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...

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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.

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Mentions a compromise made with his creditors; the exchange of land, livestock, and money are involved; is taking advantage of the Bankruptcy Act; his family is sick with colds; prefers staying at his own home rather than moving in with Richard; hopes to open a little school and take in boarders.

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Things are going well; gives news of family and friends; relays church news; is concerned about her garden and fowls; mentions how their daughter Minnie and Nannie are doing.

Scope and Contents Relays news of his crops and her garden; refers to sicknesses in the neighborhood; updates her on the family and neighborhood news; mentions his involvement in the church; is having a problem with debts; drought conditions and later heavy rains damage his crops; refers to his tenant farmers and their inadequate work compared to slave hands; blames negroes and Yankees for the hard times; there is a lack of both old and new scholars; is unhappy to be separated from his wife and children;...