Scope and Contents From the Collection: Letters, chiefly 1862-1865, written by Nathaniel Venable Watkins to his wife Nancy Daniel Watkins. During the Civil War, Watkins served with Co. H, 4th Virginia Heavy Artillery, which became part of the 34th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Watkins appeared to have saw little combat, spending much of his time in defensive positions guarding artillery batteries. His unit was stationed at Gloucester Point (during the Peninsular Campaign), near Richmond (Chaffin's Bluff) and near Petersburg. His...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Tells of trains being occupied with troops heading toward Petersburg and for the Peninsula, therefore he may not be able to travel toward Petersburg or Richmond; reports rumor of fighting near Newport News, but states that no one known anything; hopes that God will bless his wife and children in this trial. Including letter from Nathaniel V. Watkins, Richmond, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, Sunday evening, including news of travel to Richmond...

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Gives description of his surroundings and plan for improving camp; talks of possibility of fighting soon on the Peninsula, Yorktown and of reinforcement of Fort Magruder; talks of the food available; describes the officers of his company; requests some items.

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Describes his activities, such as standing duty; talks of prayer meetings which are held in the tent of the Orderly Sergeant; states that most of the Officers are pious; writes of potential fighting on Peninsula; requests that his wife and children write him more often.

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Complains that he has received no mail in a couple of weeks even though others receive it; talks of the fighting on the Peninsula and their role across the river in detail; mentions his feeling of indifference before battle; tells Nannie not to be alarmed by news in papers, but only to rely on word of those in his company; mentions his deep desire to see her and the children.

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Discusses possibility that the mail is responsible for his lack of letters; exhorts Nannie not to believe rumors in papers; states that troop morale is good and reinforcements come; mentions that all ladies have been banned from their lines and that most men are well; hopes that all is well at home; tells Nannie how important she is to him.

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Talks mostly about how much he misses Nannie; mentions possibility of fighting in Gloucester Point; states that all men are well except Johny Booker (?) who is being sent to Richmond.

Scope and Contents Describes in great detail activities and fighting on the Peninsula; mentions the Yankees' use of hot air balloon and sighting of two war steamers. Including, April 13, 1862, acknowledges letter from Nannie, narrates Sunday's activities including preaching, Bible study and prayer meetings; tells Nannie to have her father take control of their farm; asks negroes at home and sends his love; mentions General Joseph E. Johnston, the Peninsula fighting and alledged Confederate victories in the...

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Writes of his activities at home; asks father to visit him, says he is a good boy; illustrates letter with two small pictures.

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Acknowledges receiving his letters; asks for another letters soon; writes of visiting a sick friend; narrates several items of family news.

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Describes his surroundings, the big (York) river and ships on the river; (does not mention the Peninsular campaign or his activities therein); asks Charley to watch out for his little sister, continue to learn, and to mind his ma and grandma. Illustrates bottom of letter with picture of a horse.

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Gives many details of everyday life; mentions that her mother is unwell; describes activities of two brothers also fighting in war; mentions a friend who might be converted.

Scope and Contents Gives detail of his activities over the past few days; mentions enemy shelling of Confederate troops on Peninsula on Sunday evening perhaps to lower morale; tells of exchange of fire with enemy steamers; discusses increase in his relgious feelings due to his current situation. Including, April 16, 1862, acknowledges receiving Nannie's letter; thanks her for expressing her support of him and of his cause; asks about things at home on their farm; sends his love to the negroes; expresses...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Asks Nannie to excuse the manner in which he writes as he is often interrupted by boys talking to him; acknowledges receiving her letter; tells of great joy in camp because almost everyone received mail; states that mail is an incredible morale booster; asks Nannie to have her and her childrens' photograph taken for him; mentions that Gloucester Point was quiet, but that there was heavy fighting on the Peninsula; reports figures of those killed and wounded on both sides;...

Scope and Contents All are well in camp except Daniel Booker who has the mumps; yesterday was a gloomy day for him, but that generally he feels as content and happy as others in the camp; asks for a bottle of ink and an ink stand; says that there is no news of interest because they do not know what is happening on the Peninsula; reports that he receives his Christian Observer regularly and enjoys it as it looks like home; describes a visit in Richmond as the cost of several purchases made there; comments on...

Scope and Contents All is quiet both in his camp and on the Peninsula; notes seeing many transports carrying Yankee soldiers on the river; asks for more news and details from home; mentions his lack of trust in newspaper reports; complains of constant noise, bustle and confusion; asks for more news from home; inquires about his negroes and exhorts them to keep everything straight; writes that he is sorry he didn't see them before he left; describes being shelled by Yankee steamers; mentions increase in...

Scope and Contents Discusses religious activities, such as Bible study and sermons, and mentions that several men have made confessions of faith; gives advice to Nannie on how to handle their separation, educate the children and states that they should be thankful for their fate which could be worse; states that Peninsula is still quiet, but that fighting must take place soon; the men are confident; says that Confederate lines are more strongly fortified than at Manassas and Centreville; army numbers eighty to...

Scope and Contents Describes negative, poor morale of men after they heard news of New Orleans defeat; expresses disappointment at increasing amount of profanity among men and that this will not help their cause with God; tells of his visit to Yorktown and Captain Baskerville; states that men in Yorktown are in good spirits, but more exposed to the weather; writes of several religious activities; comments on the beliefs of his officers. Including letter, April 30, 1862, mentions that he could see the enemy...

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Writes that they were issued muskets for a forced march; reports that they began the march, but turned back and now remain in camp; does not know reason for march; assures her he will be fine.

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Gives details of their march from Gloucester Point; describes hospitality of people of King and Queen County as they passed through; says he does not know reason for leaving the Point; tells of several deserters; gives his love to his family and says they should all be grateful (incomplete).

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Now in the Army of the Peninsula, the Grand Army; describes various activities such as listening to sermons, visiting acquaintances in surrounding camps, bathing, and drilling; says his company has been divided into two-- one half, including our boys, to be left artillery, the other armed with muskets; mentions 18th Virginia Company and 23rd North Carolina Company; describes sight of six or seven thousand men on drill; reports that they are having an easier time in Light...

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Writes of news received for Peninsula campaign including names of those wounded in their community; gives much family news regarding illnesses, gardens, etc.

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Describes a miserable march and the manning of his gun; says that men stood the march well; says if he is made infantry he will attempt to transfer to another company; doesn't see how this force of eight or ten thousand can he whipped by any force. Including letter, April 18, 1862, gives instructions of where to write him; expresses concern for those at home due to outbreak of fever.

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Describes the situation in the camp; says that he and the men are well; states that he cannot visit Richmond as he must be accompanied by an officer and have a pass signed by his captain and by General Hill and General Robert Emmett Rodes and this is almost impossible; gives two reasons for officers wanting to keep men in camp-- impending battle and to keep men away from liquor in Richmond; states his desire and work to transfer to another regiment to be in artillery.

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Dissatisfied with his regiment because it is now infantry and because of selfishness at their captain; mentions also that he feels superior and better qualified than many of his officers; states that his friend Doc is at home on a 20 day furlough because of his dysentery (incomplete).