A Guide to a Letter Written by a Resident of the Southern Branch National Soldiers Home, January 17, 1888 Soldier, Confederate-Disabled 11376

A Guide to a Letter Written by a Resident of the Southern Branch National Soldiers Home, January 17, 1888

A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession number 11376


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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Repository
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Collection number
11376
Title
Letter Written by a Resident of the Southern Branch National Soldiers Home, January 17, 1888
Physical Characteristics
It is a two page letter.
Language
English
Abstract
This January 17, 1888 letter by "Jesse" describes conditions in the Virginia Confederate Soldiers' Home where he lives. He complains about beer drinking, quarrels, profanity, and crowded bedrooms. He also describes the "Normal and Industrial School for the Instruction of Negroes and Indians" next door, encloses quotations for a contest he is entering, and mentions travel plans.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Letter written by a resident of the Southern Branch National Soldiers Home, 1888, Accession #11376, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This letter was purchased by the University of Virginia Library on February 5, 1998.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of a two page letter, January 17, 1888, from Jesse, a resident of the Virginia Confederate Soldiers' Home [National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers], Southern Branch, to his cousin Julia, in which he complains about the uncongenial surroundings of the home due to the ready accessibility of beer in a saloon on grounds, the profits of which go to support the theater and band, which causes quarrels and constant excitement among the residents who indulge. Other complaints include the all day card playing of the residents, also accompanied by profanity and quarrels, and the crowded and poorly ventilated bedrooms.

To pass the time, Jesse visits the institution next door, the "Normal and Industrial School for the Instruction of Negroes & Indians" [Hampton Normal & Agricultural Institute ?] for elementary education and various trades. The trades he mentions include: blacksmithing, wheel wright, carpentry, cabinet making, shoe making, harness making, tin smithing, printing, book binding, farming, and a large sawmill. The school also has an excellent library and reading room with the best magazines and newspapers, where he spends most of his time.

Jesse encloses a list of quotations whose authors he has been unable to find for a contest and asks if she knows any of them. He also writes that he hopes to visit Oscar and Uncle Charles' children in Kansas next spring or summer after paying her a visit in April.