Francis M. Boykin Papers, 1861

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

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists Civil War papers (8 items, all dated 1861), including two commission documents, extracts from orders, a letter from Governor John Letcher ordering Boykin to proceed to Grafton and communicate with Col. Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall), one letter bearing the signature of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Biographical / historical:

Francis Marshall Boykin was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia on March 1, 1837. His ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and his father, General Francis Boykin, was a member of the Virginia Senate. Boykin entered the Virginia Military Institute in July 1853 and graduated in 1856. He engaged in teaching until 1861. During the Civil War, he served as a Lt. Colonel in the 31st Virginia Infantry Regiment. Boykin served throughout the war and was briefly imprisoned at Johnson's Island. After the war, he was in the tobacco business in Richmond, Virginia. Boykin married Ellen B. George, and they had three children (Hamilton, Anna, Ellen). He died on May 5, 1906 in Richmond.

Arrangement:

The items are arranged in chronological order.

Physical description:
The collection consists of 8 items.