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], F. Calkins Letter, Ms1989-045, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The F. Calkins Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the F. Calkins Letter commenced and was completed in January 2022.

Biographical Note

Franklin George Calkins, son of George and Lucy Ann Brown Calkins, was born in Monson (Hampden County), Massachusetts, in July 1841. On July 15, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He continued to serve throughout the war and was mustered out of service at Wilmington, North Carolina on September 3, 1865. He married in 1869, and the 1870 federal census lists Franklin and Belle Calkins (1846-1923) among the residents in the home of Franklin's parents. The 1920 census shows Franklin G. and Sybelle Calkins still living in Hampden County. Franklin George Calkins died in Palmer (Hampden County), Massachusetts in 1938 and was buried in East Wilbraham Cemetery, Hampden County.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by F. Calkins, serving in Company B, 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery during the American Civil War. Addressed to "Dear Friend," the letter was written at Newberne, North Carolina, on September 10, 1863. Calkins exalts the power of Christ, and he despairs that his fellow soldiers care only for things that are low and devilish and seek only to gratify their lusts and passions.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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