Henry Courtenay Selden Letters
Scope and Content
This collection contains color photocopies and typed transcripts of letters written by Henry Courtenay Selden, a student at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) during the Civil War. Writing from Lexington, Virginia to his sister Mollie (probably Mary Byrd Selden Dimmock), Selden discusses his schoolwork, family members, and local acquaintances but also mentions war news and rumors. In his letter of May 18, 1863, Selden briefly describes the funeral of Brigadier General Elisha F. Paxton, then recounts in detail the funeral procession and burial of General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Included among the Washington College letters is a letter from A. L. Nelson, professor of mathematics, recommending Selden for an appointment in the Confederate Navy. The collection also includes a single letter written by Selden after his enlistment in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry. Writing from Brucetown, Virginia on August 30, [1864], Selden briefly mentions the regiment's recent battles at Williamsport and Smithfield.
Dates
- Creation: 1861 - 1864
Creator
- Selden, Henry, 1846-1864 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Henry Courtenay Selden Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
Henry Courtenay Selden, son of Robert C. and Courtenay Brooke Selden, was born in Virginia on May 3, 1846. A resident of Gloucester County, Virginia, Selden had eight siblings (many of whom are mentioned in his letters): John, Charles, Robert Jr., Elizabeth, Warner, Mary, Charlotte, and Susan. By 1861, Selden was a student at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University), where he remained through spring 1863. He enlisted the 3rd Virginia Cavalry later that year and died on September 23, 1864.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Color photocopies and typed transcripts of letters from Henry Courtenay Selden, a student at Washington College and a private in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically, with the photocopies preceding the transcripts.
Acquisition Information
The Henry Courtenay Selden Letters were donated to Special Collections in 2008.
General Physical Description note
1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Henry Courtenay Selden Letters commenced and was completed in January 2009.
- Title
- A Guide to the Henry Courtenay Selden Letters, 1861-1864
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- © 2009 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu