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], James C. Franklin Letter, Ms2009-076, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The James C. Franklin Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.
The processing and description of the James C. Franklin Letter commenced and was completed in May 2009.
James C. Franklin, son of Tarlton W. and Elizabeth G. Shelton Franklin, was born in 1836 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He married Susan W. Shelton (daughter of William Christopher and Christiana Arnold Shelton) on August 8, 1861; the couple had six children. During the American Civil War, Franklin enlisted in Company D of the 57th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army at Galveston (Pittsylvania County) on August 1, 1861. He deserted from the regiment on February 21, 1863, but later rejoined. Franklin deserted again on June 12, 1863, then rejoined April 29, 1864 and remained with the regiment through the remainder of the war.
This collection consists of an American Civil War letter from James C. Franklin, a soldier in Company D, 57th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army, to his wife Susan in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Writing from a camp near Guinea Station, Virginia, Franklin describes a recent, difficult march through rain and snow near Fredericksburg. He then briefly recounts a massive snowball fight between Toombs' Brigade and Cross's Brigade. "It was verry dangerous they hurt some of the men verry bad," he writes. Franklin discusses the unlikely possibility of receiving a furlough but states that those not receiving furloughs are likely to desert soon. "[T]hey wil run away in the Spring and I will be one in the crowd if I live." He complains of short rations and the price of goods, then advises his brother John Billy to bring a surgeon's certificate when returning so that he will be paid for the time he was absent.
The Manuscript Department of the William R. Perkins Library, Duke University, holds letters from James C. Franklin of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
The guide to the James C. Franklin Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).