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...