William L. Colley 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:

Permission to publish material from William L. Colley Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: William L. Colley Letter, Ms2018-007, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 Folder and 0.1 Cubic Feet 1 Folder
Creator:
Colley, William L. (William Lewis) (45th Regiment, Virgina Infanry/1st Virginia Cavalry)
Abstract:
Letter from William Lewis Colley to sister, written from a hospital around Winchester, VA, September 3d, 1861. In the letter Colley describes how he accidentally shot off his little finger on his left hand while on picket duty on Millwood Pike near the Opequon River four miles from Winchester.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: William L. Colley Letter, Ms2018-007, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a letter from William Lewis Colley written from a hospital around Winchester, VA, September 3d, 1861, to his sister. In the letter, Colley describes how he accidentally shot off his little finger on his left hand while on picket duty on Millwood Pike near the Opequon River four miles from Winchester. The letter is very descriptive of the injury to his finger and exactly which joints and bones were affected. Colley also related how Federal troops advanced toward them only to fall back. Colley believed he would get a furlough on account of his wound but did not want to stay at the hospital but would return to his regiment. He tells his sister that he would stay with a Capt Preston, quartermaster of the 37th VA Regiment.

Acquisition information:
The William L. Colley Letter was purchased by Special Collections in November 2014.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William L. Colley Letter was completed in September, 2018.