George J. Whitman Letters

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George J. Whitman Letters, Ms1988-084, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Whitman, George J.
Abstract:
Three letters from George J. Whitman, of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, written to his wife.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George J. Whitman Letters, Ms1988-084, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains three letters written by George J. Whitman, of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, during the Civil War. The letters, written to Whitman's wife Ruth, focus largely on personal matters. Whitman provides instruction on managing their personal financial/legal affairs and having work done on their farm but eventually concedes the impracticality of his long-distance advice, writing, "[Y]ou must do with things as you think best I leeve evrything in your care and what you think best to do with our thinges you moust do it dont wate to aske my advise about it becaus you no that it takes so long to get leters from home ..." Elsewhere, Whitman defends his decision not to request a discharge: "[Y]ou no that I can do beter hear torge geting a living than I can to work a farm ... you dont want me to make a hog of my self think I had or to do some duty fore our counery fore what I have had you no that our countery needs all that can be spared ..."

Biographical / historical:

George J. Whitman, son of Peter and Sarah Bennett Whitman, was born in West Bainbridge (Chenango County), New York, on April 2, 1834. He married Ruth Hackett (1834-1918), and the couple would have six children. During the American Civil War, Whitman served in Company L, 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry; Company G, 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry, and 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. (Note: his name is recorded in pension records as George J. Whiteman.) By 1870, the Whitmans were living and farming in Potter County, Pennsylvania. George J. Whitman died in Pennsylvania on February 6, 1917, and was buried in Ulysses Cemetery, Ulysses (Potter County), Pennsylvania.

Acquisition information:
The George J. Whitman Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the George J. Whitman Letters commenced and was completed in May, 2021.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard