The collection is open for research.
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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William Smith Hanger Baylor Correspondence, Ms1985-002, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The William Smith Hanger Baylor Correspondence was acquired by Special Collection prior to 1985.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the William Smith Hanger Baylor Correspondence was completed in 1985. Additional description was completed in April 2011.
Born in 1831, William Smith Hanger Baylor was a resident of Augusta County, Virginia. In the American Civil War Civil War, Baylor was colonel of Augusta County Volunteer companies, and then was appointed to command the 5th Virginia Regiment. In August 1862, he was made commander of the Stonewall Brigade, and was killed soon thereafter at the Battle of Second Manassas. His widow was Mary Hawes Johnson Baylor, later Ryland, and Baylor is buried in Hebron Cemetery, Hebron, Augusta County, Virginia.
Sources:
"Col William Smith Hanger Baylor" entry, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24442339/william-smith_hanger-baylor, accessed Dec. 6, 2022.
"Mary Hawes Johnson Baylor Ryland" entry, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6018288/mary-hawes-ryland, accessed Dec. 6, 2022.
The William Smith Hanger Baylor Correspondence contains three letters written during the American Civil War: two letters from Baylor to his wife (April 22 and August 18, 1862) and a letter from Edward P. Walton to Mrs. Baylor written after Baylor's death (October 1, 1862). Baylor's letters speak of the destruction caused by the war, his promotion to "Colonelcy" and to Brigade Commander, his health, and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Walton's letter expresses sympathy to Baylor's widow, and comments on Baylor's religious conviction and General Jackson's regard for him.
The guide to the William Smith Hanger Baylor Correspondence by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).