Watkins Papers, 1846-1889, 1862-1865.

ArchivalResource

Watkins, Nathaniel Venable, fl. 1852-1883. Watkins Papers, 1846-1889, 1862-1865.

Watkins Papers, 1846-1889, 1862-1865.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22613850

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 seen very little combat, spending much of his time in defensive positions guarding artillery batteries. The unit was stationed at Gloucester Point (during the Peninsular Campaign), near Richmond (Chaffin's Bluff) and near Petersburg. His letters concern camp life, religion among the soldiers, his work as a clerk for courts-martial; and he gives directions to his wife concerning the management of their farm in Granville County, N. C. The collection also includes correspondence of other members of the Watkins family of Prince Edward County, Va. and of the Daniel family of Granville County, N.C. Some letters concern and are written by Richard H. Watkins who served in the Prince Edward Dragoons, 3rd Virginia Cavalry and who was a farmer in Prince Edward County, Va. during Reconstruction. The collection includes letters concerning slavery before and during the Civil War as well as letters written from former slaves.

3 boxes.

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