William H. and Sarah McDowell Correspondence

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 H. and Sarah McDowell Correspondence, 1862, 1865, Ms2022-037, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
McDowell, Sarah and McDowell, William H.
Abstract:
This collection contains two 1862 letters from William H. McDowell to his wife, Sarah McDowell, and a February 1865 letter from Sarah to her husband. The letters from William to Sarah were written on October 1 and October 3, 1862, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, while serving in the American Civil War. He describes camp life and food, Confederate and Union pickets sharing news and whiskey, and impending troop movements. The letter from Sarah to her husband dates to February 1865 and contains news of the war, its destruction in Danville (such as fires and thefts), and her hope that the war will end soon.
Language:
The materials in this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William H. and Sarah McDowell Correspondence, 1862, 1865, Ms2022-037, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains two 1862 letters from William H. McDowell to his wife, Sarah McDowell, and a February 1865 letter from Sarah to her husband. The letters from William to Sarah were written on October 1 and October 3, 1862, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, while serving in the American Civil War. He describes camp life and food, Confederate and Union pickets sharing news and whiskey, and impending troop movements. The letter from Sarah to her husband dates to February 1865 and contains news of the war, its destruction in Danville (such as fires and thefts), and her hope that the war will end soon.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in October 2013.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William H. and Sarah McDowell Correspondence was completed in August 2022.