Charles A. Derby papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions

Terms of access:

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 not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Charles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box
Creator:
Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Charles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

The papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell ("Mollie") and her husband, Samuel. Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family documents.

Biographical / historical:

Charles A. Derby was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828 to Perry L. Derby and Martha Jones. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered VMI on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.

Following his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850s. His various positions included:

  • Private tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia
  • Head of the Fairfax (Virginia) Academy
  • Head of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama
  • Professor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia
  • Principal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama
In 1856-1857, Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.

Derby married twice during the 1850s. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of their marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama and the couple had two daughters, Martha (October 1860-?) and Harriet (April 1862-February 1927).

A year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, Alabama circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1862 and his body was not recovered.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 1