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 Says that he is in Richmond due to a pain caused by passage of gravel from the kidneys to the bladder, a routine and not serious problem among men in the army; mentions a skirmish near the Chickahominy River where the Yankees were whipped; says they have been getting enough to eat despite rumours to the contrary; says morale is good; they are confident of holding Richmond; the tide of victory has turned in their favor and war will be over in a short time; thanks God for protecting his health...

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of her letter of May 26 which encouraged him greatly; discusses his dislike of infantry service and desire to obtain a substitute; mentions that he has recovered from last week's illness; gives brief account of fighting on May 31 and June 1, Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks), although his party escaped involvement; gives more instructions of management of his farm. Including letter, June 5, 1862, requests new pair of shoes and blacking. Including letter, June 6, 1862,...

Scope and Contents Mentions comfortableness of present camp compared to some others; describes in more detail the Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) on May 31 and June 1; notes location of enemy (Union troops); comments on what they gained-- 200 prisoners, a commissary, tents and some artillery; describes prisoners, says that they are not better educated and certainly not more moral than southerners; tells of eating oranges and drinking good coffee obtained from the enemy; mentions death of a man in his mess...

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Has been transferred to Captain Bagby's company, Colonel Thomas Goode's Regiment Wises' Brigade; says he is now satisfied to be infantry because it is needed more and is happy to be out of the Chickahamoniy swamps; mentions that brother Dick's regiment is camped nearby and they have been able to see each other.

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Explains family's nighttime prayers for his (NVM) safety; gives news of family members; describes her activities at their farm and general farming conditions; mentions a man from Clarksville who was visiting and buying provisions for the government.

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Tells of much sickness in camp which he had luckily escaped; mentions improvements of new location, especially availability of good food; discusses the fact that his regiment probably won't fight soon due to their weakened condition and lack of training in infantry; expresses thankfulness again that his company was spared involvement in the recent battle in which there was much loss of life; acknowledges receipt of wife's letter and praises her support; sends his love to his family.

Scope and Contents Tells of Doc's visit from Richmond, and thanks Nannie for the clothes and supplies she sent; repeats that it is impossible for him to get a furlough unless he becomes sick or obtains a substitute; gives a new address for his mail; exhorts her to write as often as possible, and to have faith that God's will will be done and will be good; acknowledges receipt of her letter and is sorry to hear that the negroes are sick with dysentery; gives instructions on the running of the farm; describes...

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Describes in detail the health or sickness of various family members and friends; gives an acount of a recent battle (Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks)) which appeared in a letter from brother Dick (Richard W. Watkins).

Scope and Contents Mentions that they have moved their camp a mile or so and are now on the James River; says that he likes his officers except for their profanity and that his new captain was generous in granting Johnny Booker a discharge and Abe suck leave; requests that she send Mr. Hayson some food to repay him for his kindness; mentions officers again and gives an unfavorable report, but does say that they are pious and allow the men religious freedom; states that things are run more efficiently with...

Scope and Contents Describes a night reconnaissance maneuver to observe the enemies activity on the river (James); says that he enjoyed the experience and getting out of camp; tells of dream he had while sleeping out in the clover which reminded him of home; asks Nannie to write him; inquires after the activities and work on his farm; gives instructions for work to be done on the farm; writes that he is well and describes condition, illnesses and wounds of others; wishes he could be at home; discusses...

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of her letter for which he had been waiting for a long time; expresses concern for her health; exhorts her not to conceal her problems from him; mentions that he would prefer it if she would live at the farm if she is not too lonely as it would be better for the negores; expresses his growing disgust with army life, the injustices and officers failing in their duties to their men; says he is lucky to be removed from the main body of the army because he is able to get...

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Gives more news from camp; acknowledges receipt of her letter of June 19; sends his love to his family and negroes. Letter is virtually illegible; ink is extremely light.

Scope and Contents Tells that his regiment avoided a great battle yesterday which occured 2-3 miles down the James River (one of Seven Days' Battles-- on June 30 June McClennon inflicted heavy losses on the Confederates while withdrawing across the Chickahominy River to a new base at Harrison's Landing on the James) because they were on pickett duty; mentions that there has been heavy fighting for the past week; hopes that they are demoralizing McClellan's army and that this will end the bloodshed; notes that...

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States that he has returned to camp and received her letter; details the battle which raged from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a short intermission; notes that there is no definite word on the result, but he does not think they gained much; hopes that they will meet again soon.

Scope and Contents States that enemy has been driven back and demoralized; says that losses have been estimated at not less than 10,000; writes that his regiment has not participated in any of the battles; describes a feeling of pain he has due to his separation from his family; wishes the North would realize the impossibility of conquering the South; describes strength of the position of fortifications at Chaffin's Bluff; requests news from home about their reaction to the battles and about the farm and...

Scope and Contents Expresses his weariness with the war and his desire to return home; states that he thought that furloughs would be possible after the battle (Seven Days' Battles) because McClellan's forces should no longer pose a threat; adds that McClellan's forces were not as devastated as he had first thought; discusses the slow mail service; writes that there were no religious services this Sunday; adds that there have been services off and on in the past, but nothing regular since they left Gloucester...

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of her letter of June 19; notes that the difficulty with the mail must be near her; states how thankful and uplifted he was to receive such an ecouraging letter full of news from home; gives thanks that he and their friends have been spared from the battle and sickness; requests that Nannie answer his former questions about the farm; gives detailed instructions on things to be done on the farm; writes that they are now moving one mile to a nicer campsite; believes that...

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Acknowledges receipt of her letter of July 3; thanks her for answering his questions; requests that she answer his remaining questions; writes that it is impossible for him to get a furlough at present because there are many sick in his company and regiment; states that eight men died in the last nine days; adds that most of their men have been absent from home much longer than he has; asks her to kiss the children for him.

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Discusses his application to Colonel Goode, through his Lieutenant for a furlough; states why it was denied; mentions that he will not despair yet; mentions that he is in very good health and that the new cause of sickness is fever; states that since he cannot come home she must bring the children to Richmond to see him; mentions that they do receive visitors at the camp. Including letter, July 13, 1862, writes of his Sunday spent on watch in the country; laments that he...

Scope and Contents Describes his conversation with Colonel Goode and aborted trip to Richmond in search of a furlough; writes that he has asked Mrs. Howlson to ask the Secretary of War about his case; mentions that after denying his furlough, Colonel Goode made a visit to Mecklenburg; believes that McClellan will make one more effort to take Richmond before giving up, either from the James RIver or from Fredricksburg, or attempt to cut off Petersburg; describes everyday camp life; feels that is a splendid...

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Letter almost completely illegible.

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Describes another attempt to attain a furlough; requests that his wife look into finding a substitute for him as others have them; says he would be able to bear army life better if he could get home for a week every five months or so; tells of his activities in camp; states that the war in Virginia is quiet at this time.

Scope and Contents Discusses his latest attempt to gain a furlough which was unsuccessful; again asks Nannie to seek a substitute for him and also ask her father's advice on the subject; complains about being kept in camp when they are doing so little, only drilling and ditching; states that they have meat about once a week, otherwise they mostly eat bread. Including letter, July 26, 1862, telling of the hot weather; states that the Yankees must be suffering more from it; writes that General Wise would not let...

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of three letters from Nannie in six days; thanks her and reminds her how much they encourage and help him; tells of the captain's brother who has been spending a great deal of time at their camp both preaching and handing out tracks (tracts); describes the rotation of guard duty; writes of attempts to start a Bible study and prayers at night in the tents, but adds that there are too many interruptions to make this possible; describes Sunday's dinner. 3 pp. AL. Including...