Underwood, Key families papers, 1827-1951, 1861-1864.

ArchivalResource

Underwood Family. Underwood, Key families papers, 1827-1951, 1861-1864.

Underwood, Key families papers, 1827-1951, 1861-1864.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/166261406

This collection contains correspondence, envelopes and financial and legal documents belonging primarily to members of the Underwood family of Franklin County, and later Lithonia, Georgia. Most of the correspondence was written by William and Alvin Underwood to their parents and siblings when the pair served in the Confederate Army from 1861-1864. William sent correspondence to his family telling of his unit's fitness and preparation, his optimism about a short war, his difficulties in getting furloughs, his need for clothes, and comments on his participation in the battle at Gettysburg, and General Robert E. Lee's success against General George Meade. His last letter in the collection was dated May 13, 1864 and written from a hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia where he was recovering from a gunshot wound. He died three months later in battle. Alvin Underwood also touches on a variety of subjects in his correspondence, including diseases (measles) in camp, his good health, his optimistic views of the war, including his hopes that Great Britain will intercede the conflict, and mentions battles in the Peninsular Campaign, including the 1862 battle involving the Merrimac. He also mentions battle wounds and disappearances of members of his unit. The collection also includes letters from B. L. Key, W. J. Key, and M. J. Key, A. C. Giles, W. H. Morris, J. L. Philips, all written from 1861-1864. Also included is a letter from "Mary" in 1886 written from Stone Mountain, Georgia in which she describes the appearance of James Longstreet and Jefferson Davis at an event in the town. The collection also includes financial records belonging to Little Berry Underwood such as postmaster bills, Georgia and Confederate tax bills, and land deeds. The collection contains genealogical information about the Underwood family, and also a copy of Samuel Pettit's (father of Florence DeAllen Brockman) will, in which he bequeaths his land and slaves to his children.

1 half document case (.25 linear ft.)

Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center / Cherokee Garden Library