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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Receives news of Nathaniel's hopes for a furlough or substitution; makes many references to their children; relays family, church and neighborhood news; sickness in the area continues, and the negroes are being hit hard; discusses schooling in the area; news of the crops is minimal; refers to troop movement and Nathaniel's move to Charleston, South Carolina; is angered at those young men escpaing military duty; mentions artillery fire in the area; refers to the "sharp-shooters" in...

Scope and Contents Relays church news; refers to the well-being of friends and neighbors; home chores and laboring on the crops continues; mentions their daughter Minnie H. Watkins; refers to the emptiness of many local stores; schooling of the children continues; gives details of the trading being done at the "Fork" a local election is taking place; stealing is occuring by the female negroes; updates on their negroes are made; is having problems finding someone to manage the farm another year; refers to...

Scope and Contents Gives details of Richmond's and Petersburg's attempt to feed General Robert E. Lee's troops at Christmas; relays news of his condition to camp; is worried about the fact that their caretaker has been sent into the army; the number of furloughs granted has increased; is sorry to hear of the unrest in the neighborhoods; refers to the desertions being made to the enemy; there is a real need for more horses; asks for many provisions; the army appears to be still optimistic; gives instructions...

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Refers to the fail of Atlanta; comments on recent Yankee advancements; the chase between Early (?) and Sheridan (?) is ongoing in his area; contemplates and reflects on the times they live in; wonders about the success of "Old Bob" (Robert E. Lee) and his tactics of war; refers to the plundering done by Yankees; the cost of a calvary are proving to be too much.

Scope and Contents Is continuing his religious committment in camp; frequently comments on his hopes for a furlough or Nannie visiting; camp life is often discussed; advises Nannie on what to do with his crops and other farm matters; refers to the fail of Atlanta, Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, and possibly Petersburg, Virginia; spirits are still high and the number of desertations have lessened; is upset over the greed and corruptness spreading throughout the southern people and officers; negroe sales are...

Scope and Contents Is frequently updated on family news; wishes his wife to visit him; due to the recent epidemic of measles, is worried about his daughter Minnie H. Watkins; feels the Southern people are not doing enough for the cause; is quite hurt by the conduct of his negroes at home; gives advice on his crops; asks for provisions; is worried over the disappearance of his negroes; the overuse of trains has slowed the mail; soldiers remaine determined; desertions have ceased; Richmond and Petersburg,...

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Relays news of his move from Petersburg, Virginia; refers to Early's (?) disasterous campaign in western Virginia; gives a description of camp life; there are a number of surrounding forces; sharp-shooters are constantly at work; gives farm advice.

Scope and Contents Many railroads have been seized by the enemy; rumors are spreading of Yankees around Richmond, Virginia; it is rumored that General Sherman has been defeated; Confederate troops are hopeful; relays news of his regiment and their fighting; hopes to raise a negro regiment are rising; religious news in camp is discussed; relays news of his time of the picket line; heavy fighting continues around Petersburg, Virginia; refers to General Robert E. Lee's fight with General Sherman; the southern...

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Relays news of family visits; refers to health conditions; the Prince Edward County, Virginia cavalry is on display; gives update on crop conditions; insists that Nathaniel takes care of his tobacco; relays news of the commotion being caused by the freed negroes; are having many problems with the Yankees; likes President Andrew Jackson better than President Abraham Lincoln; Johnson understands the negro.

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Relays farm news; health problems are prevalent in the family; children's progress in school is continuing; refers to religious event taking place; bankruptcies are spreading.

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Is worried and anxious to hear from her family since the war has ended; relays news of sickness in the family; gives miscellaneous family news; life after war is rough; salaries are smaller and prices are higher; puts her faith in God.

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Refers to problems Nathaniel is having with increasing debts; tells Nathaniel to put his faith in God; he is doing much better; has formed a Conservative Party in hopes of defeating the new Constitution of the Radicals; relays farm news.

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Discusses his move to Farmville and 212 acre plantation he has acquired; matters are going well; refers to Nathaniel's debt problem and the sale of his land; invites Nathaniel and his family to live with him; complains of the cough and cold he has had since the war.