William J. Black Diary 1864-1865

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 of the one volume diary of Confederate soldier William J. Black. The diary entries date from October 1864 - January 1865, written while Black was serving in Captain John J. Shoemaker's Company, Virginia Horse Artillery. Included are brief accounts of various skirmishes and the Battle of Cedar Creek; campsites and positions are recorded daily. Following the diary entries are copies of two of Shoemaker's reports detailing Battery activities, dated September 1, 1864 (covering the period May - August) and December 25, 1864 (covering the period September - Dec 25). The volume also contains Black's Virginia Military Institute account book, listing expenses incurred while a cadet (1862-1864) prior to joining Confederate Army.

Biographical / historical:

William Johnson Black was born at Lynchburg, Virginia on August 2, 1845. He was the son of Allen J. Black and Mary Haythe, both of Campbell County, VA. Black entered the Virginia Military Institute in 1862 and resigned in 1864 to join the Confederate Army. He served in Captain John J. Shoemaker's Battery (Breathed's Battalion, Stuart Horse Artillery). Following the Civil War he was in the express company business in Lynchburg, Virginia. He married Virginia Price on March 5, 1871 and the couple had two children (Charles and E. Stockton). Black died at the Confederate Soldiers' Home in Richmond, Virginia on January 24, 1935.

Physical description:
The collection consists of one item.