William Banks papers, 1853-1880; (bulk, 1861-1866).

ArchivalResource

Banks, William, 1814-1875. William Banks papers, 1853-1880; (bulk, 1861-1866).

William Banks papers, 1853-1880; (bulk, 1861-1866).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/30305833

Papers, 1853, 1861-1866, 1869-1874, and 1880, chiefly consisting of Civil War Letters written by William Banks and his wife Mary [Elvira Harrington Banks] at their home in Chester District, S.C.; Banks served as chaplain to Co. F and Co. S, 6th South Carolina Reserves, and the 4th South Carolina Cavalry, written from camps near the South Carolina coast, Mississippi, and Virginia, as well as several letters written to his son-in-law Rev. Joseph B. Mack. Topics discussed include religious life and instruction among Confederate soldiers, support of his chaplaincy by Presbyterian churches in South Carolina, fighting in the vicinity of Pocotaligo and regimental reviews, including Letter, 24 Aug. 1863 from McPhersonville, S.C., re Banks' concerns over payment to continue his children's educaiton balanced against necessity of buying a horse since he traveled with the cavalry, his ministerial duties, preaching, administering Holy Communion, and examining candidates for admission to the church, and reporting "I have received a commission from Dr. J.L. Wilson to act as a missionary for the Assembly's Committee. And since that a few days ago came my commission as Chaplain. I have not yet accepted it nor taken the oath." Two letters, 1 and 2 Nov. 1863, McPhersonville, S.C., and describing in detail a review of troops by Confederate president Jefferson Davis at Pocotaligo. Also includes 3 letters, 25 July, 7 Nov. 1863 and 15 Dec. 1863, from his wife, Mary, containing details of homefront conditions and complaining re the lack of shoes for slaves; undated letter, "Tuesday morning" [ca. 1863? Mississippi?] written from "Alabama River," to Mary, re news of friends, directing future letters to Jackson, Miss., requesting that she "tell all the negroes howdy for me." Letter, 30 July [1864], written by Banks while ministering to soldiers at Huguenot Springs Hospital, Va., seeks his wife's advice as to whether or not he should resign his commission as chaplain once he returned home, filed with letter, 18 June 1997, William E. Satterwhite to Henry Fulmer, South Caroliniana Library, discussing history and location of this former health resort at Huguenot Springs that was converted to a military hospital and cemetery. Post-Civil War items include letter, 21 Nov. 1866, written by Banks from Memphis, Tenn., where the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church was meeting to consider a proposal for unification of the Presbyterian, Associate Reformed Presbyterian, and Cumberland Presbyterian churches; and letter 29 July 1874, from John L[affayette] Girardeau, Charleston, S.C., to J.B. Mack, soliciting Mack's counsel in the selection of an African American pastor for Zion Presbyterian Church, Calhoun St., a church previously pastored by Girardeau. Letter, 30 Apr. 1880, Lamar, S.C., Mary E. Mack, to Hattie Banks [Columbia, S.C.], re news of family, church, schools, and impact of heavy rains on construction of their new home, "Willie has been delayed in his building by the high waters - can't get his logs hauled to mill while the creek is so high."

46 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries