Sarah Jane Lough Civil War Letter regarding Confederate Activity in Morgantown

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Sarah Jane Lough Civil War Letter regarding Confederate Activity in Morgantown, A&M 0672, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Feet 4 pages (1 folder)
Creator:
Lough, Sarah Jane
Abstract:
Letter dated 3 May 1863, written by Sarah Jane Lough of Morgantown, (West) Virginia to her brother Elza T. Lough, a private in the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Lough reports the entry of Confederate troops into Morgantown on 27 April 1863 and the Confederates' activities in the Morgantown and Fairmont areas during the following week. Subjects of note include the taking of horses and other property; a skirmish at Fairmont; spies passing through the town; and detailed accounts of various interactions between locals and Confederates. The collection includes a transcript and user copies. See "Scope and Content Note" and "Historical Note" for further information.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Sarah Jane Lough Civil War Letter regarding Confederate Activity in Morgantown, A&M 0672, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Letter dated 3 May 1863, written by Sarah Jane Lough of Morgantown, (West) Virginia to her brother Elza T. Lough, a private in the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, who was stationed in Winchester, Virginia. Lough reports the entry of Confederate troops into Morgantown on 27 April 1863. That day was a court day and thus more people were in town than was usual. Lough writes of how many people fled town before the Confederates arrived, so many that "the bridge was full from end to end as they passed".

She also writes in detail regarding the Confederates stealing horses belonging to Morgantown residents, including the number and kind of horses taken, descriptions of the circumstances, and the names of the parties involved. Despite the attempts of locals to hide their horses, Lough writes that a great number were taken, not just from Morgantown, but from the surrounding area as well. Lough furthermore reports on taking of other property, the burning of houses, the Confederate's attempt at burning the bridge, and civilian casualties.

Lough writes about the reports brought back by her male relatives and acquaintances, including information regarding Confederate troop activities in Fairmont, most notably a skirmish with Union troops there. Lough also writes that several suspected spies passed through Morgantown during the week. Lastly, she complains to her brother that the family has not had a letter from him recently and asks that he write back immediately on receiving her letter.

Biographical / historical:

The Confederate entry into Morgantown on 27 April 1863 was part of the Jones-Imboden Raid. The Confederate troops involved were under the command of Brigadier General William E. Jones.

Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard