Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Joab Roberson Letter, Ms1976-005, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Joab Roberson Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1976.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Joab Robertson Letter commenced and was completed in May 2012.

Please note: Though it seems most sources record the surname of this man, his ancestors, and descendants as "Robertson," the letter is clearly signed "Roberson" so was cataloged under the latter name.

Biographical Note

Joab Roberson Jr. (also known as Joab Robertson Jr.), son of Joab and Niecy Shackleford Robertson, was born around 1838. He married Nancy J. Ragan, and the couple was living at Bachelor's Hill (Pittsylvania County), Virginia by 1860. On March 1, 1862, Roberson enlisted in Company I of the 57th Virginia Infantry. He was hospitalized in July, 1862. Roberson died of typhoid on August 29 of that year and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. The Robersons had two daughters, Joanna and Nicey (the latter born posthumously). Post-war census records show that Nancy Roberson/Robertson continued to live in Pittsylvania County through 1900.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a photocopy of a letter written by Joab Roberson (or Robertson), a private in Company I of the 57th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War. Writing to his wife Nan, Roberson discusses the possibility of selling his house to obtain a substitute to fulfill his military service, concluding, "I would be gladest [sic] in the world if I could get one but I think Nan that chance is a very bad one." Roberson mentions mutual acquaintances, both in the army and at home, and expresses a desire to be with his family. Elsewhere, he asks Nan to make and send him two shirts, using "cloth that would hide dirt good." A typed transcript accompanies the photocopy.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Joab Roberson Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).