viblbv00023Wall, Alexander Floyd, CorrespondenceAlexander Floyd Wall Correspondence, 1861-1865, 1931, n.d. Ms.1982.007Laura Katz Smith, ArchivistSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

2019 (CC0 1.0)

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-09 07:03:03 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Alexander Floyd Wall Correspondence Wall, Alexander Floyd, 1826-1899 Ms.1982.007 0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder 1861-1865, 1931, n.d. This collection consists of letters from Alexander Floyd Wall to Waddy Thompson James, describing conditions on his farm during the American Civil War, prices of crops, problems of getting supplies to soldiers, and the transfer of people who were enslaved. The collection also includes one letter from James to his wife Jennie, written from Camp Belcher in Richmond, Virginia, on October 4, 1861, and biographical and military information about James and his career as a soldier. The materials in the collection are English. Conditions Governing Access

The collection open to research.

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 Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Alexander Floyd Wall Correspondence, Ms1982-007, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

 Source of Acquisition

The Alexander Floyd Wall Correspondence was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in April 1982.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Alexander Floyd Wall Correspondence was completed prior to 2001.

 Biographical Note

Alexander Floyd Wall was a farmer in Montgomery County, Virginia. Wall's brother-in-law Waddy Thompson James (1836-1926 or 1931) was a Captain of Company B and then Lieutenant Colonel of the 57th Virginia Infantry during the American Civil War. He organized Company B, or the "Franklin Sharpshooters," of men from Franklin County, Virginia. James was injured in the Battle of Malvern Hill (July 1862), resigned from service soon thereafter, and returned to his farm in Franklin County. After the war, James served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1864-1878) and the Virginia Senate (1879-1882) as a representative from Franklin County.

 Scope and Content

This collection consists of photocopies of four letters, 1862-1865, three of which are from Wall to Waddy Thompson James. Wall's letters describe conditions on his farm during the American Civil War, prices of crops, problems of getting supplies to soldiers, and the transfer of people who were enslaved. The collection also includes one letter from James to his wife Jennie, written from Camp Belcher in Richmond, Virginia, on October 4, 1861, and biographical and military information about James and his career as a soldier. Transcripts of the letters are available.

 Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

 Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Alexander Floyd Wall Correspondence by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

 Civil War Local/Regional History and Appalachian South Montgomery County (Va.) United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Letter to Jennie (wife) from W.T. James, Camp Belcher, Richmond, Virginia1861-10-041Scope and Content

Death of two soldiers in his company due to sickness; move to Camp Belcher; unit not completely equipped; urges Jennie to visit him

Letter to "Brother Waddy" from Alexander Floyd Wall1862-05-221Scope and Content

Purchase of a horse

Letter to "Col" from Alexander Floyd Wall, Matamoras, Montgomery County1864-11-151Scope and Content

Corn and wheat harvest poor; difficult and expensive to buy corn and wheat; trouble with deserters

Letter to "Col" from Alexander Floyd Wall, Blacksburg, Montgomery County1865-03-021Scope and Content

Severe winter; difficulty getting supplies; discusses transfer of people who were enslaved

Part of unit roster of 57th Virginia Infantry [from 57th Virginia Infantry by Charles W. Sublett, p. 66]1Confederate service records, including copy of commission as Lt. Colonel [6 pages]1Copy of obituary from unknown newspaper19311Copy of "Report of Lieut. Col. Waddy T. James. Fifty-seventh Virginia Infantry, of the battle of Malvern Hill"1