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William H. Barron Letter

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2010-042

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a post-Civil War letter written by Private William H. Barron, of the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Dated May 27, 1865, from Richmond, Virginia, Barron's letter describes his hope for a discharge from service, and the great boredom in camp following the cessation of combat. He also writes of seeing the northern soldiers--including his former comrades in the 6th Vermont Infantry--returning home and of several visits he has made to nearby battlefields, including Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, where he "spent the night at a Negros [sic] Shanty on the Battle ground." He notes that Jefferson Davis has been captured and expresses hope that the former Confederate president will be hanged, then discusses the recent arrival of Virginia Governor Francis Pierpont in the city. The letter is accompanied by a typed transcript.

Dates

  • Creation: 1865 - 1865

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the William H. Barron Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical Information

During the Civil War, William H. Barron served as a private in the 6th Vermont Infantry, and later, in the U. S. Army Signal Corps. The 1870 census records a 29-year-old Vermont-born railroad clerk named William H. Barren living in Keene (Cheshire County), New Hampshire. No further record could be found.

Full Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Post-Civil War letter written by Private William H. Barron of the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Letter written from Richmond, Virginia to friend, describing visits to local battlefields, boredom in camp, watching the soldiers return to their homes in the North, his hope that Jefferson Davis will hang, and the arrival of Governor Pierpont in Richmond.

Acquisition Information

The William H. Barron Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 2010.

General Physical Description note

1 container; 0.1 cu. ft.

Processing Information

The processing description of the William H. Barron Letter commenced and was completed in June 2010.

Title
A Guide to the William H. Barron Letter, 1865
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson
Date
© 2010 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

Contact:
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308