Elisha Franklin Paxton papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers (WLU Coll. 0273), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet 1 box
Creator:
Paxton, Elisha Franklin, Paxton, Elizabeth White, Paxton, Matthew W., 1857-1935, and Paxton, Robert Owen, Dr.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers (WLU Coll. 0273), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Elisha Franklin Paxton Papers are comprised primarily of the personal correspondences, business and military papers of Elisha F. Paxton between 1845-1863. The core of the personal letters are written from Paxton to his wife Elizabeth White Paxton during their courtship in the 1850s and during the American Civil War, 1861-1863, while he served as an officer in the Confederate States Army's 27th Virginia Infantry, a member of the staff of General Stonewall Jackson, and general in command of the Stonewall Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. There are numerous items in this collection pertaining to his death including obituaries, recollections and reflections of his life and character. Other letter writers include his brother James Gallatin Paxton, Matthew White, Samuel F. Jordan, James G. Hamilton, William A. Glasgow, and William McCorkle, each from or connected to Rockbridge County. Other highlights of the collection include various reports written by Paxton as a member of Lexington's Franklin Society and Library Company which shed light on his perspectives on topics such as Secession. There is also a printed broadside for the sale of land at Rockbridge Baths, Virginia, in 1860.

Biographical / historical:

Elisha Franklin Paxton was born on March 28, 1828 in Rockbridge County, Virginia to Elisha Paxton and Margaret "Peggy" McNutt Paxton. He graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in 1843 and studied law at the University of Virginia. He practiced law in Ohio before marrying Elizabeth Hannah White in 1854 and moving back to Lexington.

Paxton was an officer in the Rockbridge Rifles, a Rockbridge County (Va.) militia company formed in the wake of John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry, Va. in 1859. He was a strong proponent of secession and when Virginia voted to exit the Union in the spring of 1861, Paxton marched to war as an officer with the Rockbridge Rifles company. The company became attached to the 27th Virginia Infantry, later a part of Stonewall Jackson's Brigade. Paxton, ascended the ranks ultimately achieving full command of the Stonewall Brigade as a brigadier general. He was killed on May 3, 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville (Va.).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Matthew White, Jr. and Robert O. Paxton.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard