John McCauley Letters
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a letter from John McCauley, a resident of Salem, Virginia during the Civil War. Writing from Salem to "Edward" (most likely Edward A. McCauley) McCauley describes his recent trip and arrival at home. He advises Edward against accompanying his fellow soldiers when they steal from the local populace at night. ("You are stationary. There are few of you, and once suspected, the innocent among you will suffer in character with the guilty," he warns.) McCauley also relays news of an upcoming benefit exhibition being staged for soldiers in the area, to include "dialogues, music, tableau and a supper." McCauley predicts that the event will draw "a big crowd of spectators... if the small pox does not so spread as to prevent it." The collection also includes a letter to "Susan," detailing excitement around the regiment's experiences in First Bull Run, written from Wytheville, July 1861.
Dates
- Creation: 1861, 1864
Creator
- McCauley, John (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the John McCauley Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
John McCauley was a resident of Salem, Virginia during the Civil War. He was most likely the same John McCauley (1795-1864) who played a prominent role in the formation of Roanoke County and represented the county in the Virginia General Assembly for approximately 17 years. With his second wife, Susan Dingledine McCauley, he fathered eight children: William, Calpernia, Isabella J., Virginia V., Edward A. (born ca. 1844), Charles A., Mary M., and Antoinette ("Nettie"). Another four children had been born to an earlier marriage.
Full Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Letter from John McCauley of Salem, Virginia to "Edward," describing arrival at home, advising Edward not to accompany fellow soldiers who steal from the local populace, and relaying news of an upcoming benefit exhibition for the soldiers in the area. Also includes a letter to "Susan," detailing excitement around the regiment's experiences in First Bull Run (1861).
Acquisition Information
The John McCauley letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1994. An additional letter was purchased in 2014.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the John McCauley letter commenced and was completed in May 2009. Additional processing was completed in July 2017.
- Title
- A Guide to the John McCauley Letters, 1861, 1864
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- © 2009 By VirginiaTech. 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