West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Five letters concerning the death of Lt. Robert McChesney. 1) St. George, VA, July 2, 1861 from Mary Lee; 2) Holly Wood, VA,
Jan. 26, 1863 from Bie Hansbrough; 3) Staunton, VA, May 6, 1889 from W.D. Reynolds; 4) King's River, CA, Dec. 28, 1883 from
H. Maxwell; 5) St. George, WV, 10 June 1884 from H. Maxwell. There is also a letter authored by Alexander McChesney, Warm
Springs, February 22, 1864, addressed to his mother. Finally, there is a letter to Robert McChesney from his commanding officer
Capt. J.R. McNutt, 1 May 1861; and Robert McChesney's militia commission signed 14 May 1853 by Governor Joseph Johnson appointing
him 1st Lt. 5th Cavalry Regiment, 13th Brigade, Virginia Militia. Lt. Robert McChesney was killed 29 June 1861 in Tucker County
when Federal soldiers ambushed his unit. Thus, he is possibly the first Confederate soldier to die in the Civil War.
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Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], McChesney Brothers, Civil War Letters, A&M 2954, West Virginia and Regional
History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Three photographs separated to West Virginia History OnView.
Includes 1. Lieutenant Robert McChesney in his 14th Virginia Cavalry Militia uniform; 2. Captain Alexander G. McChesney, M.D.,
11th Virginia Cavalry C.S.A.; and 3. Private James McChesney.