Letter, 1861

File — Box: Small Collections Box 6, Folder: 1

Identifier: id305059

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Letter from Thomas Jefferson Head to his dearest Sallie dated 1861 June 15 from Yorktown, Va. In it he describes Yorktown as a very old and neglected place, "...there has not been a house erected since Cornwallis delivered the sword to General Washington." He further describes some of the visible ruins of Cornwallis's fortifications and writes in depth about the an manner in which the soldiers prepare for a fight they are certain will come upon them any day. As a result of the paltry conditions, Head claims that he has been sick since arriving in Yorktown. He describes the playing of a violin near him, drilling with drums, and as he writes how he longs for a quick return to his quiet country home far away from the confusion and chaos of his current status.

Head also relates in his letter a fight between North Carolina and Virginia Regiments with the abolitionists where the Confederate Regiments suffered little casualties while inflicting hundreds upon their enemy. This reference is to the Battle of Big Bethel, Va.

Dates

Creation: 1861

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.