Estes, Ludwell H. Letter Ludwell H. Estes Letter, 1861 Ms.1989.064

Ludwell H. Estes Letter, 1861 Ms.1989.064


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1989.064
Title
Ludwell H. Estes Letter 1861
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Estes, Ludwell H.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Letter from Ludwell H. Estes, postmaster at Columbia, Tennessee, written to brother, W. I. A. Estes, in Corinth, Tennessee, and focusing on the local organization of Confederate troops and the impending vote on Tennessee's secession from the Union. 

Administrative Information

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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], Ludwell H. Estes Letter, Ms1989-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Ludwell H. Estes Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Ludwell H. Estes Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.


Biographical Note

Ludwell Hunter Estes, son of Lyddal Bacon Estes, was born in Columbia (Maury County), Tennessee on July 18, 1810. Among his siblings was William Isaac Addison Estes (1818-1893). Ludwell Estes married Anne C. Neal on March 16, 1834; the couple would have nine children. The family of L. H. Estes is recorded in the 1860 federal census as residents of Maury County, the occupation of head of household L. H. Estes listed as tailor. Estes was appointed postmaster of Columbia in January 1861. The 1870 federal census shows the Estes family still living in Columbia, with Ludwell Estes' occupation given as "agt s machines" (probably sewing machine agent). By 1880, L. H. and "Ann" Estes were living in the Jackson, Tennessee home of their daughter, Gertrude Estes Munson. Ludwell H. Estes died on October 23, 1887, and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville (Madison County), Alabama.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by Ludwell H. Estes, postmaster at Columbia, Tennessee during the outbreak of the American Civil War. Written from Columbia to Estes' brother, W. I. A. [William Isaac Addison] Estes in Corinth, the letter is dated May 12, 1861. Estes provides information on the organization of local Confederate forces and participation by family and friends. "Henry and Hunter both joined Abe Looney's Company," Estes writes, "which is now in Camp about 75 miles from Nashville ..." He adds that many local men have marching orders, probably for Kentucky, "as Louisville was blockaded day before yesterday and the R.R. ... are threatened to be torn up." Estes asks his brother to purchase and send him a Colt Navy revolver, then informs William that he has recently been appointed Columbia posmaster ("now discharging that duty under old Abe, hope to be transferd to Jeff Davis verry soon"). Estes notes that the state will vote on secession on June 8 and that the governor has called for 55 thousand army volunteers. "Maury [County] has sent off about 4 Companies and there is now 5 or six more that will start during this week," Estes adds.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

General

This item had been purchased, accessioned, and originally cataloged as the Ludmill Estes Letter, but closer examination and research in 2021 revealed that Ludwell Estes Letter would be a more accurate title.

Container List

folder 1
Letter
1861