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], Jack Foster Letter, Ms2008-018, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Jack Foster Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 2008.
This letter has been digitized and is available online.
The processing and description of the Jack Foster Letter commenced and was completed in April 2008.
At the time of the American Civil War, Jack Foster was enslaved by the Tompkins family of Virginia. Though Christopher Q. Tompkins, Foster's enslaver, served with the 22nd Virginia Infantry during the war, Foster found himself in the 36th Virginia, body servant to a young soldier in the regiment. By 1883, Foster was living in Richmond, Virginia. He may have been the same man as a driver named John Foster enumerated in the 1880 census living in Richmond, Virginia, with wife Virginia and daughters Hattie, Lucy, Ada, and Ida. By 1900, Virginia Foster was a widow in Richmond, living with children Ada, Ida, and Chris.
This collection contains an 1883 letter written by Jack Foster, a formerly enslaved person who served as a body servant in the 36th Virginia Infantry during the American Civil War. Foster writes to former Confederate General John McCausland, one-time commander of the 36th. After inquiring about the general's wellbeing, Foster mentions his family, then begins to reminiscence about his time in the general's camp. Foster mentions being at Camp Narrows (Giles County, Virginia) and being present when McCausland took command following the death of General Jenkins at "Floyds Mountains" [i.e., the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, May 9, 1864]. Foster then proceeds to recollect a discussion between Jenkins and McCausland regarding battle strategy and the Confederate units present. He also recalls baking bread in the camp.
Letters from Foster to Christopher Quarles Tompkins may be found in the Tompkins Family Papers, Mss1 T5996 a, at the Virginia Historical Society.
The guide to the Jack Foster Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).