William C. White Letter

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 for 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], William C. White Letter, Ms1989-098, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
White, William C.
Abstract:
Letter from William C. White of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War, written to his parents, noting the desertion of several from his company due to the lack of whiskey, the availability of fresh bread, and the "awful price" charged by the sutler.
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], William C. White Letter, Ms1989-098, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single letter written by William C. White of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War. Written at Camp Monocacy on November 20, 1861, the letter is addressed to White's parents. "We are not much afraid of the rebel pickets but they are afraid of us," White writes. "[I]f they see one of us they dodge behind a tree if they did fire on us they would not do no harm as we have rifle pits all along the potomac." White writes that it is not so easy to take "french leave" (i.e., desert), due to the many patrols near camp, but he adds that "about 15 deserted out of our company because they could not get no whiskey about here as they are all whiskey bummers and we are glad to get rid of them ..." He predicts that the regiment will remain in place for the winter and notes that they are building ovens and having fresh bread every day. White reports that they can buy anything they need from the sutler, including pies and cakes, but at "an awful price." He then asks his parents to send him some raisin bread and looks forward to receiving stockings and mittens from home. At least one page of the letter appears to be missing.

Biographical / historical:

William C. White, son of Maurice and Elizabeth White, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1843. By 1860, according to the federal census, the Whites were living in the East District of Philadelphia's 10th Ward, where 17-year-old William was employed as a lithographer. White enlisted in Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 19, 1861. He was promoted to corporal on October 1, 1862, and to sergeant on February 1, 1863. He mustered out upon completion of three years' service, on August 27, 1864. The 1880 federal census lists a 38-year-old driver named William White among the boarders in the home of Annie Gassbein on Filbert Street, Philadelphia. William C. White, veteran of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, appears in the 1890 federal census of Union veterans as a resident of 1629 Filbert Street. William C. White died in Philadelphia on January 7, 1893, and was buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Acquisition information:
The William C. White Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the William C. White Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard