms of praise. There is a difficulty with Genl. Garnett who commanded the Stonewall Brigade, but I can't speak of particulars. Genl. Winder is now in command of that Brigade.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur men are in fine spirits and I think will fight as well now as they did at Winchester, although they feel sad, when they think of the fall of their comrades. Our flagstaff was shot down, but the flag bearer instantly raised it again and kept it floating throughout the fight. The days work hurt my horse worse than anything which he has gone through. He was under the saddle from daylight till 11 at night and was greatly excited. The reports of the guns did not scare him, but the whistling of the balls and particularly the minnie ball excited him to the highest pitch. He has not yet recovered. You will see many exaggerated accounts of the fight in the papers. If we can't get a better and more substantial reputation than a mere newspaper one, I don't want [missing words].\nI told Judge Parker [missing words] stay with you at nights during court. He is a refugee and I want to do all for him that I can. Tell Selina that here she can't write to Abe, she can write to me. Try and get the fence put up in some way. Send the enclosed to Mr. Belkin for Judge Camden. Write soon. Love to Mother \u0026amp; S.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour brother, Saml. V. Fulkerson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOfficial Report of the Battle of McDowell, May 8th, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHead Qrs. 37 Regt. VA. Vols. Mason's Cabins, Augusta Co., Va.\u003cbr\u003e  \n16 May 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSir-\u003cbr\u003e\nIn making my official report of the part borne by my Regt in the battle near McDowell on the 8th inst., I have to say; that when I was ordered to the field, being about one mile distant, I had to pass on a portion of the way, up a very rocky \u0026amp; brushy hollow, which embarrassed the advance of my men greatly, and it being nothing but a defile, and the men having to advance in a single file, the Regt. necessarily stretched out over a long line. They were also much annoyed on the march after entering the field, by the shell from one of the enemies guns. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen I reached the line of battle at the head of my Regt. (marching by flank) Brig. Genl. Taliaferro informed me that the enemy were endeavoring to turn our right flank by passing over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va Vols were there to prevent the flank movement \u0026amp; he ordered me to support the 31st. I at once filed into the woods, but not knowing the position of either the 31st or of the enemy, for they were not at that time firing, I got in between the two, but nearer the enemy. On halting to put my men in line, I found that I had with me only my two front companies, Co. A Capt. Terry \u0026amp; Co. F. Capt. Graham. In pushing forward up the ravine two companies got ahead of the others, and when the remainder got to the line of battle, I with the two first were in the woods. As soon as I formed the two companies I ordered them to give a shout which they did with a hearty good will, and we charged down the hill directly at the enemy, and when we got within forty or fifty yards of him he broke and fled, when we instantly opened fire upon them as they ran. He did not stop running till he got entirely out of the woods around the hill.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen the remainder of the Regt. reached the line of battle in the field they joined in the fight there, but after awhile Maj. Williams brought a portion of it to me in the woods, not knowing that I might be hard pressed there. But before he reached me the woods were clear of the enemy, and I marched all back to the main fight in the field.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen I got on our line it was nearly dark and we could only see the outline of the enemy on the hill side below us, \u0026amp; that soon disappeared, when we could only direct our fire by the flash of the enemy's guns. The fight was kept up till 9 at night when the enemy withdrew, leaving us in full possession of the field. During the fight some of my men were out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have to report the loss of some good officers and brave men. Capt. Terry, a gallant man and model officer, was severely wounded in the leg. Lieuts. Wilhelm, May, Dye, and Fletcher were badly wounded, and the two latter have since died. These Lieuts were young officers, but they nobly did their duty. All of my officers and men who went upon the field acted in the most gallant manner, and it would be unjust to discriminate by name, except in the case of the wounded.* The loss of my Regt. is thirty nine killed and wounded and one missing, a list of whom I herewith enclose.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI feel indebted to Surgeon Hinkle and Asst. Surgeon Butler for their prompt and untiring attention to the wounded. My Acting Adjt. C.T. Duncan also deserves special mention for the manner in which he discharged his duties upon the field.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI cannot close this report without saying that my chaplain the Revd. A.B. Carrington deserves the highest praise for his conduct during and since the fight. He was struck by a spent ball, and although it made him very sick for awhile, he was and continued to be unremitting in his attention to the wounded.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRespectfully\u003cbr\u003e\nSaml. V. Fulkerson Col. 37 Va. Vols\u003cbr\u003e\nCapt Wm. B. Pendleton  AAAGenl. 3d Brigade. V.D.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e*I am especially indebted to Maj. T.V. Williams for gallantry and good conduct throughout the fight. He was of great benefit in placing the men in their proper positions.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp at Mason's Cabins. Augusta Co.  16 May 1862 \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Kate\u003cbr\u003e\nIt has been a good while since I wrote and the reason is that I have not had an opportunity of writing, and I feel little like it now. We have been constantly marching, fighting and watching for more than a month, and the consequence is that we are all nearly broken down, with fatigue, loss of sleep and irregularity in eating. But his being the day set apart by the President for humiliation and prayer, Genl. Jackson has ordered his army to observe it, and to abstain from all military duty, and that divine service be had in all of the Regts. But as it is now and has been raining for two days, there will be little chance for preaching out of doors.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI believe that I wrote you from Meecham's River Depot in Albemarle Co. A portion of the Regt. took the cars there for Staunton and the remainder marched on to the side of the Blue Ridge where they went on to the cars and got to Staunton about day, not having eaten anything or slept any since the night before. We stayed at Staunton that {night} and left the next day in this direction. We joined Genl. Johnson's (Alleghany) forces about six miles from Staunton. The enemy had one Regt at the east foot of the Shenandoah mountains near this place. This we came near surprising and taking with four pieces of their cannon. But they escaped, leaving all of their baggage and camp equipage and commissary stores in our hands. They fled cross the mountain to the western foot where they had two other Regts, which became alarmed \u0026amp; fled leaving everything, and all fell back to McDowell where their main body (Genl. Milroy in command) was stationed.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe then went into camp and on the morning of the 8th we moved towards McDowell. This is a village in Highland county about thirty miles from Staunton and ten from Monterey. Genl Johnson with his brigade was sent forward as the advance and our Brigade (10th, 23rd, and 37th Va. Vols) followed. When within about a mile of McDowell light skirmishing began, which was kept up till evening, we in the mean time having been halted about a mile in the rear. In the evening our advance Brigade and the enemy became engaged in a general fight and we were ordered forward at a double quick. A portion of the way over which we had to go was up a very rocky and brushy hollow, and when we reached our line of battle we were nearly out of breath. All along the way we were exposed to the enemy's file by their shooting at our advance and the balls striking among and around us. The whistling of the bullets excited my horse so much that he became unmanageable and I had to send him to the rear before I got upon the field. When I got on the field I asked the Genl. where my Regt. should be placed, when he said that the enemy were trying to turn our right flank over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va. was there for the purpose of holding them back and that I must support the 31st. I at once double quicked into the woods. When I got there I found that I had but two companies (Capt. Terry's \u0026amp; Capt. Graham's) in consequence of my having hurried the front up the hollow so fast that they left the remainder behind and out of sight. One of the enemy's cannon was also brought to bear upon the Regt. which also embarrassed the rear. I did not know the position either of the 31st or the enemy in the woods, as they were not firing. The consequence was that I entered the woods between the two, but nearer the enemy. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI at once formed my two companies, gave them the order to raise a shout, which they did very lustily, and we charged down the hill right at the foe. They stood till we got within forty or fifty yards of them when they broke and fled and we opened fire upon them as they ran. We ran them entirely out of the woods. Our movement was so sudden and unexpected that the enemy seemed to be surprised and much frightened. It seemed like a bold move, but I think it was the best for my men, as I only lost two men wounded (one of them mortally) at this point. The remainder of the Regt. not knowing where I was went into the main fight when they came upon the field, but after a while a portion of them we ordered to join me in the woods which they did, but there being no enemy in the woods at this time I took them all back and entered the fight in the field.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt was nearly dark and we could only see the outlines of the enemy, which was soon lost \u0026amp; we had to fire by the flash of their guns. The fight lasted till 9 oclk at night, when the enemy withdrew leaving us in possession of the field. The ground selected by the foe was well chosen and particularly advantageous in a night fight. The enemy had been reinforced the day before by Genl Schenck with three or four thousand men, and they fought obstinately. At one time they approached through the bushes to within 20 yards of two of my companies, but were driven back, leaving their flag bearer and flag upon the field. This was an Ohio Rgt. (32nd). I had the wounded flag bearer taken up \u0026amp; sent back with my wounded, but I believe he died next day. The flag was so torn to pieces that my men took some of it and some other men some. Col. Campbell's Regt. got into the fight about dark and the remainder of his Brigade did not get in at all I believe. The Stonewall Brigade, being several miles off, did not get on the field till after the fight was over.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI lost forty men in killed and wounded. Some of the wounded have since died, and others are dangerous. Three have had their legs amputated. We stayed upon the field nearly all night gathering up and sending off the killed and wounded. The 12th Geo. Regt. suffered most terribly. They were in the advance and ordered to hold a very exposed position. They lost about 180 men killed and wounded. After their ammunition gave out, they lay down and held the place at the point of the bayonet. Many of my men got out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded, and in that way kept them shooting. We had no cannon in the fight. After the dead were collected on the field and laid in rows of then or fifteen, the dim moonlight gave to their countenances an unusual unearthly appearance. Our loss in officers is heavy, and I think that our whole loss is not less than 400. Genl. Johnson was wounded. Col. Gibbons of the 10th was killed. He was one of the best men I ever saw. Maj. Campbell (James C.) was wounded before he got on the field, but I think not dangerously.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI cannot tell what the enemy's loss was. They left some on the field, some in McDowell and scattered along at other places. Immediately after the fight the enemy burned all their baggage and stores at McDowell and retreated. At daylight they had all gone, and we started in pursuit. We followed three days march and came up with their rear at Franklin in Pendleton Co. We skirmished with them over a day, when we were ordered back, I do not know for what cause. It was reported that Genl. Fremont had brought on reinforcements and that a portion of Rosencranz force had joined Milroy. But I do not know that these reasons influenced Genl. Jackson. I do not know where we are going to, but think that we will not go to Staunton.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI received your letter enclosing copies of Abe's \u0026amp; Arthur's. I am very anxious to hear what Abe's fate has been. Write about him and Ike. Mr. Carrington is going to preach, and I do not feel like writing more. He was struck by a spent ball in the fight, but it only made him sick for awhile. Write soon and direct to Staunton. My love to Mother and Selina. I have heard nothing from J. Vance since I last wrote.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour brother Saml. V. Fulkerson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHead Quarters 3 Brigade, Valley District\u003cbr\u003e  \nCamp near Winchester, VA\u003cbr\u003e\n28 May 1862  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSir-\u003cbr\u003e\nIn making my report of the part acted by the 3rd Brigade in the battle near Winchester on the 25th inst., I have to say that on the morning of the 24th the Brigade left its bivouac four miles south of Front Royal at daylight and marched to Middletown, and thence down the main valley Pike in the direction of Winchester. Owing to delay occasioned by the enemy's skirmishers embarrassing the advance of the head of the column, daylight cam upon us near Kernstown, after which we quickly advanced to the mills south of Winchester, at which time a vigorous fire was going on between our own and the enemy's batteries.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI was ordered to file my Brigade to the left of the Pike and take position under shelter of a hill for the purpose of supporting one of our batteries. I was also ordered to report to Genl. Winder who was already upon the ground. I placed the 23rd \u0026amp; 37th Va. Vols in the position indicated, when Genl Winder ordered me to occupy a wooded hill in an adjoining field, with one Regt, which position he informed me, the enemy were on the move to occupy. I at once ordered Col. Warren with the 10th Va Vols to take position on the hill which he quickly did. In a short time Genl. Winder ordered me to place another Regt. on the hill with the 10th, when I ordered Maj. Williams to march the 37th there which he did with dispatch. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDuring all of the time of these movements, and in fact from the time when the Brigade first entered the field, it was exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's batteries and long range small arms. After these movements had been executed Col. Taliaferro was ordered to move the 23rd forward and charge a battery of the enemy in his front. He pushed forward with his Regt. in gallant style. But in the meantime Genl. Taylor's Louisiana Brigade had come upon the field, formed and moved in the direction of the enemy, coming up upon the left of Col. Taliaferro.  The 37th \u0026amp; 10th followed immediately after Genl. Taylor's Brigade. On rushing the top of the ridge on which the enemy's batteries had been placed, a sharp musketry fire ensued, but soon a general charge was made by our whole line when the enemy gave way and fled precipitately through Winchester in the wildest confusion. We followed in immediate pursuit on the Martinsburg road, for four miles from Winchester, where we were halted. A list of the casualties is herewith furnished, from which it will be seen that the loss of the Brigade is, comparatively, very light.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCol. Taliaferro commanding the 23rd, Col Warren commanding the 10th and Maj. Williams commanding the 37th acted in the most gallant \u0026amp; efficient manner. I refer to the reports of Col. Taliaferro, Col. Warren, \u0026amp; Maj. Williams for the conduct of the officers \u0026amp; men of their respective Regts. I with pride bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the whole Brigade both officers and men.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am indebted to Capt. Wm. B. Pendleton A.A.A. Genl. for his gallant conduct and prompt and cheerful manner with which he executed my orders. Capt Wooding's battery was not placed in position during the day. Respectfully\u003cbr\u003e\nSaml V. Fulkerson\u003cbr\u003e\nCol. Comd. Brigd.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePort Republic, Rockingham Co.\u003cbr\u003e \n8 [June] 1862 \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Kate\u003cbr\u003e\nThe place at which this letter is written is a pretty village near the foot of the Blue Ridge and about twelve miles from Harrisonburg, at the junction of the North and South Rivers, which form the Shenandoah.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wrote you last from Winchester shortly after our arrival there, giving you an account of our march and proceedings up to that time. Since then we have undergone and almost incredible amount of hardship. We stayed at Winchester two days after taking the place and then proceeded to Charles Town and Harper's Ferry. We found a few of the enemy at Charles Town, but soon drove them down to the Ferry, where they made a stand having been largely re-enforced from Washington \u0026amp; elsewhere. The enemy were in position on Bolivar Heights on the Va. side and on the heights on the Maryland side of the river. Both of these positions had been fortified by Genl. Johnston last summer.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA portion of our forces crossed the Shenandoah river and took possession of Louden Heights. This was in the evening, a brisk cannonading going on, which was renewed the next morning, and continued till the enemy was driven from the Bolivar across the Potomac. About this time Genl. Jackson received information that Genl. Shields was crossing the Blue Ridge and Genl. Fremont was coming from Moorfield to form a junction at Strasburg and thus cut us off. This placed us in the hardest place that we have ever yet been. Genl. Jackson immediately ordered us to march back. We had about fifty miles to make to pass Strasburg, and our men were already terribly broken down by continued and hard marching. We marched to our camps near Winchester that night and next morning at day light started to Strasburg, which we reached before night. We had now marched about 70 miles in less than three days, in going to and returning from Harpers Ferry.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen. Shields was now at [Front] Port Royal, some 8 or 9 miles from Strasburg, and Genl. Fremont was 7 miles from Strasburg on the Moorefield road. So you see that we had only a gap of about 15 miles wide to get out at. During Saturday night I received an order from Genl. Jackson (I was still in command of our Brigade) to proceed next morning (Sunday) at daylight, some two or three miles on the Moorefield road, take position and resist the advance of the enemy. Before I could get a position, our scouts informed me that the enemy was advancing, when I hurried forward to a suitable position, and made disposition of my own and two other Brigades which were for the time under my command.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI sent forward a company of cavalry, which soon returned at the top of their speed with the enemy's cavalry close after them. We drove these back, but in a very short time the enemy's infantry came down the road and through the woods at double quick, and when they got within range halted and opened a brisk fire upon us, which was kept up for some time when they were driven back again. By this time Gen. Ewell came upon the field and assumed command of the whole. After the enemy's infantry were driven back, they placed two pieces of cannon in position and the two forces kept up a very pretty and brisk artillery duel for an hour or more, when the enemy withdrew from the field. After this Genl Jackson came out and said that he did not want to bring on a general engagement then, and ordered us to fall back towards Strasburg. I do not think that we had more than 10 or 15 men killed and wounded. My Regt. had none hurt.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[At this point, according to the sentence below, the date is now June 10th]\nA little after dark we left Strasburg for Woodstock to which place the waggon had been sent, and we had a terrible march. (This writing above was suddenly stopped about 8 oclk on Sunday morning last by the enemies cannon, and I will now try to finish on this the 10th). We got to Woodstock about daylight, all broken completely down and seemingly half dead. We were dogged all night by the enemy's cavalry, and I know that they picked up many of our broken down stragglers. I have between thirty and forty men missing, most I fear were taken. It is not to be wondered at. Many of the poor fellows actually walked much of that weary night, fast asleep, so worn out and exhausted were they with their terrible duty. I do not think that our Genl. exercised due diligence in getting his captured stores to a secure place. There was a vast amount of them, the greater portion of which he saved. But Genl. Shields made his appearance so suddenly at Front Royal that a portion of the stores captured there were retaken together with some of our wagons.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe marched from Woodstock to near Harrisonburg, and the next day to near Port Republic, which place we reached on Saturday evening. I thought the next day, being Sunday, that we would rest, and I began to write this letter, when I was stopped by the roar of cannon down at the town. The town is located in the fork of the two rivers, the north and larger branch being bridged, the other not. The enemy's cavalry had dashed into town, with two pieces of artillery, one of which they planted at the end of the bridge, and with a third they began a fire from the opposite side of the river. Genl Jackson was in town and was taken completely by surprise and came near being captured. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe were camped about three quarters of a mile from town on the north side of the river. The enemy (Genl Shields force) had come up the river on the south side from Elk Run. In a very short time we were ordered to double quick to the bridge. My Regt. was just in the act of forming for inspection, and we got the start of the others. We passed through a wheat field with the enemy's gun from the other side of the river playing upon us. When we got to the top of the hill near the bridge the gun at the other end opened with grape upon us. My men returned the fire, when Genl. Jackson ordered me to charge through the bridge and take the gun. I led off and my men followed. We rushed through the bridge, captured the gun, and pursued the enemy through the town and until he crossed the south branch. I could have captured the other cannon in town, but I did not know of but one ford. We rushed to that, but found the enemy crossing higher up. We opened fire on them, killing some horses and two or three men and taking six or eight prisoners.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCharging in at one end of a bridge with a cannon yawning in at the other is no very pleasant past time. But my men went in so well, that it elicited the praise of the Genl. and all who witnessed it. When we got to the cannon, the smoke of the last fire was still issuing from its mouth. We charged them so quickly and so vigorously that my loss was little. Yancey Smith (brother of the Capt) of Russell was killed, and Sergt. E. Johnson and Walter James of Capt. Terry's company each had a thigh badly broken. I fear that Johnson is mortally wounded. We had put some of our artillery in position, which soon silenced the enemy's guns on the opposite side of the river, and drove them back, and they did not again advance on that day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhile this was going on, Genl. Fremont made an attack on our forces next to Harrisonburg. Our Brigade was ordered to hold the bridge and town against Genl. Shields, which we did, but could hear the fight on the other side, which lasted till nearly night with heavy loss on both sides. Our loss in officers was considerable. Genls Elzey \u0026amp; Stewart were wounded, though I think not dangerously. Our men drove the enemy back about a mile and held possession of the field during the night, having captured more than 100 prisoners.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOn our march the day before from Harrisonburg, Fremont pressed our rear very hardly, and our protection subjected us to the heaviest and saddest loss that we have sustained in the valley. Ashby (but a short time a Brigadier) was killed. He had just made a brilliant charge on the enemy, capturing a Col, Maj., and a number of prisoners. Afterwards and about dark he was leading on foot (his horse having been killed), on Infantry Regt. when he was shot through the heart, and the saddest part of it is, that it is generally believed that he was shot by our own men. He was the most gallant man I ever saw, and withal a good man. When Ashby was between us and the enemy we felt perfectly secure against any surprise, and he was always on the enemy's heels. They had great fear of him. He kept them in constant dread. His place cannot be filled, and his death cast a gloom over the whole army. He had performed more feats of daring and had done more hard and perilous service than any man in the army.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs I have placed Sundays proceedings before Saturday, I will now pass over to Monday. During Sunday our train had been sent on the road towards Waynesboro in Augusta Co. But on Sunday night Genl. Jackson threw a foot bridge across the north branch, ordered his train to turn back and take the road through Brown's Gap into Albemarle, and by a little after sun rise he had the greater portion of his army across the foot bridge and marching against Genl. Shields force, which camped the night before in sight of us about three miles off. Our Brigade and Genl. Trimble's were ordered to hold the large bridge and to resist the advance of Fremont. Our force and Shield's soon became hotly engaged, and the fight became a very hard one. Our men were being severely pressed and suffering a great loss, when Genl Jackson galloped back and ordered me to move forward my Regt at double quick, which I did. He also had the other two Regt of the Brigade ordered forward. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen I got upon the field, and was putting my men in position for action, the enemy gave way and we rushed forward, passing his battery which he abandoned, having first killed all the horses. In coming up we received a sharp fire. The enemy rallied and partially formed, but we kept on and they gave way again, and commenced a general run, and scatterment. My Regt happened to get in advance, and hounds never pursued a fox with more eagerness than they pursued the flying yankees. Some kept the road and some took the bushes, all intent on capturing a yankee. We captured about 400 prisoners most of whom were taken by my men, among them a number of officers from Col down. We also captured two Regimental flags, all of the enemies artillery (seven or eight guns), all of his ambulances \u0026amp; c., and a number of small arms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Infantry followed about six miles, and the cavalry having come up followed about six further. My men performed many individual acts of bravery one of which I notice, and you may send it to the Abingdon paper for publication. The rout was complete and entire. The prisoners say that Genl. Shields was not present, but that Genl Tyler was in command. We captured a number of our old acquaintances, the 5th Ohio, and our boys were glad to meet with them. After our Brigade crossed the north branch, Genl. Trimble crossed the large bridge and then set fire to it \u0026amp; burned it down. In a short time Genl. Fremont appeared at the burnt bridge, but could do nothing but listen to the fight and pursuit. On our return from the pursuit we quietly passed within plain view of Genl Fremont's camp, and marched to this place on the Blue Ridge, where we are staying today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur camp extends back to within four or five miles of Port Republic. Men were worse mangled in this fight than any that I have been in. Heads \u0026amp; limbs off and bodies torn open were frequent sights for several miles. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOn Sunday night Capt. Jno. Preston \u0026amp; Lieut. Jno Humes with fifty men were sent out on picket and were left out when we went into the fight on Monday. After Fremont made his appearance I sent back my Regt to bring in the picket, but he thought that he could not get to them, and come back about midnight last night. I have heard nothing from them since, but think and hope that they have gone to Staunton or Waynesboro, about 18 miles off. I am not in the habit of gathering spoils on the field, but one of me brought me a Col's horse, saddle, bridle \u0026amp; c. Another gave me a very pretty sword. The horse belonged to Col. Lewis of Pa. He has been a fine horse, but is getting old and is not a good riding horse. I also got the Col's Regimental flag.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou will see from this narrative that we have had a very active and exciting time. We have fought on three Sundays in succession, which will do pretty well for a religious Genl. I got Selina's letter the other day \u0026amp; will write her when I can. Write soon to Staunton. Don't know when we will go next. Love to Mother \u0026amp; Selina.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour brother\u003cbr\u003e\nS.V. Fulkerson \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMr. F.M. Fulkerson \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSir-\u003cbr\u003e\nIn reply to your letter of the 7th ult. permit me to say that Col. S.V. Fulkerson was an officer of distinguished worth. I deeply felt his death. He rendered valuable service to his country, and had he lived, would probably have been recommended by me before this time for a brigadier generalcy. So far as my knowledge extends, he enjoyed the confidence of his regiment and all who knew him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am Sir your obdt. servt\u003cbr\u003e \nT.J. Jackson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M. Institute June 4th 1853\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister,\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter the 28th of May. I was very glad to hear that were so well pleased with your school. I suppose that you will come home before you teach another session if you do so at all, Father wrote to me the other day for the first time, they are all well at home Father has sold his mare and bought a buggy, I suppose that he will quit riding horse back and splurge in his buggy for a while, your old Mister Brown was kicked by a horse the other day and broke his leg, his family had bad luck lately.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe will have a great ball on the if nothing happens they are prepareing tolerably rapidly now, the tickets came yesterday. I sent you one of them, I know you will be certain to come or else I would not send it to you\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe examination will commence the 20th of June, Sam is on the Board again they meet about the 15th, I have some faint hopes of passing, but it is verry doubtful  I tell you, you must write to me oftener\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate Brother\u003cbr\u003e\nAbram Fulkerson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVirginia Military Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nApr 14 1854\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter a few days ago or weeks I am not certain which but however I have not had time to answer it until to day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have nothing very new or of much importance to write to you. Circuit court is going on at present in Lexington They are trying Christian the man that killed Cadet Blackburn  there has been a great deal of excitement with the people since it commenced  there is a great many of C. friends attending the trial. I suppose from all accounts that he will be hung\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was another murder committed in town a few weeks ago almost as bad as B's, a man by the name of Winn killed the proprietor of the Washington Hotel, his name was Moore they had a falling out the day he was killed some five or six hours before the fight occurred.  Winn went to his (Moore's) house that night about ten o'clock and called him out into the street + stabbed him through the heart with a knife the knife cut his heart very near into two pieces. He died in a few minutes afterwards. There is two other men in jail for shooting men besides all of this there was a negro hung in Lexington a few weeks ago for the same offence, but it did not appear to have much affect. It seems like Lexington is going to turn out to be one of the most corrupt and immoral places in the State of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVirginia wrote to me a few days ago. Sister Alice and the children are all well.  Virginia say she likes her new home very well considering the short time that she has been there.  She did not say whether she was going to school any more at Rogersville or not.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wrote to Sam sometime ago to know whether I had better go home this summer or put it off until next. He says he thinks I had better stay another year before I go home and indeed I thought so myself  was the reason I wrote to him about it. Therefore I will not have the opportunity of coming home til next July year. I would be very glad if I could come next year but taking every thing into consideration I think it will be best to stay here another year.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI heard from Catherine lately. She is getting along about as common I believe I understand that Frank is going to marry before long. But I do not know whether it is true or not. Dr. Walker's son was here the other day on his way home from Philadelphia. He has been taking medical lessons there, I had a long talk with him.  e stayed in town one day and night. I must bring my letter to a close as I have nothing more to write, tell Balf and Jim to write to me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nA. Fulkerson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCumberland Gap\u003cbr\u003e\nMay 18, 1863\n \nMy dear wife-\u003cbr\u003e\nYour last kind letter was recd by friday's mail. Your dear letters are my greatest pleasure and do away in a great measure with the horror of separation. The frequency with which we can communicate with each other is a rich blessing and brings us as if we're almost together.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOne of our pickets came in the other day and reported that a Mr. Davis was at the lines and desired to enter. This report took me very much by surprise, for although you had mentioned the probability of his coming yet I did not look for him. He only stayed a few hours. After dinner (a very poor one without apology to him) I went [around] to show him some of the curiosities of Cumberland Gap, which he seemed to think would compensate any one for making the visit. He went back up the valley and expected to get home by Wednesday next. Will see you Sunday, if not sooner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe intelligence of the death of Gen. Jackson came upon us like a shock. We feel that his death is a national calamity. The poorest soldiers among us appreciated his worth - loved the man, and mourn his loss. I knew him well.1  He was my preceptor for more than four years and whilst during that time I did not appreciate the man, as school [schoolboys?]are not like to do, yet I always had great reverence for the man on account of his piety \u0026amp; uprightness of character. Among the many heroes of this revolution, none have lived so much adored, none have died so much deplored, and none have left a character as spotless as that of Stonewall Jackson. Could his life have been spared till the close of this cruel war, the unanimous voice of a grateful people would have proclaimed him chief ruler of the nation. But God has seen proper to take him from us, and what He does is right and for the best. It is [illegible] therefore that we make the sacrifice cheerfully, th'o we cannot see why our country should be deprived of his services at his her hour of greatest need.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have no news of importance more than you will see in the papers. The news from Ky is vague and unreliable. It is reported and believed that there are three or four Regmts at Barboursville, 30 miles distant. That Burnsides is preparing to invade E. Tenn. on a large scale there seems no longer to be any doubt. A southern woman the wife of a Lincolnite told Mrs. Patterson today that a runner had just come across the mountain to tell the Union people, they must stay at home, that the Feds would be in, in about three weeks, that where they were found absent it would be an evidence of disloyalty. I will not be surprised if they make an effort about that time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMr. Patterson started to the R.R. today - is going to the salt works. I asked him to stop and see you all, but he would not promise. No prospect of any goods yet. Do you want any money? When you need money or any thing else you must not fail to let me know. My love to mother \u0026amp; Kate. Write often,\nYour affectionate husband\u003cbr\u003e\nAF\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eField Officers Barracks, Ft. Delaware May 7 1865 \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not heard directly from you since the 4th of Feb. Your letter was directed to Ft. Pulaski. I received on my way here at Hilton Head S.C. Since that time we have passed through the most eventful period of the war. The closing scenes are being enacted, and with hearts overwhelmed with grief \u0026amp; sadness we bow in deep humiliation in their contemplation. The present, thank God, is only the \"beginning of the end.\" The military power of the South is broken, the spirit is not. The ball has been put in motion by the people of the South, an impetus has been given it, which will eventually result in the destruction of the U.S. Government and if not in the independence of the South, certainly in the disenthrallment of her people. Ten years will see us under the protecting wing of a foreign power, or independent.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI expect to meet you soon, not crowned with the laurels of victory but with the oath crammed down my throat, a quiescent citizen of the United States. I have the sweet consolation of being conscious of having served the cause faithfully. I sacrificed everything but life, and hazarded that, many times \u0026amp; in many ways, in behalf of my country. I have not the slightest fear that any man can ever point at me the finger of scorn and say \"you done it.\" I have performed my duty and now abandon the cause as (at present) hopeless, without in the least having changed my opinion as to the justness of that cause. I go now to share with the people of the south the deep humiliation which will be dictated by yankee vindictiveness.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have heard from you thr'o your father up to March 1st. Receive letters from him often. Says he will send you money \u0026amp; c thr'o Mr. Armstrong. Hope you may have no difficulty in getting along. I cannot tell when I will be released, but probably soon. My love to Kate. Tell the boy, I'll be home soon. Your affect. husband. A. Fulkerson P.W.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOfficers Barracks\u003cbr\u003e \nFt. Delaware \u003cbr\u003e\nMay 13, 1865 \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife-\u003cbr\u003e\nYour esteemed letter of the 17th April, via Knoxville reached me a few days since. I cannot express my gratification at learning that you were all well, and living. The terrible events which have transpired in the Confederacy within the past two months, and my great anxiety about you, taken together, had rendered me very unhappy, indeed wretched.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe last letter but one from you was dated 4th Feb and recd at Hilton Head S.C. the day after our departure from Ft. Pulaski. I have written you several times since my arrival here, via Richmond. About a week ago I sent you a letter to the care of Mr. Armstrong, but as I was in a very unhappy humor about them \"Cause\" it is probable that much that I said was too harsh and \"contraband\" and caused the\"confiscation\" of the letter. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe left Ft. Pulaski on the 4th March, ordered by Genrl. Grant to be exchanged. When we reached Old Point active operations had commenced on the James, were sent here. The result of the campaign was disastrous to our aims. It has ended our hopes for exchange, if not for liberty itself. I cannot talk about our misfortunes in a letter, but must wait till I see you. It seems at present, that the only means of getting out of prison, is by taking the oath. It is probable therefore I will return to you soon, not crowned with victorious laurels, but as a loyal subject (overpowered) of the U.S. I do not know whether you would recognize me as a citizen or not, perhaps you may, if necessity forces it upon me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hear from your father often. He wrote me he was making arrangements to send you money \u0026amp; clothing th'ro Mr. Armstrong. I hope it will not be inconvenient for Kate to keep you with her til I am released. My health is now very good. Your affectionate husband. A. Fulkerson.\u003cbr\u003e \nLove to Mrs. H and the boy (as you may not receive this for months, I will say our boy)\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Winchester \n9 March 1862","My Dear Mother \nNot having written or heard from home for sometime, I will write you a short letter today. You will see from the heading of this that we have not yet gone to Manassas and I cannot tell when we will go. We will not get away, unless Winchester is evacuated, while the present state of things exists here.","Genl. Banks with his army has been maneuvering about twelve miles in our front for several days. On day before yesterday we thought that we were certainly in for a fight. Banks attacked our outer posts, when we packed our baggage and sent it to the rear, and marched the men on the Martinsburg road about two miles from Winchester, where we drew up and waited for the approach of the enemy. But after skirmishing with our pickets an hour or two, he withdrew again. We lost only one man, but not of my Regt.","We have not a large force here, and I do not know what Genl. Jackson will do if the enemy advances upon us. All of the public stores have been sent away, and many of the citizens have left. There are a good many here who sympathize with the Yankees, and will be rejoiced if they get possession of Winchester. This is such a beautiful country that I should regret to see it fall into the hands of the Yankees.","Since we came back from Romney we have had three different encampments. First on the Romney Road, but when the enemy crossed at Harper's Ferry we moved and took position on that road about three miles from Winchester; and on yesterday we moved to this place, which is on the Strasburg road about three and a half miles from Winchester near a village called Kernstown.","It is doubtful about how much I will write as I have been over six hours in getting this much written. In a letter from Col. Gibson he asked what I wished you and Kate to do in case the enemy got into our county. If they should get in, and you are willing to do so, I think that you had better remain at home. Refugees have a hard time, and when people leave their homes everything is destroyed. Mr. Faulkner (Honl. Charles J.) told me that his wife had saved his property by staying at home. But if it should come to the worst, and you prefer it, leave and let the property go. I care little for the property except on yours and Kate's account. For myself I feel that I have no home so long as it is threatened by the enemy, and I would willingly give up all I have, and commence the world anew without a thing, rather than that the enemy should subjugate us.","We are very hardly pressed now, and it depends upon the spirit of our people whether we bear up against it, or give way under it. When I see so many men and especially officers shirking duty and who seem to make it a study as to the best manner in which they can get around duty, I almost despair. Many are all the time seeking personal ease or pursuing schemes of personal advancement, and would appear to be willing to sacrifice their country to attain their object. I suppose though that all wars produce the same class of selfish men, and that we must expect to be cursed with them. I do not intend to be troubled hereafter with the reflection that I did not do my duty in this conflict.","I did have some hope that I could go home for a short time this winter, but do not now expect to do so. If I had the permission I would not go now, while we are so near the enemy. Besides, so many of the officers are absent that it would be highly improper for any more to leave. In the absence of Col. Taliaferro I still have command of the 4th Brigade, which now only consists of two regiments and four pieces of artillery.","I learn that we have had very high waters in our country and that much damage has been done. I was sorry to hear that Uncle James had lost his dam. I take it that he will not get his mills to running again for some time. If any of the fence about the creek washed away, get Mr. Hughes or some one to help Lee put it up. Today (Sunday) has been a very spring-like one. Citizens say that this has been a very wet winter here and not as much cold as usual, but still the ground has not been clear of snow since the first of Jany. Scarcely any ploughing has been done here yet, and little else in the farming line. See if you can't get meal and flour from Mrs. Hopkins' mill; If not try at some other place. Henry Roberts might furnish you with meal.","I suffered for two or three weeks with a severe cold, but kept up and am now nearly well again. Jas. Vance is well. He spent this Sunday in building a chimney to his tent. He has said several times that he would not fix up any more. He has built a good many chimneys, but had soon to leave them.","Give my love to Kate and Selina. Tell Selina that she ought to write to me. You and Kate must write soon, and tell me where Ike and Abe are. Tell Amelia Vance that I will write to her when I can. I have nothing to write about but army movements, but they will have as much interest to you as anything else.","Your son, \nSaml. V. Fulkerson","Camp Near New Market \n3 Apl. 1862 ","Dear Kate \nA few days ago I wrote you giving some account of our fight near Winchester. Since that time we have been marching up and down the valley, one day falling back before the enemy and the next advancing towards him, skirmishing with him almost daily. He is now in strong force about ten miles off. Genl. Jackson has taken a position here, but whether he will fight at this place or not I am unable to say. If he has sufficient force he would not wait to be attacked.","I have been unable to hear from Jas. Vance, though I have [missing word or words] letter to Judge Parker of Winchester about him. I cannot think that he was mortally wounded, from what the men say who put him in the ambulance. I feel very much for Uncle James and family in their repeated bereavements. I miss Jimmy greatly, and would be greatly pleased to hear that his wound is not dangerous. I have seen a list of the prisoners who were taken to Baltimore but Jimmie's name is not among them. However, I am not surprised at this, as the wounded would not for awhile be removed from Winchester. I may yet get some information from Winchester about him. ","Capt. Cowan (of Russell) died of his wounds. He was a brave man and good officer. James King was as good a soldier as ever entered the line. He went off with Capt. Jones Co., was transferred to Col. Cummings Regt. and then transferred to mine. After the fight was half over, he remarked that \"he was proud of being in the 37th.\" The poor fellow was shot through the head and did not speak afterwards. Leroy Sherman among others was taken prisoner and is in Baltimore. ","The [people along the valley] claim our fight as a victory, but it is not so. We attacked a greatly superior forces and were repulsed with heavy loss. If night had not set in we would all have been captured or killed. The enemy's loss was very heavy, for our men fought with desperate courage. our loss is 469 killed and wounded. The killed wounded and missing amount to 689. This is an uncommonly heavy loss when we did not have over 3000 men in the fight. A loss of 10 per ct. is regarded as great, but ours was but little less than on fourth. My Regt. sustained the greatest loss, the killed and wounded alone being a little less than one fourth, and including the missing is a little less than one third. The northern papers speak of the terrible slaughter on their side in front of the stone fence behind which I had my Brigade. I learn that at this point the 5th Ohio Regt. was nearly [ruined]--they were a part of the rascals who aided in chasing us from Laurel Hill.","The conduct of the late North western army (Loring's) [missing words] the fight, is spoken of by the Genl. in high terms of praise. There is a difficulty with Genl. Garnett who commanded the Stonewall Brigade, but I can't speak of particulars. Genl. Winder is now in command of that Brigade.","Our men are in fine spirits and I think will fight as well now as they did at Winchester, although they feel sad, when they think of the fall of their comrades. Our flagstaff was shot down, but the flag bearer instantly raised it again and kept it floating throughout the fight. The days work hurt my horse worse than anything which he has gone through. He was under the saddle from daylight till 11 at night and was greatly excited. The reports of the guns did not scare him, but the whistling of the balls and particularly the minnie ball excited him to the highest pitch. He has not yet recovered. You will see many exaggerated accounts of the fight in the papers. If we can't get a better and more substantial reputation than a mere newspaper one, I don't want [missing words].\nI told Judge Parker [missing words] stay with you at nights during court. He is a refugee and I want to do all for him that I can. Tell Selina that here she can't write to Abe, she can write to me. Try and get the fence put up in some way. Send the enclosed to Mr. Belkin for Judge Camden. Write soon. Love to Mother \u0026 S. \nYour brother, Saml. V. Fulkerson.","Official Report of the Battle of McDowell, May 8th, 1862","Head Qrs. 37 Regt. VA. Vols. Mason's Cabins, Augusta Co., Va.   \n16 May 1862","Sir- \nIn making my official report of the part borne by my Regt in the battle near McDowell on the 8th inst., I have to say; that when I was ordered to the field, being about one mile distant, I had to pass on a portion of the way, up a very rocky \u0026 brushy hollow, which embarrassed the advance of my men greatly, and it being nothing but a defile, and the men having to advance in a single file, the Regt. necessarily stretched out over a long line. They were also much annoyed on the march after entering the field, by the shell from one of the enemies guns. ","When I reached the line of battle at the head of my Regt. (marching by flank) Brig. Genl. Taliaferro informed me that the enemy were endeavoring to turn our right flank by passing over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va Vols were there to prevent the flank movement \u0026 he ordered me to support the 31st. I at once filed into the woods, but not knowing the position of either the 31st or of the enemy, for they were not at that time firing, I got in between the two, but nearer the enemy. On halting to put my men in line, I found that I had with me only my two front companies, Co. A Capt. Terry \u0026 Co. F. Capt. Graham. In pushing forward up the ravine two companies got ahead of the others, and when the remainder got to the line of battle, I with the two first were in the woods. As soon as I formed the two companies I ordered them to give a shout which they did with a hearty good will, and we charged down the hill directly at the enemy, and when we got within forty or fifty yards of him he broke and fled, when we instantly opened fire upon them as they ran. He did not stop running till he got entirely out of the woods around the hill.","When the remainder of the Regt. reached the line of battle in the field they joined in the fight there, but after awhile Maj. Williams brought a portion of it to me in the woods, not knowing that I might be hard pressed there. But before he reached me the woods were clear of the enemy, and I marched all back to the main fight in the field.","When I got on our line it was nearly dark and we could only see the outline of the enemy on the hill side below us, \u0026 that soon disappeared, when we could only direct our fire by the flash of the enemy's guns. The fight was kept up till 9 at night when the enemy withdrew, leaving us in full possession of the field. During the fight some of my men were out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded. ","I have to report the loss of some good officers and brave men. Capt. Terry, a gallant man and model officer, was severely wounded in the leg. Lieuts. Wilhelm, May, Dye, and Fletcher were badly wounded, and the two latter have since died. These Lieuts were young officers, but they nobly did their duty. All of my officers and men who went upon the field acted in the most gallant manner, and it would be unjust to discriminate by name, except in the case of the wounded.* The loss of my Regt. is thirty nine killed and wounded and one missing, a list of whom I herewith enclose.","I feel indebted to Surgeon Hinkle and Asst. Surgeon Butler for their prompt and untiring attention to the wounded. My Acting Adjt. C.T. Duncan also deserves special mention for the manner in which he discharged his duties upon the field.","I cannot close this report without saying that my chaplain the Revd. A.B. Carrington deserves the highest praise for his conduct during and since the fight. He was struck by a spent ball, and although it made him very sick for awhile, he was and continued to be unremitting in his attention to the wounded.","Respectfully \nSaml. V. Fulkerson Col. 37 Va. Vols \nCapt Wm. B. Pendleton  AAAGenl. 3d Brigade. V.D.","*I am especially indebted to Maj. T.V. Williams for gallantry and good conduct throughout the fight. He was of great benefit in placing the men in their proper positions.","Camp at Mason's Cabins. Augusta Co.  16 May 1862 ","Dear Kate \nIt has been a good while since I wrote and the reason is that I have not had an opportunity of writing, and I feel little like it now. We have been constantly marching, fighting and watching for more than a month, and the consequence is that we are all nearly broken down, with fatigue, loss of sleep and irregularity in eating. But his being the day set apart by the President for humiliation and prayer, Genl. Jackson has ordered his army to observe it, and to abstain from all military duty, and that divine service be had in all of the Regts. But as it is now and has been raining for two days, there will be little chance for preaching out of doors.","I believe that I wrote you from Meecham's River Depot in Albemarle Co. A portion of the Regt. took the cars there for Staunton and the remainder marched on to the side of the Blue Ridge where they went on to the cars and got to Staunton about day, not having eaten anything or slept any since the night before. We stayed at Staunton that {night} and left the next day in this direction. We joined Genl. Johnson's (Alleghany) forces about six miles from Staunton. The enemy had one Regt at the east foot of the Shenandoah mountains near this place. This we came near surprising and taking with four pieces of their cannon. But they escaped, leaving all of their baggage and camp equipage and commissary stores in our hands. They fled cross the mountain to the western foot where they had two other Regts, which became alarmed \u0026 fled leaving everything, and all fell back to McDowell where their main body (Genl. Milroy in command) was stationed.","We then went into camp and on the morning of the 8th we moved towards McDowell. This is a village in Highland county about thirty miles from Staunton and ten from Monterey. Genl Johnson with his brigade was sent forward as the advance and our Brigade (10th, 23rd, and 37th Va. Vols) followed. When within about a mile of McDowell light skirmishing began, which was kept up till evening, we in the mean time having been halted about a mile in the rear. In the evening our advance Brigade and the enemy became engaged in a general fight and we were ordered forward at a double quick. A portion of the way over which we had to go was up a very rocky and brushy hollow, and when we reached our line of battle we were nearly out of breath. All along the way we were exposed to the enemy's file by their shooting at our advance and the balls striking among and around us. The whistling of the bullets excited my horse so much that he became unmanageable and I had to send him to the rear before I got upon the field. When I got on the field I asked the Genl. where my Regt. should be placed, when he said that the enemy were trying to turn our right flank over a brushy and thickly wooded ridge, and that the 31st Va. was there for the purpose of holding them back and that I must support the 31st. I at once double quicked into the woods. When I got there I found that I had but two companies (Capt. Terry's \u0026 Capt. Graham's) in consequence of my having hurried the front up the hollow so fast that they left the remainder behind and out of sight. One of the enemy's cannon was also brought to bear upon the Regt. which also embarrassed the rear. I did not know the position either of the 31st or the enemy in the woods, as they were not firing. The consequence was that I entered the woods between the two, but nearer the enemy. ","I at once formed my two companies, gave them the order to raise a shout, which they did very lustily, and we charged down the hill right at the foe. They stood till we got within forty or fifty yards of them when they broke and fled and we opened fire upon them as they ran. We ran them entirely out of the woods. Our movement was so sudden and unexpected that the enemy seemed to be surprised and much frightened. It seemed like a bold move, but I think it was the best for my men, as I only lost two men wounded (one of them mortally) at this point. The remainder of the Regt. not knowing where I was went into the main fight when they came upon the field, but after a while a portion of them we ordered to join me in the woods which they did, but there being no enemy in the woods at this time I took them all back and entered the fight in the field.","It was nearly dark and we could only see the outlines of the enemy, which was soon lost \u0026 we had to fire by the flash of their guns. The fight lasted till 9 oclk at night, when the enemy withdrew leaving us in possession of the field. The ground selected by the foe was well chosen and particularly advantageous in a night fight. The enemy had been reinforced the day before by Genl Schenck with three or four thousand men, and they fought obstinately. At one time they approached through the bushes to within 20 yards of two of my companies, but were driven back, leaving their flag bearer and flag upon the field. This was an Ohio Rgt. (32nd). I had the wounded flag bearer taken up \u0026 sent back with my wounded, but I believe he died next day. The flag was so torn to pieces that my men took some of it and some other men some. Col. Campbell's Regt. got into the fight about dark and the remainder of his Brigade did not get in at all I believe. The Stonewall Brigade, being several miles off, did not get on the field till after the fight was over.","I lost forty men in killed and wounded. Some of the wounded have since died, and others are dangerous. Three have had their legs amputated. We stayed upon the field nearly all night gathering up and sending off the killed and wounded. The 12th Geo. Regt. suffered most terribly. They were in the advance and ordered to hold a very exposed position. They lost about 180 men killed and wounded. After their ammunition gave out, they lay down and held the place at the point of the bayonet. Many of my men got out of ammunition, but I had them to supply themselves from the boxes of the dead and wounded, and in that way kept them shooting. We had no cannon in the fight. After the dead were collected on the field and laid in rows of then or fifteen, the dim moonlight gave to their countenances an unusual unearthly appearance. Our loss in officers is heavy, and I think that our whole loss is not less than 400. Genl. Johnson was wounded. Col. Gibbons of the 10th was killed. He was one of the best men I ever saw. Maj. Campbell (James C.) was wounded before he got on the field, but I think not dangerously.","I cannot tell what the enemy's loss was. They left some on the field, some in McDowell and scattered along at other places. Immediately after the fight the enemy burned all their baggage and stores at McDowell and retreated. At daylight they had all gone, and we started in pursuit. We followed three days march and came up with their rear at Franklin in Pendleton Co. We skirmished with them over a day, when we were ordered back, I do not know for what cause. It was reported that Genl. Fremont had brought on reinforcements and that a portion of Rosencranz force had joined Milroy. But I do not know that these reasons influenced Genl. Jackson. I do not know where we are going to, but think that we will not go to Staunton.","I received your letter enclosing copies of Abe's \u0026 Arthur's. I am very anxious to hear what Abe's fate has been. Write about him and Ike. Mr. Carrington is going to preach, and I do not feel like writing more. He was struck by a spent ball in the fight, but it only made him sick for awhile. Write soon and direct to Staunton. My love to Mother and Selina. I have heard nothing from J. Vance since I last wrote. \nYour brother Saml. V. Fulkerson","Head Quarters 3 Brigade, Valley District   \nCamp near Winchester, VA \n28 May 1862  ","Sir- \nIn making my report of the part acted by the 3rd Brigade in the battle near Winchester on the 25th inst., I have to say that on the morning of the 24th the Brigade left its bivouac four miles south of Front Royal at daylight and marched to Middletown, and thence down the main valley Pike in the direction of Winchester. Owing to delay occasioned by the enemy's skirmishers embarrassing the advance of the head of the column, daylight cam upon us near Kernstown, after which we quickly advanced to the mills south of Winchester, at which time a vigorous fire was going on between our own and the enemy's batteries.","I was ordered to file my Brigade to the left of the Pike and take position under shelter of a hill for the purpose of supporting one of our batteries. I was also ordered to report to Genl. Winder who was already upon the ground. I placed the 23rd \u0026 37th Va. Vols in the position indicated, when Genl Winder ordered me to occupy a wooded hill in an adjoining field, with one Regt, which position he informed me, the enemy were on the move to occupy. I at once ordered Col. Warren with the 10th Va Vols to take position on the hill which he quickly did. In a short time Genl. Winder ordered me to place another Regt. on the hill with the 10th, when I ordered Maj. Williams to march the 37th there which he did with dispatch. ","During all of the time of these movements, and in fact from the time when the Brigade first entered the field, it was exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's batteries and long range small arms. After these movements had been executed Col. Taliaferro was ordered to move the 23rd forward and charge a battery of the enemy in his front. He pushed forward with his Regt. in gallant style. But in the meantime Genl. Taylor's Louisiana Brigade had come upon the field, formed and moved in the direction of the enemy, coming up upon the left of Col. Taliaferro.  The 37th \u0026 10th followed immediately after Genl. Taylor's Brigade. On rushing the top of the ridge on which the enemy's batteries had been placed, a sharp musketry fire ensued, but soon a general charge was made by our whole line when the enemy gave way and fled precipitately through Winchester in the wildest confusion. We followed in immediate pursuit on the Martinsburg road, for four miles from Winchester, where we were halted. A list of the casualties is herewith furnished, from which it will be seen that the loss of the Brigade is, comparatively, very light.","Col. Taliaferro commanding the 23rd, Col Warren commanding the 10th and Maj. Williams commanding the 37th acted in the most gallant \u0026 efficient manner. I refer to the reports of Col. Taliaferro, Col. Warren, \u0026 Maj. Williams for the conduct of the officers \u0026 men of their respective Regts. I with pride bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the whole Brigade both officers and men.","I am indebted to Capt. Wm. B. Pendleton A.A.A. Genl. for his gallant conduct and prompt and cheerful manner with which he executed my orders. Capt Wooding's battery was not placed in position during the day. Respectfully \nSaml V. Fulkerson \nCol. Comd. Brigd.","Port Republic, Rockingham Co.  \n8 [June] 1862 ","Dear Kate \nThe place at which this letter is written is a pretty village near the foot of the Blue Ridge and about twelve miles from Harrisonburg, at the junction of the North and South Rivers, which form the Shenandoah.","I wrote you last from Winchester shortly after our arrival there, giving you an account of our march and proceedings up to that time. Since then we have undergone and almost incredible amount of hardship. We stayed at Winchester two days after taking the place and then proceeded to Charles Town and Harper's Ferry. We found a few of the enemy at Charles Town, but soon drove them down to the Ferry, where they made a stand having been largely re-enforced from Washington \u0026 elsewhere. The enemy were in position on Bolivar Heights on the Va. side and on the heights on the Maryland side of the river. Both of these positions had been fortified by Genl. Johnston last summer.","A portion of our forces crossed the Shenandoah river and took possession of Louden Heights. This was in the evening, a brisk cannonading going on, which was renewed the next morning, and continued till the enemy was driven from the Bolivar across the Potomac. About this time Genl. Jackson received information that Genl. Shields was crossing the Blue Ridge and Genl. Fremont was coming from Moorfield to form a junction at Strasburg and thus cut us off. This placed us in the hardest place that we have ever yet been. Genl. Jackson immediately ordered us to march back. We had about fifty miles to make to pass Strasburg, and our men were already terribly broken down by continued and hard marching. We marched to our camps near Winchester that night and next morning at day light started to Strasburg, which we reached before night. We had now marched about 70 miles in less than three days, in going to and returning from Harpers Ferry.","Gen. Shields was now at [Front] Port Royal, some 8 or 9 miles from Strasburg, and Genl. Fremont was 7 miles from Strasburg on the Moorefield road. So you see that we had only a gap of about 15 miles wide to get out at. During Saturday night I received an order from Genl. Jackson (I was still in command of our Brigade) to proceed next morning (Sunday) at daylight, some two or three miles on the Moorefield road, take position and resist the advance of the enemy. Before I could get a position, our scouts informed me that the enemy was advancing, when I hurried forward to a suitable position, and made disposition of my own and two other Brigades which were for the time under my command.","I sent forward a company of cavalry, which soon returned at the top of their speed with the enemy's cavalry close after them. We drove these back, but in a very short time the enemy's infantry came down the road and through the woods at double quick, and when they got within range halted and opened a brisk fire upon us, which was kept up for some time when they were driven back again. By this time Gen. Ewell came upon the field and assumed command of the whole. After the enemy's infantry were driven back, they placed two pieces of cannon in position and the two forces kept up a very pretty and brisk artillery duel for an hour or more, when the enemy withdrew from the field. After this Genl Jackson came out and said that he did not want to bring on a general engagement then, and ordered us to fall back towards Strasburg. I do not think that we had more than 10 or 15 men killed and wounded. My Regt. had none hurt.","[At this point, according to the sentence below, the date is now June 10th]\nA little after dark we left Strasburg for Woodstock to which place the waggon had been sent, and we had a terrible march. (This writing above was suddenly stopped about 8 oclk on Sunday morning last by the enemies cannon, and I will now try to finish on this the 10th). We got to Woodstock about daylight, all broken completely down and seemingly half dead. We were dogged all night by the enemy's cavalry, and I know that they picked up many of our broken down stragglers. I have between thirty and forty men missing, most I fear were taken. It is not to be wondered at. Many of the poor fellows actually walked much of that weary night, fast asleep, so worn out and exhausted were they with their terrible duty. I do not think that our Genl. exercised due diligence in getting his captured stores to a secure place. There was a vast amount of them, the greater portion of which he saved. But Genl. Shields made his appearance so suddenly at Front Royal that a portion of the stores captured there were retaken together with some of our wagons.","We marched from Woodstock to near Harrisonburg, and the next day to near Port Republic, which place we reached on Saturday evening. I thought the next day, being Sunday, that we would rest, and I began to write this letter, when I was stopped by the roar of cannon down at the town. The town is located in the fork of the two rivers, the north and larger branch being bridged, the other not. The enemy's cavalry had dashed into town, with two pieces of artillery, one of which they planted at the end of the bridge, and with a third they began a fire from the opposite side of the river. Genl Jackson was in town and was taken completely by surprise and came near being captured. ","We were camped about three quarters of a mile from town on the north side of the river. The enemy (Genl Shields force) had come up the river on the south side from Elk Run. In a very short time we were ordered to double quick to the bridge. My Regt. was just in the act of forming for inspection, and we got the start of the others. We passed through a wheat field with the enemy's gun from the other side of the river playing upon us. When we got to the top of the hill near the bridge the gun at the other end opened with grape upon us. My men returned the fire, when Genl. Jackson ordered me to charge through the bridge and take the gun. I led off and my men followed. We rushed through the bridge, captured the gun, and pursued the enemy through the town and until he crossed the south branch. I could have captured the other cannon in town, but I did not know of but one ford. We rushed to that, but found the enemy crossing higher up. We opened fire on them, killing some horses and two or three men and taking six or eight prisoners.","Charging in at one end of a bridge with a cannon yawning in at the other is no very pleasant past time. But my men went in so well, that it elicited the praise of the Genl. and all who witnessed it. When we got to the cannon, the smoke of the last fire was still issuing from its mouth. We charged them so quickly and so vigorously that my loss was little. Yancey Smith (brother of the Capt) of Russell was killed, and Sergt. E. Johnson and Walter James of Capt. Terry's company each had a thigh badly broken. I fear that Johnson is mortally wounded. We had put some of our artillery in position, which soon silenced the enemy's guns on the opposite side of the river, and drove them back, and they did not again advance on that day.","While this was going on, Genl. Fremont made an attack on our forces next to Harrisonburg. Our Brigade was ordered to hold the bridge and town against Genl. Shields, which we did, but could hear the fight on the other side, which lasted till nearly night with heavy loss on both sides. Our loss in officers was considerable. Genls Elzey \u0026 Stewart were wounded, though I think not dangerously. Our men drove the enemy back about a mile and held possession of the field during the night, having captured more than 100 prisoners.","On our march the day before from Harrisonburg, Fremont pressed our rear very hardly, and our protection subjected us to the heaviest and saddest loss that we have sustained in the valley. Ashby (but a short time a Brigadier) was killed. He had just made a brilliant charge on the enemy, capturing a Col, Maj., and a number of prisoners. Afterwards and about dark he was leading on foot (his horse having been killed), on Infantry Regt. when he was shot through the heart, and the saddest part of it is, that it is generally believed that he was shot by our own men. He was the most gallant man I ever saw, and withal a good man. When Ashby was between us and the enemy we felt perfectly secure against any surprise, and he was always on the enemy's heels. They had great fear of him. He kept them in constant dread. His place cannot be filled, and his death cast a gloom over the whole army. He had performed more feats of daring and had done more hard and perilous service than any man in the army.","As I have placed Sundays proceedings before Saturday, I will now pass over to Monday. During Sunday our train had been sent on the road towards Waynesboro in Augusta Co. But on Sunday night Genl. Jackson threw a foot bridge across the north branch, ordered his train to turn back and take the road through Brown's Gap into Albemarle, and by a little after sun rise he had the greater portion of his army across the foot bridge and marching against Genl. Shields force, which camped the night before in sight of us about three miles off. Our Brigade and Genl. Trimble's were ordered to hold the large bridge and to resist the advance of Fremont. Our force and Shield's soon became hotly engaged, and the fight became a very hard one. Our men were being severely pressed and suffering a great loss, when Genl Jackson galloped back and ordered me to move forward my Regt at double quick, which I did. He also had the other two Regt of the Brigade ordered forward. ","When I got upon the field, and was putting my men in position for action, the enemy gave way and we rushed forward, passing his battery which he abandoned, having first killed all the horses. In coming up we received a sharp fire. The enemy rallied and partially formed, but we kept on and they gave way again, and commenced a general run, and scatterment. My Regt happened to get in advance, and hounds never pursued a fox with more eagerness than they pursued the flying yankees. Some kept the road and some took the bushes, all intent on capturing a yankee. We captured about 400 prisoners most of whom were taken by my men, among them a number of officers from Col down. We also captured two Regimental flags, all of the enemies artillery (seven or eight guns), all of his ambulances \u0026 c., and a number of small arms.","The Infantry followed about six miles, and the cavalry having come up followed about six further. My men performed many individual acts of bravery one of which I notice, and you may send it to the Abingdon paper for publication. The rout was complete and entire. The prisoners say that Genl. Shields was not present, but that Genl Tyler was in command. We captured a number of our old acquaintances, the 5th Ohio, and our boys were glad to meet with them. After our Brigade crossed the north branch, Genl. Trimble crossed the large bridge and then set fire to it \u0026 burned it down. In a short time Genl. Fremont appeared at the burnt bridge, but could do nothing but listen to the fight and pursuit. On our return from the pursuit we quietly passed within plain view of Genl Fremont's camp, and marched to this place on the Blue Ridge, where we are staying today.","Our camp extends back to within four or five miles of Port Republic. Men were worse mangled in this fight than any that I have been in. Heads \u0026 limbs off and bodies torn open were frequent sights for several miles. ","On Sunday night Capt. Jno. Preston \u0026 Lieut. Jno Humes with fifty men were sent out on picket and were left out when we went into the fight on Monday. After Fremont made his appearance I sent back my Regt to bring in the picket, but he thought that he could not get to them, and come back about midnight last night. I have heard nothing from them since, but think and hope that they have gone to Staunton or Waynesboro, about 18 miles off. I am not in the habit of gathering spoils on the field, but one of me brought me a Col's horse, saddle, bridle \u0026 c. Another gave me a very pretty sword. The horse belonged to Col. Lewis of Pa. He has been a fine horse, but is getting old and is not a good riding horse. I also got the Col's Regimental flag.","You will see from this narrative that we have had a very active and exciting time. We have fought on three Sundays in succession, which will do pretty well for a religious Genl. I got Selina's letter the other day \u0026 will write her when I can. Write soon to Staunton. Don't know when we will go next. Love to Mother \u0026 Selina. \nYour brother \nS.V. Fulkerson ","Mr. F.M. Fulkerson ","Sir- \nIn reply to your letter of the 7th ult. permit me to say that Col. S.V. Fulkerson was an officer of distinguished worth. I deeply felt his death. He rendered valuable service to his country, and had he lived, would probably have been recommended by me before this time for a brigadier generalcy. So far as my knowledge extends, he enjoyed the confidence of his regiment and all who knew him.","I am Sir your obdt. servt  \nT.J. Jackson","V.M. Institute June 4th 1853","Dear Sister, \nI recd your letter the 28th of May. I was very glad to hear that were so well pleased with your school. I suppose that you will come home before you teach another session if you do so at all, Father wrote to me the other day for the first time, they are all well at home Father has sold his mare and bought a buggy, I suppose that he will quit riding horse back and splurge in his buggy for a while, your old Mister Brown was kicked by a horse the other day and broke his leg, his family had bad luck lately.","We will have a great ball on the if nothing happens they are prepareing tolerably rapidly now, the tickets came yesterday. I sent you one of them, I know you will be certain to come or else I would not send it to you","The examination will commence the 20th of June, Sam is on the Board again they meet about the 15th, I have some faint hopes of passing, but it is verry doubtful  I tell you, you must write to me oftener","Your affectionate Brother \nAbram Fulkerson","Virginia Military Institute \nApr 14 1854","Dear Mother \nI recd your letter a few days ago or weeks I am not certain which but however I have not had time to answer it until to day.","I have nothing very new or of much importance to write to you. Circuit court is going on at present in Lexington They are trying Christian the man that killed Cadet Blackburn  there has been a great deal of excitement with the people since it commenced  there is a great many of C. friends attending the trial. I suppose from all accounts that he will be hung","There was another murder committed in town a few weeks ago almost as bad as B's, a man by the name of Winn killed the proprietor of the Washington Hotel, his name was Moore they had a falling out the day he was killed some five or six hours before the fight occurred.  Winn went to his (Moore's) house that night about ten o'clock and called him out into the street + stabbed him through the heart with a knife the knife cut his heart very near into two pieces. He died in a few minutes afterwards. There is two other men in jail for shooting men besides all of this there was a negro hung in Lexington a few weeks ago for the same offence, but it did not appear to have much affect. It seems like Lexington is going to turn out to be one of the most corrupt and immoral places in the State of Virginia.","Virginia wrote to me a few days ago. Sister Alice and the children are all well.  Virginia say she likes her new home very well considering the short time that she has been there.  She did not say whether she was going to school any more at Rogersville or not.","I wrote to Sam sometime ago to know whether I had better go home this summer or put it off until next. He says he thinks I had better stay another year before I go home and indeed I thought so myself  was the reason I wrote to him about it. Therefore I will not have the opportunity of coming home til next July year. I would be very glad if I could come next year but taking every thing into consideration I think it will be best to stay here another year.","I heard from Catherine lately. She is getting along about as common I believe I understand that Frank is going to marry before long. But I do not know whether it is true or not. Dr. Walker's son was here the other day on his way home from Philadelphia. He has been taking medical lessons there, I had a long talk with him.  e stayed in town one day and night. I must bring my letter to a close as I have nothing more to write, tell Balf and Jim to write to me.","Your affectionate Son, \nA. Fulkerson","Cumberland Gap \nMay 18, 1863\n \nMy dear wife- \nYour last kind letter was recd by friday's mail. Your dear letters are my greatest pleasure and do away in a great measure with the horror of separation. The frequency with which we can communicate with each other is a rich blessing and brings us as if we're almost together.","One of our pickets came in the other day and reported that a Mr. Davis was at the lines and desired to enter. This report took me very much by surprise, for although you had mentioned the probability of his coming yet I did not look for him. He only stayed a few hours. After dinner (a very poor one without apology to him) I went [around] to show him some of the curiosities of Cumberland Gap, which he seemed to think would compensate any one for making the visit. He went back up the valley and expected to get home by Wednesday next. Will see you Sunday, if not sooner.","The intelligence of the death of Gen. Jackson came upon us like a shock. We feel that his death is a national calamity. The poorest soldiers among us appreciated his worth - loved the man, and mourn his loss. I knew him well.1  He was my preceptor for more than four years and whilst during that time I did not appreciate the man, as school [schoolboys?]are not like to do, yet I always had great reverence for the man on account of his piety \u0026 uprightness of character. Among the many heroes of this revolution, none have lived so much adored, none have died so much deplored, and none have left a character as spotless as that of Stonewall Jackson. Could his life have been spared till the close of this cruel war, the unanimous voice of a grateful people would have proclaimed him chief ruler of the nation. But God has seen proper to take him from us, and what He does is right and for the best. It is [illegible] therefore that we make the sacrifice cheerfully, th'o we cannot see why our country should be deprived of his services at his her hour of greatest need.","I have no news of importance more than you will see in the papers. The news from Ky is vague and unreliable. It is reported and believed that there are three or four Regmts at Barboursville, 30 miles distant. That Burnsides is preparing to invade E. Tenn. on a large scale there seems no longer to be any doubt. A southern woman the wife of a Lincolnite told Mrs. Patterson today that a runner had just come across the mountain to tell the Union people, they must stay at home, that the Feds would be in, in about three weeks, that where they were found absent it would be an evidence of disloyalty. I will not be surprised if they make an effort about that time.","Mr. Patterson started to the R.R. today - is going to the salt works. I asked him to stop and see you all, but he would not promise. No prospect of any goods yet. Do you want any money? When you need money or any thing else you must not fail to let me know. My love to mother \u0026 Kate. Write often,\nYour affectionate husband \nAF","Field Officers Barracks, Ft. Delaware May 7 1865 ","My dear wife","I have not heard directly from you since the 4th of Feb. Your letter was directed to Ft. Pulaski. I received on my way here at Hilton Head S.C. Since that time we have passed through the most eventful period of the war. The closing scenes are being enacted, and with hearts overwhelmed with grief \u0026 sadness we bow in deep humiliation in their contemplation. The present, thank God, is only the \"beginning of the end.\" The military power of the South is broken, the spirit is not. The ball has been put in motion by the people of the South, an impetus has been given it, which will eventually result in the destruction of the U.S. Government and if not in the independence of the South, certainly in the disenthrallment of her people. Ten years will see us under the protecting wing of a foreign power, or independent.","I expect to meet you soon, not crowned with the laurels of victory but with the oath crammed down my throat, a quiescent citizen of the United States. I have the sweet consolation of being conscious of having served the cause faithfully. I sacrificed everything but life, and hazarded that, many times \u0026 in many ways, in behalf of my country. I have not the slightest fear that any man can ever point at me the finger of scorn and say \"you done it.\" I have performed my duty and now abandon the cause as (at present) hopeless, without in the least having changed my opinion as to the justness of that cause. I go now to share with the people of the south the deep humiliation which will be dictated by yankee vindictiveness.","I have heard from you thr'o your father up to March 1st. Receive letters from him often. Says he will send you money \u0026 c thr'o Mr. Armstrong. Hope you may have no difficulty in getting along. I cannot tell when I will be released, but probably soon. My love to Kate. Tell the boy, I'll be home soon. Your affect. husband. A. Fulkerson P.W.","Officers Barracks  \nFt. Delaware  \nMay 13, 1865 ","My dear wife- \nYour esteemed letter of the 17th April, via Knoxville reached me a few days since. I cannot express my gratification at learning that you were all well, and living. The terrible events which have transpired in the Confederacy within the past two months, and my great anxiety about you, taken together, had rendered me very unhappy, indeed wretched.","The last letter but one from you was dated 4th Feb and recd at Hilton Head S.C. the day after our departure from Ft. Pulaski. I have written you several times since my arrival here, via Richmond. About a week ago I sent you a letter to the care of Mr. Armstrong, but as I was in a very unhappy humor about them \"Cause\" it is probable that much that I said was too harsh and \"contraband\" and caused the\"confiscation\" of the letter. ","We left Ft. Pulaski on the 4th March, ordered by Genrl. Grant to be exchanged. When we reached Old Point active operations had commenced on the James, were sent here. The result of the campaign was disastrous to our aims. It has ended our hopes for exchange, if not for liberty itself. I cannot talk about our misfortunes in a letter, but must wait till I see you. It seems at present, that the only means of getting out of prison, is by taking the oath. It is probable therefore I will return to you soon, not crowned with victorious laurels, but as a loyal subject (overpowered) of the U.S. I do not know whether you would recognize me as a citizen or not, perhaps you may, if necessity forces it upon me.","I hear from your father often. He wrote me he was making arrangements to send you money \u0026 clothing th'ro Mr. Armstrong. I hope it will not be inconvenient for Kate to keep you with her til I am released. My health is now very good. Your affectionate husband. A. Fulkerson.  \nLove to Mrs. H and the boy (as you may not receive this for months, I will say our boy)"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFulkerson Family papers, 1835-1925. MS 0363. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Fulkerson Family papers, 1835-1925. MS 0363. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection consists of related to three members of the Fulkerson family: Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862), his brother Abram Fulkerson, Jr.          (1834-1902), and Abram's son, Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926). Significant items include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivil War correspondence (dated March-May 1862) written by Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSamuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) reports of the Battle of McDowell and the Battle of Winchester (dated May and June 1862)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWartime correspondence (dated 1863 and 1865) written by Abram Fulkerson, Jr. Two letters were written while he was a prisoner of war.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA letter of appreciation (dated September 1862) written by General Stonewall Jackson following Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) death in battle\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nIn addition to the battles mentioned above, topics include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBattles of Port Republic and Kernstown\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeath of Turner Ashby\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefugee and civilian life\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCamp life\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReferences to Stonewall Jackson, including Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862 assessment of his character and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s reflections following the Jackson's death\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nAlso included are biographical and genealogical material, business and financial papers of Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), and family correspondence.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Estillville, Scott County, Virginia. Topics include family news and talks of Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s first days at VMI and encourages him to study, stating \"you now have a chance of getting a better education and of\ndoing more for yourself than any of your brothers have ever had an opportunity of getting or doing for themselves, and if you do not turn you chance to good advantage it will be your own fault.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Topics include Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s progress at VMI and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI examinations and grades. Samuel V. Fulkerson warns Abram Fulkerson, Jr. about the excessive number of demerits and cautions about leaving school, stating \"I do not like to hear you expressing a desire to resign. You know that a great part of your expense is paid by the state, and that you have undertaken to teach two years in the state as a sort of recompense. You will not forget this obligation.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI finances and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s \"unkind conduct.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards a recent trip and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news and concerns for family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from camp near New Market, Virginia. Letter regards the Battle of Kernstown, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReport after the Battle of McDowell, Virginia. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Augusta County, Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and a recent battle.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReport written to Major R. L. Dabney. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment in the Battle of Winchester, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTypescript copy. The letter discusses the character of General Stonewall Jackson and the events at the Battle of Port Republic, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn the letter, Stonewall Jackson extends condolences after the death of Samuel V. Fulkerson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAppointment to the VMI Board of Visitors (1853) and to judgeship (1857).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis series includes letters two letters and one letter fragment written while Abram Fulkerson, Jr. was a cadet at VMI and three letters written during his Civil War service.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news, the military ball, and exams. The letter includes an invitation to the military ball.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the trial of Charles Christian for the murder of Cadet Thomas Blackburn.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cumberland Gap. Letter regards the death of General Stonewall Jackson.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and defeat of the South.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and being exchanged.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis series contains financial and business papers, and genealogical information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The collection consists of related to three members of the Fulkerson family: Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1822-1862), his brother Abram Fulkerson, Jr.          (1834-1902), and Abram's son, Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926). Significant items include:\n Civil War correspondence (dated March-May 1862) written by Samuel V. Fulkerson (1822-1862) Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) reports of the Battle of McDowell and the Battle of Winchester (dated May and June 1862) Wartime correspondence (dated 1863 and 1865) written by Abram Fulkerson, Jr. Two letters were written while he was a prisoner of war. A letter of appreciation (dated September 1862) written by General Stonewall Jackson following Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862) death in battle \nIn addition to the battles mentioned above, topics include:\n Battles of Port Republic and Kernstown Death of Turner Ashby Refugee and civilian life Camp life References to Stonewall Jackson, including Samuel V. Fulkerson's (1822-1862 assessment of his character and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s reflections following the Jackson's death \nAlso included are biographical and genealogical material, business and financial papers of Samuel Vance Fulkerson (1863-1926), and family correspondence.","Written from Estillville, Scott County, Virginia. Topics include family news and talks of Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s first days at VMI and encourages him to study, stating \"you now have a chance of getting a better education and of\ndoing more for yourself than any of your brothers have ever had an opportunity of getting or doing for themselves, and if you do not turn you chance to good advantage it will be your own fault.\"","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Topics include Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s progress at VMI and family news.","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI examinations and grades. Samuel V. Fulkerson warns Abram Fulkerson, Jr. about the excessive number of demerits and cautions about leaving school, stating \"I do not like to hear you expressing a desire to resign. You know that a great part of your expense is paid by the state, and that you have undertaken to teach two years in the state as a sort of recompense. You will not forget this obligation.\"","Written from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia. Letter regards VMI finances and Abram Fulkerson, Jr.'s \"unkind conduct.\"","Letter regards a recent trip and family news.","Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news and concerns for family.","Written from camp near New Market, Virginia. Letter regards the Battle of Kernstown, Virginia.","Report after the Battle of McDowell, Virginia. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment.","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and a recent battle.","Report written to Major R. L. Dabney. The report discusses the participation of 37th Virginia Regiment in the Battle of Winchester, Virginia.","Typescript copy. The letter discusses the character of General Stonewall Jackson and the events at the Battle of Port Republic, Virginia.","In the letter, Stonewall Jackson extends condolences after the death of Samuel V. Fulkerson.","Appointment to the VMI Board of Visitors (1853) and to judgeship (1857).","This series includes letters two letters and one letter fragment written while Abram Fulkerson, Jr. was a cadet at VMI and three letters written during his Civil War service.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news, the military ball, and exams. The letter includes an invitation to the military ball.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the trial of Charles Christian for the murder of Cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Cumberland Gap. Letter regards the death of General Stonewall Jackson.","Written from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and defeat of the South.","Written from Fort Delaware Prison. Letter regards end of the Civil War and being exchanged.","This series contains financial and business papers, and genealogical information.","This series consists of three items of correspondence, including:\n Letter from Margaret Fulkerson (Vance) to Mrs. Jane Preston (dated October 24, 1835) Letter from J. S. Bradley to his cousin Harriet Fulkerson (dated July 24, 1847) Letter from Dolly Bradley to Harriet Fulkerson (dated February 27, 1848) "],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_037e0e501ef493707a01e4a9bf4b0596\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862","Williams, Titus V. (Titus Vespasian), 1835-1908","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862"],"persname_ssim":["Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1822-1862","Fulkerson, Samuel V. (Samuel Vance), 1863-1926","Fulkerson, Abram, Jr., 1834-1902","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Ashby, Turner, 1828-1862","Williams, Titus V. (Titus Vespasian), 1835-1908","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":25,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-29T07:04:30.871Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_596_c04"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Virginia Military Institute Archives","value":"Virginia Military Institute Archives","hits":82},"links":{"remove":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Annual and special reports of the Superintendent","value":"Annual and special reports of the Superintendent","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Annual+and+special+reports+of+the+Superintendent\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Board of Visitors appointment documents","value":"Board of Visitors appointment documents","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Board+of+Visitors+appointment+documents\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Board of Visitors correspondence and administrative records, historical","value":"Board of Visitors correspondence and administrative records, historical","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Board+of+Visitors+correspondence+and+administrative+records%2C+historical\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Board of Visitors minutes","value":"Board of Visitors minutes","hits":2},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Board+of+Visitors+minutes\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Bushong Family ledger","value":"Bushong Family ledger","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Bushong+Family+ledger\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Cadet Life, Organizations, and Activities","value":"Cadet Life, Organizations, and Activities","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Cadet+Life%2C+Organizations%2C+and+Activities\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1843\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Charles A. 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