{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Bplaces%5D%5B%5D=Lexington+%28Va.%29+--+Schools+--+19th+century\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Bplaces%5D%5B%5D=Lexington+%28Va.%29+--+Schools+--+19th+century\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives\u0026page=1"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":3,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Campbell and Varner family papers","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_364.xml","title_ssm":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"title_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1845-1928"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1845-1928"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364"],"text":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364","Campbell and Varner family papers","Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Confederate States of America. Army—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks","There are no restrictions","A portion of this collection is available online","Robert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.","Charles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.","The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","Following the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia.","HeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles \nMt. Sidney Augusta Co. \nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.","Dear Father: \nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.","We have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.","Eight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.","My love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026 c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.","Tell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.","Shenandoah Co. \nMt. Jackson \nApril 20/61","Dear Mother \nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.","We left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.","We start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.","Give my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.","P.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.","P.S. I will write again soon.","Harper's Ferry \nMay 4/1861","Dear Mother \nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.","We have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.","Tell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.","Every evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"","We are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.","I wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.","Give my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son, \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry May 19 \n6 ½ A.M.","Dear Father, \nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026 artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Martinsburg May 21/61","Dear Mother, \nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.","I like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026 Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.","We have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.","We are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.","Tell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son, \nR. Henry Campbell","P. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.","Martinsburg Va. May 29/61","Dear Sister, \nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.","There has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.","I attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.","I sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.","There is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry June 3d 1861","Dear Mother, \nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026 Post Masters.","I received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.","Last week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.","You ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.","You also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.","We have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.","When we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.","You spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)","When the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.","Some time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.","Tell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.","Tell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.","John and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.","Camp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m. \nJuly 21st","Dear Mother, \nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.","They have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026 Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.","I do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.","I expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.","It is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.","Let Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.","Your affectionate Son, \nR. H. Campbell","Sam Charlton is safe \u0026 John is in Winchester.","HD'QRS U. S. Forces \nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865","Gen'l Order, \nNo 1. \nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.","II. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).","III. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed","IV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.","V. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.","Wm. W. Stewart \nCol. Com'd'g","This  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","The collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).","Additional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n A note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market A letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry Letters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops \nOther items in this collection include:\n Two notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded Family photographs A broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops Family documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.","Written from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.","Written from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.","Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run.","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 2","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Campbell family","Varner family","Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"collection_ssim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creator_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creators_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"places_ssim":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"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—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America. Army—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.5 Linear Feet approximately 40 items in one box and oversized case"],"extent_tesim":["0.5 Linear Feet approximately 40 items in one box and oversized case"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence","Notebooks"],"date_range_isim":[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],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":[" Restrictions on Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll11/field/descri/searchterm/MS%200282/mode/exact\"\u003eA portion of this collection is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["A portion of this collection is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCharles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFollowing the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Robert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.","Charles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.","The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","Following the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eHeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles\u003cbr\u003e\nMt. Sidney Augusta Co.\u003cbr\u003e\nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father:\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026amp; c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eShenandoah Co.\u003cbr\u003e\nMt. Jackson\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 20/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. I will write again soon.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry\u003cbr\u003e\nMay 4/1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEvery evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry May 19\u003cbr\u003e\n6 ½ A.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026amp; artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son.\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMartinsburg May 21/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026amp; Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMartinsburg Va. May 29/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister,\u003cbr\u003e\nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother.\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry June 3d 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026amp; Post Masters.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSome time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJohn and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m.\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 21st\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026amp; Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026amp;\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLet Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. H. Campbell\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSam Charlton is safe \u0026amp; John is in Winchester.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHD'QRS U. S. Forces\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen'l Order,\u003cbr\u003e\nNo 1.\u003cbr\u003e\nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eII. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIII. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eV. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWm. W. Stewart\u003cbr\u003e\nCol. Com'd'g\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["HeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles \nMt. Sidney Augusta Co. \nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.","Dear Father: \nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.","We have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.","Eight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.","My love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026 c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.","Tell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.","Shenandoah Co. \nMt. Jackson \nApril 20/61","Dear Mother \nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.","We left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.","We start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.","Give my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.","P.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.","P.S. I will write again soon.","Harper's Ferry \nMay 4/1861","Dear Mother \nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.","We have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.","Tell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.","Every evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"","We are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.","I wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.","Give my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son, \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry May 19 \n6 ½ A.M.","Dear Father, \nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026 artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Martinsburg May 21/61","Dear Mother, \nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.","I like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026 Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.","We have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.","We are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.","Tell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son, \nR. Henry Campbell","P. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.","Martinsburg Va. May 29/61","Dear Sister, \nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.","There has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.","I attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.","I sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.","There is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry June 3d 1861","Dear Mother, \nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026 Post Masters.","I received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.","Last week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.","You ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.","You also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.","We have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.","When we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.","You spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)","When the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.","Some time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.","Tell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.","Tell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.","John and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.","Camp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m. \nJuly 21st","Dear Mother, \nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.","They have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026 Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.","I do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.","I expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.","It is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.","Let Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.","Your affectionate Son, \nR. H. Campbell","Sam Charlton is safe \u0026 John is in Winchester.","HD'QRS U. S. Forces \nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865","Gen'l Order, \nNo 1. \nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.","II. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).","III. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed","IV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.","V. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.","Wm. W. Stewart \nCol. Com'd'g"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCampbell and Varner family papers. Manuscript # 0282. Virginia Military Institute Archives\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers. Manuscript # 0282. Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAdditional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nOther items in this collection include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily photographs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run.\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":["This  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","The collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).","Additional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n A note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market A letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry Letters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops \nOther items in this collection include:\n Two notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded Family photographs A broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops Family documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.","Written from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.","Written from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.","Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run."],"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_1d50d6a9584a5b1bf4b813102a258aa3\"\u003eManuscripts stacks and oversized case 2\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks and oversized case 2"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Campbell family","Varner family","Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Campbell family","Varner family","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898"],"famname_ssim":["Campbell family","Varner family"],"persname_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":9,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:13:02.393Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_364.xml","title_ssm":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"title_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1845-1928"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1845-1928"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364"],"text":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364","Campbell and Varner family papers","Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Confederate States of America. Army—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks","There are no restrictions","A portion of this collection is available online","Robert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.","Charles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.","The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","Following the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia.","HeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles \nMt. Sidney Augusta Co. \nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.","Dear Father: \nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.","We have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.","Eight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.","My love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026 c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.","Tell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.","Shenandoah Co. \nMt. Jackson \nApril 20/61","Dear Mother \nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.","We left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.","We start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.","Give my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.","P.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.","P.S. I will write again soon.","Harper's Ferry \nMay 4/1861","Dear Mother \nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.","We have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.","Tell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.","Every evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"","We are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.","I wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.","Give my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son, \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry May 19 \n6 ½ A.M.","Dear Father, \nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026 artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Martinsburg May 21/61","Dear Mother, \nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.","I like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026 Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.","We have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.","We are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.","Tell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son, \nR. Henry Campbell","P. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.","Martinsburg Va. May 29/61","Dear Sister, \nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.","There has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.","I attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.","I sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.","There is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry June 3d 1861","Dear Mother, \nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026 Post Masters.","I received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.","Last week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.","You ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.","You also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.","We have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.","When we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.","You spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)","When the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.","Some time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.","Tell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.","Tell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.","John and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.","Camp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m. \nJuly 21st","Dear Mother, \nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.","They have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026 Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.","I do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.","I expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.","It is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.","Let Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.","Your affectionate Son, \nR. H. Campbell","Sam Charlton is safe \u0026 John is in Winchester.","HD'QRS U. S. Forces \nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865","Gen'l Order, \nNo 1. \nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.","II. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).","III. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed","IV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.","V. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.","Wm. W. Stewart \nCol. Com'd'g","This  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","The collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).","Additional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n A note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market A letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry Letters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops \nOther items in this collection include:\n Two notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded Family photographs A broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops Family documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.","Written from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.","Written from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.","Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run.","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 2","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Campbell family","Varner family","Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0282","/repositories/3/resources/364"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"collection_ssim":["Campbell and Varner family papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creator_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"creators_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870"],"places_ssim":["Richmond (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Martinsburg, (W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, African American","Freemasons, Lexington, Va. Mountain City Lodge No.67","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"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—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America. Army—Rockbridge Rifles","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 27th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 4th","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Infantry Regiment, 5th","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Lexington (Va.) -- Freemasons, Mountain City Lodge No.67","Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861","Soldiers—Virginia—Correspondence","Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (May-August)—Personal narratives","Lexington (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Hunter's Raid—Virginia—Lexington","Correspondence","Notebooks"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.5 Linear Feet approximately 40 items in one box and oversized case"],"extent_tesim":["0.5 Linear Feet approximately 40 items in one box and oversized case"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence","Notebooks"],"date_range_isim":[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],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":[" Restrictions on Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/search/collection/p15821coll11/field/descri/searchterm/MS%200282/mode/exact\"\u003eA portion of this collection is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["A portion of this collection is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRobert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCharles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFollowing the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical","Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Robert Henry Campbell of Lexington, Virginia was a shoemaker. He served with the Rockbridge Rifles during the Civil War (1861 only) and was discharged due to illness (tuberculosis). Campbell then was a clerk and the Quartermaster and Treasurer at VMI from 1864 to 1870. He died in 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.","Charles Van Buren Varner was born in 1838 in Lexington, Virginia. He served with Rockbridge Rifles during Civil War. After the War he was a cabinetmaker and a carpenter at VMI. Varner dided in 1907 in Lexington.","The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","Following the surrender of the Confederacy at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865, towns throughout the Shenandoah Valley were temporarily occupied by United States Army Forces tasked with solidifying federal control and maintaining order. This broadside was posted throughout the town of Lexington, Virginia."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eHeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles\u003cbr\u003e\nMt. Sidney Augusta Co.\u003cbr\u003e\nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father:\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026amp; c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eShenandoah Co.\u003cbr\u003e\nMt. Jackson\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 20/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. I will write again soon.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry\u003cbr\u003e\nMay 4/1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother\u003cbr\u003e\nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEvery evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry May 19\u003cbr\u003e\n6 ½ A.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Father,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026amp; artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son.\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMartinsburg May 21/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026amp; Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMartinsburg Va. May 29/61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister,\u003cbr\u003e\nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother.\u003cbr\u003e\nR. Henry Campbell.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHarper's Ferry June 3d 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026amp; Post Masters.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSome time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJohn and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m.\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 21st\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026amp; Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026amp;\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLet Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nR. H. Campbell\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSam Charlton is safe \u0026amp; John is in Winchester.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHD'QRS U. S. Forces\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen'l Order,\u003cbr\u003e\nNo 1.\u003cbr\u003e\nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eII. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIII. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eV. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWm. W. Stewart\u003cbr\u003e\nCol. Com'd'g\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["HeadQuarters Rockbridge Rifles \nMt. Sidney Augusta Co. \nSaturday morning 6 o'clock a.m.","Dear Father: \nHaving a spare hour I thought I would write you a few lines. We arrived in Staunton about five o'clock Friday morning and stopped at the Virginia House, where we were as well treated as if we were paying $3 per day. We left Staunton at half past three yesterday and arrived at this place about dark. We go on from here to Harrisonburg today. None of us will have to walk we think, as the people all around will furnish us all they can. They have here sent a great many of their conveyances away with their own men who left for Harper's Ferry yesterday. We think that that will be our destination.","We have certainly been well treated so far. We have every comfort that we could get if we were at home. The people could not treat us better if we were their own sons. They say that men who are going to fight for their country should have the best that the land can afford while they can possibly get it.","Eight of us staid at a gentleman's house here by the name of Hyde. He is a relation of Thos. T. Hyde and is certainly a gentleman. Mac, Sandy Gordon, John Middleton, Dave Riley, Reed Hanger, Jos. Marston, John Edmondson and myself composed the squad who staid last night.","My love to everybody and tell them that every one of us will be back in Lexington again. I have to close as we will start in a short time. Excuse bad writing as I am in a hurry, have a bad pen, \u0026 c. Tell mother to keep up a good heart. Also Mrs. McCown for Mac he will write tomorrow. We are all in fine spirits. Yours affectionately, R. Henry Campbell.","Tell Mr. Deaver that J. Marston is perfectly well again and sends his love to Mr. Deaver's family, and all others.","Shenandoah Co. \nMt. Jackson \nApril 20/61","Dear Mother \nWe left Mt. Sidney on Saturday morning and arrived in Harrisonburg on Saturday evening about 3 oclock. We were divided out among the citizens. Myself and four others went to a gentleman's by the name of Wilson. There was about fifteen young ladies there, we were treated very kindly. At 7 o'clock we were presented with a flag by the ladies of Harrisonburg representing the Confederated states, with a star for Virginia in the center.","We left Harrisonburg this (Sunday) morning and arrived at this place at six oclock. Part of the company put up at Mr. Farrah's Hotel (Mr. Tanquary's father in law) and the other part at Mr. Coalters Hotel. I am at the last named Hotel, and we are as well treated as if we were at home.","We start for Winchester tomorrow morning at 7 oclock. We are better treated than any other company I think, and the reason is this, our Captain is the Governor's brother, and he can get almost anything he asks for.","Give my love to all the family, to Uncle George, Grandmother, Aunt Marsy, and all the balance and accept a large portion for yourself. Your affectionate Son, R. Henry Campbell.","P.S. Give my respect to Mr. Turpin's family and tell Mrs. Turpin that Mr. Turpin is well and in fine spirits. R.H.C.","P.S. I will write again soon.","Harper's Ferry \nMay 4/1861","Dear Mother \nI write this morning to let you know how we all are. We are all in tolerable good health except Mr. Webb and Tanquary. They both expect to go home shortly.","We have a good deal of duty to attend to. We go to Reveille at 5 oclock a.m., squad drill at 5½ oclock, surgeons call at 6½ oclock, at 7 we have breakfast, at 8 first call for guard mounting, at 8½ second call for guard mounting, orderly hours 9 until ten, squad drill 10½ to 11½, Battalion drill 11½ to 12½ dinner 1, squad drill again 2½ to 3½, dress parade at 6, retreat at sundown, supper at 7, tattoo at 9½, taps at 10. Besides this we have to walk guard. I have not drank a drop of whisky or brandy since I left and I do not intend to do so until I get back. I think that I can do as well without it as with it. Col. Jackson has forbid the Liquor Dealers to sell to the soldiers, but they still get it on the sly. I believe that there is less whisky drank in our company than in any other company here.","Tell father that John Donald has not drank a drop of liquor since he left and I do not think that he will. He was the same dry wit that he had about him when at home. He sends his best respects to our family, also to Mr. Jacob Smith.","Every evening we have singing after supper. James Campbell, John and Sam Charlton lead, they generally commence with \"Do they miss me at home,\" then they sing two or three hymns and finish up with \"They miss me at home.\"","We are divided off into messes; each corporal and sergeant has charge of a mess. I have nine in my mess--myself, McCown, Kelly T., Kelly J., McMarra, Mullen, Lynch, Ashery McClure, and Charley Rollins. I appoint one man every day to cook for the rest. I have to go and get the provisions three times a day from the Quartermaster.","I wish you would send me some paper collars if you can get them. They are better than the Linen collars. I can wear one of them a week and then you do not have the trouble of washing.","Give my love to all and tell some of my friends to write to me. You do not know how eagerly we await the coming of the mail, and how disappointed we are if we do not get a letter. No more at present from your affectionate son, \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry May 19 \n6 ½ A.M.","Dear Father, \nWe expect to leave for Sheppardstown at 8 o'clock this morning. If we do not go I will write tomorrow again. We were in arms all of last night, expecting an attack. It was currently reported and believed that 10000 Federal Troops were within a few miles and were marching on to attack us this morning. I hardly think it is so. Tell the people in Lexington who have friends and relatives here that if we move we will write as soon as we reach our destination. All are well. John Edmondson is improving and will be well in a short time. My love to all. Tell mother and sis I will write and answer their letters as soon as I can. The Grays \u0026 artillery are here. No more at present. I remain your affectionate son. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Martinsburg May 21/61","Dear Mother, \nWe arrived at place on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. We did not certainly know where we were going to when we left the Ferry as we were marching under sealed orders. Our Captain did not know where we were going when we left the Ferry, as he was prohibited from opening his orders until after he left the Ferry. We came to our journey's end much sooner than we expected, for it was generally believed before we left (as I wrote to Father) that we were going to Wheeling.","I like the looks of Martinsburg very much. It is a very nice place. It contains some beautiful residences. Its population is 4000. Almost all of the inhabitants are still for the Union. The Ladies all play (on the piano) Hail Columbia \u0026 Star Spangled Banner. This County gave seven hundred majority for the Union.","We have excellent quarters. We are quartered in the Town Hall. Gen. Davis is in command at Richmond, Gen. Beauregard at Norfolk, Gen. Johnson has superceded Col. Jackson at the Ferry. I sent my likeness by John Breedlove to you. I gave it to him the morning we left the Ferry. He expected to start for home the next day. I intend to send Sis my likeness by the first one who goes home.","We are all well and in good spirits. I would have written sooner but have not has time. Charley Rollins is not with the Company. He is an Orderly at Head Quarters in Harper's Ferry. He wrote me word that he would join us the last of this week. He is well and sends his respects.","Tell Sis and Father that I will answer their letters as soon as I can. No more at present, but I remain your affectionate Son, \nR. Henry Campbell","P. S. Write soon. My love to all. R. H. C.","Martinsburg Va. May 29/61","Dear Sister, \nI write again this morning to let you know that we are all well and in good spirits. We have been very kindly treated by the Citizens since we have been here. They still continue to send us provisions every day. The Ladies send us bouquets every day; and are continually sending invitations to dine and take tea with them.","There has been a great change since we have been here. When we first came, the most of the Citizens were Unionists, a great many of them have changed and become Secessionists. When we came, our flag was the only Secession flag that could be seen. Now you can see them on every street. The Ladies wear them pinned to their dresses.","I attended church three times last Sunday. In the morning we went to the Methodist, in the evening I went to the German Evangelical, and then to the Lutheran. All of the proceedings were carried on in Dutch at the German Evangelical.","I sent my likeness to you on last Monday by Col. Ruff. I sent one to Mother by John Breedlove the morning we left the Ferry.","There is no news of interest at present, therefore I will have to close for the want of material. Write soon. I remain your affectionate Brother. \nR. Henry Campbell.","Harper's Ferry June 3d 1861","Dear Mother, \nI received your kind letter that you sent by Mr. Charlton. I do not receive half the number of letters now that I did some time ago. I have no doubts about your writing often, but think it is the fault of the Mail Carries \u0026 Post Masters.","I received the Cakes and sugars. Tell Sis they are very nice and that I am much obliged to her. We will not get such eatables here. While we were in Martinsburg, we had plenty of nice provisions, but since we have been here we get nothing but Soldiers fare. Our Company left Martinsburg on the morning of the first of June. All of the Citizens were very sorry to see us leave. They\nsay that if they are going to station a Company in Martinsburg, that they want us to come back. They say that we are the most gentlemanly set of men that they have seen, and that they would rather have us there than to have their own town Company.","Last week I was appointed Sergeant by our Officers. Also A. S. Wade was appointed Sergeant. Ed Northern, Andrew Varner and Wallace Ruff were appointed Corporals. I wish you to tell Father to get Mr. Vanderslice to make me a pair of Sergeant's chevrons [Chevrons]. Tell him to make them like the Cadets' are made. I cannot get a bit of Lace here or I would get them made here. If he cannot get the Lace at the Institute, go to Mr. James S. Smith's Jewelry Store, and tell him to let him have that Lace that belongs\nto Sergeant Boude. Tell him that Boude told me to send for it. Send them the first opportunity that you have as I wish to have them put on my coat.","You ask why we were sent to Martinsburg and why we were kept in the House the day of the Election. I do not know why we were sent there, but I think that it was to keep down a disturbance if there should be any. Our Company was not locked up the day of the Election, but we were required to be at our quarters, so that if we were needed we would all be together. The voting was done at the Court House just across the street from our Quarters. All of our Company that had a vote cast them for Ratification. A good\nmany of our Company had no vote. I was one that could not vote. You say that James Suddarth was greatly elated, because his Company was ordered off. Let him come and go through what we have gone through and I think too that he will have the wire edge taken off him. I think it will go rather hard with that Company if they have much duty to do as they have been used to lazing about College and doing nothing.","You also asked to send my likeness if I could spare the money. I sent you my likeness by John Breedlove nearly two weeks ago and I sent my likeness to Sis by Col. Ruff about a week ago.","We have not drawn any wages yet and I do not think that we will get them soon. Some of the Companies I hear have been paid, but I do not know whether to believe it or not. My money is almost gone. I do not know what I will do when my money gives out. Money will get anything that we need. Moody is with the Company now. He looks real pitiful. I do not know whether the Company will allow him to stay or not. Nothing will be done with him. I think he is punished sufficiently, the men hardly speak to him.","When we got to this place on Saturday evening, twenty five men were detailed to go back within two miles of Martinsburg to burn the Bridge across the Opequon River. I was Sergeant of the detachment. We walked about eight miles up the Rail Road and then got a hand car and worked our way within a mile of the Bridge. We stopped there and Lieut. Edmondson, myself and ten others went forward to reconnoiter (We expected to have a skirmish as the Citizens of Martinsburg (the Union men) said that we should not burn the bridge). When we got within sight of the Bridge we found a sentinel pacing on top of the Bridge. We immediately sent back and informed the reserve that there was a guard on the Bridge and for them to come on. We marched up to the Bridge. When we got there two others appeared and asked us where we were going to. We told them that we were going to stop there. Then they asked us to what we were going to do. We told them that we were going to burn the Bridge. Then one of the three that\nwas at the Bridge said that he must go up to a house that was just above the Bridge and see the Captain of the Guard. As soon as he got to the Guard House and told the Captain of the Guard that there was a detachment at the Bridge, he called out his whole guard (amounting to 31 men) with their arms and came to the Bridge. We expected to have a fight, then as some of them said that the Bridge should not be burned while we were talking, the reserve of 13 men came up and they backed out. We kindled about twenty fires in the Bridge and set them afire. At eight o'clock Sunday morning, the bridge was in ashes. Not a particle of it was left except the butments. While the Bridge was burning the Guard from Martinsburg stood upon the other side and watched until the Bridge was consumed but did not attempt to interfere. If they had they would have met with a warm reception as we were well prepared and went with the determination to burn the Bridge. We burnt the Bridge by the order of Gen. Johnson to prevent\nthe Federal Troops from coming down on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Two bridges were burnt above near Grafton on the same road last week.","You spoke of hearing that there was a fight at the ferry. There has not been one here, and I do not think that there will be one at this place. I think if the Federal Troops invade Virginia, that they will come through Maryland and enter Virginia just opposite of Martinsburg and march across to Winchester (22 miles) so as to cut off the supplies that are intended for this place. I think that the troops here ought to burn every house in the Ferry and move to Winchester as there is nothing here now to protect as the Machinery has all been removed and is not in Richmond. There is a force of about 18000 at this place now and they are still coming every day. There is a force of 36000 at Manassas junction on the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road near Alexandria. All of the reports of fights between the forces is false. There has not been an engagement any where yet and I do not think that there\nwill be soon as Congress (U. S.) does not meet until the 4th of July and they have the power to declare war, (not Lincoln.)","When the Federal Troops do invade the South they will find that the Southern Troops are well prepared and ready for a fight. The South has received 200000 stand of arms from Europe and plenty of material has been found in Arkansas to make powder. Richmond has five Cap manufacturers in operation fifty thousand percussion caps passed over the Baltimore and Ohio road to the South marked Garden Seeds last week. Just as I am writing a regiment went into a field to drill. Jo Neff is looking out of the window at them. J. says just look at them; G-d, ain't there a lot of them; don't that look like war; just suppose them were Federal Troops; if they were to fire, what a hole they would make; and fifty other expressions, you can imagine what they are like as you have heard him talk often. He has an oath about every other word. Tell Cousin Ann that Joe is well and sends his love.","Some time ago you said that is John Donald wanted some check shirts that you would make them for him. He says that he will be very much obliged to you for them as he has nothing but his white shirts. Tell father that he is getting real fat, and is as full of fun as ever. He sends his best respects. He also sends his respects to Jake Smith, and says to tell Jake that he would like to be in\nLexington to see John William. We have got the name of the being of the best company at the Ferry, and have the healthiest men and are able to stand more than any other company here. As we go along, the soldiers say there goes the Rockbridge Boys. I believe that we have done more than any two companies since we have been here. There are thirty men from Baltimore that want to join our company. They belong to the Baltimore Rifles. They cannot form a company of their own as there is not enough of them here and they say that they want to join Capt. Letcher's Company. I do not know whether we will take them or not.","Tell Cousin Sarah that I have received her letter and and will answer as soon as I can. I also received a letter from Tribbett(?) which I have not answered. Mrs. Dodd died in Winchester last Thursday (Robert Dodd's Mother) and was buried last Friday. Miss Lizzie Dodd says that she is going to send me another box of Cakes soon. Edward Norgrove sends his best respects to all of our family and says to tell his Mother that he is well and to give her his love. He was with the crowd that went to Opequon Bridge.","Tell Father not to pay for those things that I got the morning that we left Lexington, that they will be paid for out of the money that was appropriated by the county for equipping the Volunteers of Rockbridge. I got two pairs of drawers and two shirts at Switzer's. A pea jacket at Young's worth $2.75, and a pair of buckskin gloves at Capt. Bakers, a pair of boots at Tom Deaver's worth $6.50,\nand a silk handkerchief at George White's. We have got new Military Caps, (Grey) new canteens and new shirts since we have been here.","John and Sam Charlton send their best respects to our folks. John says to give Jake Smith his best respects. Bowyer sends his respects to Smith. George Chapin says to give his love to all of his folks and tell them that he is well.","Camp at Manassas 10 o'clock p.m. \nJuly 21st","Dear Mother, \nAccording to promise I will attempt to give you a faint description of what I witnessed since I left home. I got to Staunton about 12 o'clock on Friday night. I was very sick at Staunton and had to stay until this morning. I came down to this place today.","They have been fighting from sunrise until Sunset today. About 12000 of the Yankees were killed. Our loss is estimated at 3 or 4,000, our company fared rather badly. Asbury McClure was killed. He died in the arms of Sandy Gordon and James Gillock. Joel Neff, Jno Moody, Preston Davidson \u0026 Charley Rollins were wounded, and Miller was wounded mortally. Moody and Davidson were wounded in the shoulder. Charley was knocked down by a piece of shell and cut on the head, he is not hurt much just a small cut on his head, he is sitting by me laughing and talking now, it does not prevent him from going about at all, it will not unfit him for duty. Tom Rollins came out unhurt, Joe Neff is wounded in the hand. Tell Mrs. McCown that Mac came out unhurt. Our regiment drove the Yankees back at the point of the bayonet. Joe Neff knocked a Yankee's brains out with the butt of his gun.","I do not know whether any more of the company are hurt. I have not seen the main body of the company. Lieut. Lewis \u0026\nEdmondson are safe, also Horace Wallace. About 50,000 of the Yankees were engaged, about 30000 of our force. We took 6 pieces of Rifled Cannon. General Patterson has been taken prisoner.","I expect I will be home in 3 or 4 days. Capt. White's company were in the fight and none were killed as far as I can hear. Capt. White's Liberty Hall Vols. had one killed, Paxton, and 3 wounded. Bell of his company was mortally wounded. I have not seen Tom or Jerry Kelly. All of the Regulars of the Yankees were engaged today.","It is an awful sight to see the wounded and the dead. I supposed both sides will bury their dead tomorrow. I want to bring all of our wounded and dead home if I can. Our company was awfully cut up. The 2d South Carolina and 2d Mississippians were cut all to pieces.","Let Marion Parent read this letter and tell him it will have to answer for the one I promised to write. I will write tomorrow if I can.","Your affectionate Son, \nR. H. Campbell","Sam Charlton is safe \u0026 John is in Winchester.","HD'QRS U. S. Forces \nLexington, Va., July 5th, 1865","Gen'l Order, \nNo 1. \nI. In obedience to orders from Bvt. Maj. Gen'l Torbert commanding Army of the Shenandoah, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Post.  In the absence of civil law, all orders from these Hd'Qrs will be obeyed by citizens and soldiers alike.","II. On and after the publication of this order, no persons will be permitted to travel or promenade the streets after 12 o'clock (midnight).","III. No Soldiers will be permitted in town, upon any pretext whatever, after 5 o'clock P.M. -- Any one violating this paragraph will be arrested and Court-Martialed","IV. All negroes found upon the streets loitering about, without visible means of support, will be arrested and made go to work to earn a livelihood.","V. No person will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquors of any kind, except permission is granted by the Provost Marshal.  And under no pretence will liquor of any kind be sold or furnished to soldiers, or to persons who will furnish it to soldiers.  Any persons violating this paragraph will be subject to arrest, and their entire stock of liquors will be confiscated.","Wm. W. Stewart \nCol. Com'd'g"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCampbell and Varner family papers. Manuscript # 0282. Virginia Military Institute Archives\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Campbell and Varner family papers. Manuscript # 0282. Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAdditional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLetters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\nOther items in this collection include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily photographs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run.\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":["This  collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and documents of R. Henry Campbell and members of the Varner Family of Lexington, Virginia. The families are related through the marriage of Campbell's sister, Augusta, to Varner.","The collection includes Civil War letters of soldiers R. Henry Campbell (dated April-July, 1861) and Charles V. Varner (dated 1864-1865). The letters were written while they were serving with the Rockbridge Rifles (part of the 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginia Infantry regiments at various dates during the War). Significant topics in Campbell's letters include the unit's stay at Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the 1st Battle of Manassas (1st Bull Run).","Additional correspondence of R. Henry Campbell (dated 1864-1865) was written after he accepted a position in the Treasurer-Quartermaster office at VMI. This correspondence includes:\n A note (dated May 13, 1864) before the Battle of New Market A letter written on June 14 after Hunter's Raid from the cadet camp at Rope Ferry Letters describing life at VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, and life in wartime Richmond, including mention of the use of black troops \nOther items in this collection include:\n Two notebooks (circa 1861-1862 and 1864) that contain an early roster of Rockbridge rifles and a list of killed and wounded Family photographs A broadside (July 1865) concerning the occupation of Lexington by Union troops Family documents, including \"Rules for the Lexington Classical School\" (1845)","Written from Augusta County, Virginia. The letter regards being treated kindly by civilians and the march toward Harrisonburg, Virginia.","Written from Senandoah County, Virginia. Letter describes stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia and news that they are traveling to Winchester, Virginia.","Written from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards life and schedule in camp.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards an expected attack that did not occur.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards a Union sentiment among townspeople.","Written from Martinsburg, West Virginia. Letter regards general news and mentions that secessionist sentiment is increasing in town.","Written from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Letter regards general news, a burned bridge across the Opequon River, and no wages.","Written from Manassas, Virginia. Letter provides an account of the First Battle of Manassas/Battle of Bull Run."],"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_1d50d6a9584a5b1bf4b813102a258aa3\"\u003eManuscripts stacks and oversized case 2\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks and oversized case 2"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Campbell family","Varner family","Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Campbell family","Varner family","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898"],"famname_ssim":["Campbell family","Varner family"],"persname_ssim":["Varner, Charles V. (Charles Van Buren), 1838-1907","Varner, Andrew W. (Andrew Wallace), 1831-1910","Campbell, R. Henry (Robert Henry), ?-1870","Edmondson, James K., 1832-1898","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Stewart, William W., Colonel"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":9,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:13:02.393Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_364"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Charles M. Figgat collection","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThe collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_365.xml","title_ssm":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"title_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1870-1895"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1870-1895"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365"],"text":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365","Charles M. Figgat collection","Lexington (Va.) -- Banks and banking -- History","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)","There are no restrictions","The reward poster is avaliable online","Charles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses.","The collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens.","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","Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"collection_title_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"collection_ssim":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Lexington (Va.) -- Banks and banking -- History","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Banks and banking -- History","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"creator_ssim":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"creators_ssim":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"places_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Banks and banking -- History","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"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—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["12 items"],"extent_tesim":["12 items"],"date_range_isim":[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],"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/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/2447\"\u003eThe reward poster is avaliable online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Existence and Location of Copies"],"altformavail_tesim":["The reward poster is avaliable online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles M. Figgat collection. Manuscript # 0283. Virginia Military Institute Archives\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat collection. Manuscript # 0283. Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens."],"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_77f5881b4e5a24eed61b8b7b900e6b35\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"persname_ssim":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:08:51.630Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_365.xml","title_ssm":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"title_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1870-1895"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1870-1895"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365"],"text":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365","Charles M. Figgat collection","Lexington (Va.) -- Banks and banking -- History","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)","There are no restrictions","The reward poster is avaliable online","Charles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses.","The collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. Included is a reward notice distributed after Figgat fled, 10 cancelled checks from local banks (1870-1871) that bear Figgat's signature, and one petition to the Lexington school trustees endorsing Jacob Fuller for a teaching position, signed by Figgat and other citizens.","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","Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0283","/repositories/3/resources/365"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Charles M. Figgat collection"],"collection_title_tesim":["Charles M. 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Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Banks and banking—Lexington (Va.)"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["12 items"],"extent_tesim":["12 items"],"date_range_isim":[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],"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/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/2447\"\u003eThe reward poster is avaliable online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Existence and Location of Copies"],"altformavail_tesim":["The reward poster is avaliable online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat was the cashier at the Bank of Lexington who embezzled over $145,000 and fled on February 14, 1895. Figgat's actions forced the closure of the bank and adversely affected the local economy. VMI incurred significant losses."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCharles M. Figgat collection. Manuscript # 0283. Virginia Military Institute Archives\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Charles M. Figgat collection. Manuscript # 0283. Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection consists of items related to Charles M. Figgat, who embezzled over $145,000 from the bank of Lexington, Virginia in 1895. 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Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_77f5881b4e5a24eed61b8b7b900e6b35\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"persname_ssim":["Figgat, Charles M. (Charles Miles), ?-1899"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:08:51.630Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_365"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Giles Gunn papers","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVMI commencement\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReferences to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.\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_615#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_615.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00030.xml","title_ssm":["Giles Gunn papers"],"title_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1848-1854"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1848-1854"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615"],"text":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615","Giles Gunn papers","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence","There are no restrictions.","This collection is available online","Giles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. ","By 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. ","Gunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed.","Lexington, VA \nJuly 8th, 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. ","You are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.","I suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  ","Last Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.","My knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. ","I have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. ","I have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word. \nFrom your brother, \nGiles Gunn","Westwood, Lexington, Va \nSunday, Aug 13th 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  ","There was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.","Give my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly. \nFrom your brother \nGiles Gunn","Lexington, Va \nMarch 15th, 1850","Dear Mary and Susan, \nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget \nGiles","[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page] \nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write","Lexington, Va \nJan 6th 1851","Dear Mary \nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  ","They had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  ","\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  ","How does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.","Ellen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?","There is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  ","Give my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell. \nGod's blessings attend you \nFrom your brother \nG. Gunn","Dear Molly, \nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.","1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.","2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  ","The people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.","They were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.","Two weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  ","I reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).","If mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.","Where is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.","I shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  ","Give me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news. \nYour brother \nGiles Gunn","PS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse \n(Don't you believe that-Virge)","This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n VMI commencement A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student.","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","Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Giles Gunn papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"collection_ssim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creator_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creators_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"places_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"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."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The Giles Gunn papers were donated to the Virginia\n            Military Institute in 1933 by Mary Maigret, Gunn's\n            niece."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["5 items"],"extent_tesim":["5 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854],"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/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/1153\"\u003eThis collection is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["This collection is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGiles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBy 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Giles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. ","By 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. ","Gunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 8th, 1848\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister Mary,\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word.\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother,\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWestwood, Lexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday, Aug 13th 1848\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister Mary,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly.\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nMarch 15th, 1850\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mary and Susan,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page]\u003cbr\u003e\nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nJan 6th 1851\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mary\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEllen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod's blessings attend you\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother\u003cbr\u003e\nG. Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDear Molly,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour brother\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse\u003cbr\u003e\n(Don't you believe that-Virge)\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Lexington, VA \nJuly 8th, 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. ","You are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.","I suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  ","Last Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.","My knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. ","I have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. ","I have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word. \nFrom your brother, \nGiles Gunn","Westwood, Lexington, Va \nSunday, Aug 13th 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  ","There was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.","Give my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly. \nFrom your brother \nGiles Gunn","Lexington, Va \nMarch 15th, 1850","Dear Mary and Susan, \nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget \nGiles","[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page] \nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write","Lexington, Va \nJan 6th 1851","Dear Mary \nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  ","They had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  ","\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  ","How does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.","Ellen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?","There is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  ","Give my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell. \nGod's blessings attend you \nFrom your brother \nG. Gunn","Dear Molly, \nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.","1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.","2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  ","The people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.","They were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.","Two weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  ","I reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).","If mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.","Where is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.","I shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  ","Give me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news. \nYour brother \nGiles Gunn","PS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse \n(Don't you believe that-Virge)"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGiles Gunn papers, MS 0292, Virginia Military\n            Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers, MS 0292, Virginia Military\n            Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVMI commencement\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReferences to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n VMI commencement A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student."],"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_4b69e904f0eac0cc1658da5c7475032f\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854"],"persname_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":5,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:10:09.980Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_615.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00030.xml","title_ssm":["Giles Gunn papers"],"title_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1848-1854"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1848-1854"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615"],"text":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615","Giles Gunn papers","Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century","Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence","There are no restrictions.","This collection is available online","Giles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. ","By 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. ","Gunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed.","Lexington, VA \nJuly 8th, 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. ","You are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.","I suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  ","Last Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.","My knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. ","I have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. ","I have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word. \nFrom your brother, \nGiles Gunn","Westwood, Lexington, Va \nSunday, Aug 13th 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  ","There was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.","Give my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly. \nFrom your brother \nGiles Gunn","Lexington, Va \nMarch 15th, 1850","Dear Mary and Susan, \nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget \nGiles","[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page] \nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write","Lexington, Va \nJan 6th 1851","Dear Mary \nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  ","They had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  ","\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  ","How does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.","Ellen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?","There is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  ","Give my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell. \nGod's blessings attend you \nFrom your brother \nG. Gunn","Dear Molly, \nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.","1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.","2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  ","The people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.","They were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.","Two weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  ","I reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).","If mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.","Where is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.","I shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  ","Give me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news. \nYour brother \nGiles Gunn","PS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse \n(Don't you believe that-Virge)","This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n VMI commencement A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student.","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","Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0292","/repositories/3/resources/615"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Giles Gunn papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"collection_ssim":["Giles Gunn papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"geogname_ssm":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creator_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"creators_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892"],"places_ssim":["Lexington (Va.) -- Schools -- 19th century"],"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."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The Giles Gunn papers were donated to the Virginia\n            Military Institute in 1933 by Mary Maigret, Gunn's\n            niece."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Lexington (Va.)—History","Virginia Military Institute—Band—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1840-1849","Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century","Lexington (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1850-1859","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["5 items"],"extent_tesim":["5 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854],"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/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/1153\"\u003eThis collection is available online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["This collection is available online"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGiles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBy 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Giles Gunn was born on December 19, 1825 in Connecticut, most likely in Washington, Litchfield County. He was the son of John Northrup Gunn, Jr. (1798-1883) and Lora Smith (1800-1841), who were married on June 16, 1819. ","By 1848, Gunn was working as a teacher in Lexington, Virginia, where he married Virginia W. Morrison of Rockbridge County on December 19, 1859. Birth records indicate that the couple had several children, all born in Rockbridge: Lora (1860-?), Johnella (1871-?), Effa (or Effie) (1875-?), Fred (187?-?). This listing of children may not be complete. ","Gunn died on November 24, 1892. No other biographical information was available at the time the collection was processed."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 8th, 1848\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister Mary,\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word.\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother,\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWestwood, Lexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday, Aug 13th 1848\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Sister Mary,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly.\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nMarch 15th, 1850\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mary and Susan,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page]\u003cbr\u003e\nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLexington, Va\u003cbr\u003e\nJan 6th 1851\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Mary\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEllen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod's blessings attend you\u003cbr\u003e\nFrom your brother\u003cbr\u003e\nG. Gunn\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDear Molly,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour brother\u003cbr\u003e\nGiles Gunn\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse\u003cbr\u003e\n(Don't you believe that-Virge)\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Lexington, VA \nJuly 8th, 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nHaving a few spare moments I will improve them by commencing a letter to you and if I get it begun I know that I shall finish it some time or other. ","You are at school I suppose taking in learning in junks as big as my fist and then to settle it go home and trot little May on your knee. Wa'll there is nothing like improvement \"go it while you are young\", if I could live over my life again I would study and no mistake. Oliver is well or was last Sunday he was down here and as fine as a new band boy, it would make you laugh and no mistake to see him try to drink buttermilk. The people here use that as \"the drink\" as much as we do water, if you should drop into where he is about noon, you would find him seated on a stump with what is call a \"corn dogger\" in his hand that is made of indian meal wet up with water and baked in the ashes and is his other  hand a gourd of buttermilk that is as thick as ice cream, on this he is growing fat, it is enough to make any one grin their eye teeth out, to see what a pretty face he makes as he devours this tempting feast. He looks as though he would have \"snake and mild\" that father used to tell of before it.","I suppose that you are all well. It is healthy here I have not heard of half a dozen deaths since I have been round here. The farmers have all finished harvest and never was better weather but it has rained now two days and looks as though it meant to keep it up.  ","Last Tuesday was the fourth of July. I left out school and went into town. It was commencement day at the Virginia Military Institute and the Governor of the State was there to sign the diplomas attended by the State Brass Band.  The cadets marched from the Institute which is about half of a mile from the town preceded by the band which consisted of about a dozen old rusty looking fellows that blew a soul stirring march with fury enough to wake the dead and make live ones hold their ears. The cadets were about 90 in number dressed in gray coats with skirts about as wide as my hand an 8 inches long and white pants, they are a good looking company and after going through with their evolutions they marched into the meeting house then the cadets made several speeches in praise of war of the institute telling what her sons had done on the plains of Mexico and with what pride the people ought to cherish it.  After they were all through, Gov. Smith was introduced.  He was received with much applause and with many bows commenced. He was just about as venerable looking a man as Uncle Gersham  Finn. He said \"that he was happy to be called upon to give advice to young men like them just entering upon life and the first thing that he wished them to do was to hope for a bright day for tomorrow. The next thing that he advised them to do was to get married no young man could be any thing till he was married.  He never heard of a smart man that was a bachelor, (never heard of John Randolph) never knew of a quarrel to take place between a man and a woman but the man was to blame.  He had lived a long life and was capable of giving advice to young men as a father to his children. There was two books that he would recommend to all young men The first was the Bible, the next Shakespeare, all young men should read and profit by both\" and so he went on in a regular stirring speech praising the ladies then telling the young men they must not try to win them by flattery for they were rational beings and despised flattery. He went into the praise of Va, he said that while other states were progressing in dollars Va was progressing in the mind, and so he went on in a soul stirring amid cheers that were deafening. This was my first sight of a real Gov. and it did not give me a very good opinion of the race.","My knife is just about as good as a tool one would be.  Tell father if he will send by Orve Platt to Litchfield and get one of the Holleys pen knives I will pay him for his trouble, get on about the size of this if he can. If he can find more of Holleys send me a good hard one of somebodies that is sharp to begin with and I will send him another dollar as soon as I receive it. ","I have got some flower seeds and will send them one of these days, my school is half out and then I don't know what I shall do, whether I shall come home or stay, or\nThere is no news stirring here not so much as a weeding, it is too hot even for that. Give my love to all and write soon, have you heard anything of Julia yet and where is she, I expect a letter from home at the office if it is there I will put a mark on the outside of this to let you know it is rec'd. ","I have not got a letter from Mrs. Garnett yet if she has written send no word. \nFrom your brother, \nGiles Gunn","Westwood, Lexington, Va \nSunday, Aug 13th 1848","Dear Sister Mary, \nYour letter came to hand a week ago but I have not had time to answer it till now. I got one from Father last night dated the first day of Aug. I can't see why they are so long coming through; some of the time they have got to me in four days from the time they are dated. There is not much news stirring in these parts, mighty still time. About eight miles from here is a sacrament (quite a rare thing in this country) today, I had intended to go but as it is rainy I shall stay at home. You would like to see them partake. A table is made in front of the pulpit and all that can get round it set down, then the minister at the head of the table cuts the bread, and blesses it, and gives it to another priest who takes it on one side of the table and passes it to each person and says \"may this emblem of the dying savior be blessed to your sanctification\", thus a minister on each side of the table goes through with his ceremony and the same motions over the blood, on wine then the head priest gives a short exhortation and a  prayer and these rise and make room for another table full thus they go it till all have had a bite then they call upon the colored brethren, on past of the ministers do to come down out of the gallery. In some of the churches they climb up to the gallery by a ladder on the outside and go in at the window Monday Night Oliver and Loveridge came here just after I begun to write as I had to put it off. Oliver sends his best love to all and to you in particular. The Doctor that I board with has sold his place and the new owner has moved on; he has six children. The two oldest girls, one eighteen and the other sixteen. They have a piano and are just thundering at it all of the time. They made just about as much music as the cow that Ralph Smith had. The house is a large one, but for all that we are thick as three in a bed. There are thirty three in all black and white in the establishment for the kitchen is a part of the house. I am going to the mountains in a few weeks to hunt for deer and I expect I will have some fun.  ","There was a sale here the other day of the Doctor's goods and the way the liquor flew want to be beat. The raw material was set before them by the pail full and two thirds of those assembled went home scarcely able to set on their horse. Is all that spree of marrying over. I was coming home expecting to find Lev All, Sam Hollister, John Hine, Jim Mitchen with a baby on each knee and rocking a cradle with each foot, if they don't look out their day of grace will soon be over. If Uncle Andrew don't get married now he has got to quit having his sprees. If the boys had any life they would plague him till he would butt his brains out against a pumpkin or leave the world and climb a tree. If the girls are all engaged let me know and I will look out elsewhere as I have no doubt the best fish are yet to be caught.\n    \nYou would probably like to know how Oliver looks. I will give you his appearance as he looked when he retuned from preaching yesterday. His hair is long and black, his whiskers as black as a coal, his long mustaches black as you please, give him quite a dignified appearance. He has grown taller than he was last fall and his belly shows the effects of buttermilk and its rising qualities. It puts one in mind of a toad that has just swallowed a snake. I tell him that he will crack open like Gid Hollister's sheep and let the tallow out, if he don't refrain from the use of buttermilk as a beverage tea totally and entirely.  You must write as soon as you get this, as the Lord only knows whether I shall stay round here and longer than this quarter and I hardly believe he does for I alter my mind so often. Tell Aunt Amarilli's that she must not entirely forget the Yankee boys in the Old Dominion. That she must take time to give us a few lines of motherly advice as now is the time that we need it. I often think of her and her counsel and if I was religious I would put up a prayer for her but as I am not I will send my love. Also a huge slice to little Albie with half a dozen kisses.","Give my love to all my kith and kiss and make a bow to deacon Albernatha for me the first time you see him. Tell Mrs. Garret that I am well and I hope she is the same. I shall answer Father's letter in about a week. Tell him to have his pen sharpened as to answer instantly. \nFrom your brother \nGiles Gunn","Lexington, Va \nMarch 15th, 1850","Dear Mary and Susan, \nYour letter has been on hand over a week but if you do not get time to write when you go to school. What do you think of a poor fellow who has the charge of a school and you want to know what I am doing? Well not much of any thing.  In the morning I go to the school house about eight o'clock at half past I commence school. Then comes hearing lessons that they have had to learn over night. This is the first thing and it generally takes me about an hour and a half for I have all the lessons learned out of school. After I get through with this I hear them all read then I have a class in Arithmetic after that I spell and then it is noon. In the afternoon I hear them read all round. Then I have a class in passing then a class in arithmetic and spell and get through about five. Though in the time I have two recesses of half an hour and a noon spell of an hour and a half. The history of one day is the history of every day for it is always necessary to have the work go on as regular as clock work and that makes the children regular. Mary if you go to teaching school begin right at first make them know that you are the master. If any thing comes up that you don't know never let the scholars see that you are at a loss. Give your opinion freely and if they show you a book different declare that you are right and the book wrong. If I was you I would never whip unless absolutely necessary, make them set on the floor it hurts a great deal worse than whipping if they refuse to some do not tell them half a dozen times but take them by the hair and drop them one or two [?] in this way will be a lesson, that the whole school will remember. Never threaten without performing. Always be regular. Follow these rules so far as you go and they will reach and you need have no fear of succeeding. Explain your lessons as much as you can, for you can learn as much in one day by talking it to the as they will learn in a week from the book.  Get ambition in your school by some means. I have not a scholar in school but if they get down in the class they will cry and I have some grown. Always make it a practice to review once a week all they have learned that week and once a month for the month. Susan what do you intend to do this summer? You said nothing about your prospects. I have been almost sorry that I came home last summer, if I had not I would come this and go to school to Uncle Fred. I would like to study surveying and some other things. You should have wrapped your flower seeds in something if they were in the letter when I got it for I lost them out in the dirt as I opened it as I walked along. I hope by this time Aunt Amarilis and Don will be well. Since I wrote to father two have died right close to my schoolhouse and three more have been taken sick. I am up watching almost every night for everybody round here are afraid of the fever. In some of the houses there is no once goes in through the week but the Dr. and me.  How is Louis now. You must both of you write to me so soon as you can and let me know what is going on for I have no correspondent in Washington except at home. How many scholars have Uncle Fred. Send me some more seeds if you can find any but wrap them up better. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Father that I received two newspapers from him this week for which he has my thanks.  Has Oliver got around there yet? Write soon. Be good girls and don't forget \nGiles","[Hand-written upside down at the top of this page] \nDo not read Sam's letter but see how he likes it and tell me the next time you write","Lexington, Va \nJan 6th 1851","Dear Mary \nYour letter was duly received about a week ago and as it was in Christmas times I think I shall be excusable that I did not answer it sooner. I have let out school 8 days for Christmas holidays and tomorrow morning I shall again commence beating the brats. I have got almost tired of the business and think this is the last winter I shall work at it in this country.  ","They had a monstrous fuss round here the other day. A letter was found in the road \"purporting to be from one niggar to another holding forth that on such a night they were to rise. 300 men were to attack the Military Institute and get possession of the 20,000 stand of arms in the arsenal there. Then they were to walk into the city of Lexington killing all they could get hold of\". You had better believe that it made some stir.  he  militia was called out and they now parade the streets from night to morning It is curious how quick the people of this country can be roused to a state of watchfulness for their all depends upon this. The blacks must have no chance to make a beginning and they know this. I think the letter was a hoax written by some one to see what they could do, but if it was written by a niggar, it was by some one who knew the state of things at the Institute well and if their plans had succeeded it would have been right hard to stop.  ","\nI has been right dull times this Christmas not more than three or four frolicks all the times I wish I could drop in there and see how you all look but I do not think you would any of you know me. I have altered a good deal in the last six months.  ","How does Uncle Sherman and Sam do this winter? Do you like to live there? How is Aunt Jennette heal and all of Uncle Truman's folks? How is Grandfather's folks? All well and how does he stand the times? I meant to write a letter to Father before this time but there is nothing going on here that will interest him when there is I shall write to him.  \n    \nTell Susan that I want her to write to me, and I will answer it, but if she don't write soon I will get mad and write a long one to her.","Ellen I suppose is still in New Preston and Oliver is peddling. How does Sam do this winter and is he going to school? Has Father got all of his thrashing done and h9ow is his health?","There is nothing new to write about here so what is the use of writing.  ","Give my love to all inquiring friends let me know all the news at home when you write. Farewell. \nGod's blessings attend you \nFrom your brother \nG. Gunn","Dear Molly, \nI have received your letter this very day and am determined for once to toe the mark. I have just seated myself and if I don't get to tired I intend to give you and Sue a piece of my mind even if it be a very small broken piece.","1stly I am still pedagoguing and I tell you it goes mightily against the grain such a day as today for it is one of the pleasantest days I ever knew. The thermometer at noon was nearly up to summer heat at noon and I had no fire in the schoolhouse. My school consists of about forty scholars most of them large boys some of them taller than I am. I have enjoyed myself first rate so far especially in bad weather but when it is fine I intend to do the best I can but I long to be out aboard of the old pump wagon scouring the country. It gives a person a chance to see the world and though it may make me wild now when I come to settle down, I shall put on as long a face as I deacon.","2ndly. Ol. (though I had ought to have put him first) is now in Randolph County which is about one hundred and fifty miles west or northwest from here. He has been gone now about three weeks and I do not much expect him back before the middle or last of March. It is a great region there for pumps. I intend to go there as soon as my school is out and shall probably be there off and on the greater part of the summer.  ","The people around here are getting up to murdering. Last August in Staunton a man was found dead in his bed with his head staved in with a hammer. In December they hung a man for it and he died protesting his innocence; day after tomorrow they are to hang another man as his accomplice who as yet declares himself innocent.","They were both convicted by another man who turned states evidence; and it is now the  general opinion that he did the deed himself.","Two weeks last Sunday was noted in Lexington for a tragedy worse than that. It seems that a young man by the name of Christian had engaged the company of a young lady to go to preaching. She was advised not to go with him by a cousin of hers, a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Christian (who was a law student) found out who it was and prepared himself with weapons and on Sunday night waited till he saw Blackburn the Cadet come into the church with a lady then he stepped up and touched him requesting to say a word to him. He took him out into the street and by his tale demanded of him to retract what he had said upon Blackburn's refusing so to do he let in on him and before any one could interfere had stabbed him in several places and cut his throat from ear to ear with a bowie knife and killed him so dead that he never kicked. Christian then went and delivered himself up to the authorities and it is now the general opinion that he will get clear as the prosecution was so great. You see how nice a sense of humor the southerners have. In law here if our man calls another a liar and he beats him almost to death for it the law does nothing with him for it is considered sufficient provocation.  ","I reckon you have heard enough about murders if not I could tell you of some half dozen more that have happened in this region during the last six week. I do not expect I will come home this summer. I wish you were here to take my school when it is out. Virge says \"do tell her to come down here and I will go back with her when she wants to go\". Hess is not at home but will be next Saturday (if I can get time to go after her).","If mother has that carnation rooted if she will send it over to John's he will attend to it and give it to Bob Dunlap before he come home.\n    \nI bought a cooking stove for Mr. Morrison in NY last August and last week it got here. If you want to come on here you can come with Bob. I know he will take good care of you.","Where is Father going to plant and how is his health?  Have you had much cold weather this winter? Give my best love to Father and Mother and Sam and tell Sam I want to hear from him before long.","I shall write to Jen as often as you write to me whilst I am teaching school but farther than that I can't answer for. Ol was down to Bransons during Christmas they were all well.  ","Give me love to Louis if you are still up there. My candle is out. Write soon and give me all your news. \nYour brother \nGiles Gunn","PS Virge says tell him I am wearing carpet as strong as a horse \n(Don't you believe that-Virge)"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGiles Gunn papers, MS 0292, Virginia Military\n            Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Giles Gunn papers, MS 0292, Virginia Military\n            Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVMI commencement\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReferences to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection consists of five letters (dated 1848 to 1854) written by Giles Gunn while he was a schoolteacher in Lexington, Virginia. The letters, addressed primarily to his sister Mary (living at the Gunn home in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut), include discussions of interesting local events as well as references to family. Topics include:\n VMI commencement A detailed description of his school and his methods of instruction A description of the communion service at a local church, including references to black communicants References to the townspeople's reaction to a rumored slave insurrection A discussion of the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards commencement at the VMI and a speech by the governor of Virginia.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter describes communion at a local church.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a detailed description of teaching at the local school, including a discussion of the curriculum and his discipline methods.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Letter includes a description of the town's response to rumors of a slave insurrection.","Written from Lexington, Virginia. Topics include the murder of VMI cadet Thomas Blackburn by Charles B. Christian, a local law student."],"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_4b69e904f0eac0cc1658da5c7475032f\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854"],"persname_ssim":["Gunn, Giles, 1825-1892","Blackburn, Thomas, 1834-1854","Christian, Charles B. (Charles Burks)"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":5,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:10:09.980Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_615"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Virginia Military Institute Archives","value":"Virginia Military Institute Archives","hits":3},"links":{"remove":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Bplaces%5D%5B%5D=Lexington+%28Va.%29+--+Schools+--+19th+century\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Bplaces%5D%5B%5D=Lexington+%28Va.%29+--+Schools+--+19th+century\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Campbell and Varner family papers","value":"Campbell and Varner family papers","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Campbell+and+Varner+family+papers\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Bplaces%5D%5B%5D=Lexington+%28Va.%29+--+Schools+--+19th+century\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Virginia+Military+Institute+Archives"}},{"attributes":{"label":"Charles M. 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