Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp at Chaffin's Bluff Batteries, to his wife, Nannie V. Watkins
Scope and Contents
Gives details of his return to camp following his short furlough; travelled with 500 Yankee prisoners which were to be exchanged; refers to the Yankee raids in VIrginia; his duties in camp have increased; the victory at Fredricksburg was both a boost and damaging to the Confederate troops, due to the death of "Old Stonewall" discusses his chances of acquiring another furlough; refers to the dependent condition of their negroes; all the men in camp are in fine spirits; wishes to invest his money in Confederate bonds; is interested in the movement of Pickett's division; poor provisions are being offered to many companies; believes war will end by late summer; writes about various camp members and friends; fears there may be another battle at or near Fredricksburg soon; General Robert E. Lee is increasing his cavalry forces; refers to the numerous Confederate victories; relays the experiences of a Confederate prisoner's stay in a Yankee camp; it is rumored that Yankee's are holding 7,000 negroes on Canary Island; states the Quarter Master is quite inefficient; refers to a Congressional Act concerning provisions for paying off debts; in anxious to hear of matters concerning his farm and crops; fears for the wheat crops in the South; wishes his wife to visit his sisters in Prince Edward County, Virginia; misses his son, Charley R. Watkins, very much; needs provisions from home.
Dates
- Creation: 1863 May 7-June 27
Creator
- From the Collection: Watkins, Nathaniel Venable (Person)
- From the Collection: Ballantine, Elisha (Rev.) (Person)
- From the Collection: Daniel, James B. (Person)
- From the Collection: Read, Charles Lewis, 1794-1869 (Person)
- From the Collection: Sherrill, Nancy Read (Person)
- From the Collection: Watkins, Richard H. (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library. 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.
Extent
From the Collection: 2.00 Linear Feet
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository