Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Horace Holcomb Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Horace Holcomb Letter, Ms2011-042, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Horace Holcomb Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 2011.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Horace Holcomb Letter commenced and was completed in March, 2011.

Biographical Note

Horace Holcomb was born in New Hampshire in 1844. He enlisted as a private in Company A of the 10th New Hampshire Infantry in 1862, and was promoted to corporal on January 1, 1864. Holcomb was wounded on October 2, 1864 at Fort Harrison, Virginia and was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Virginia later that month. He was paroled on March 20, 1865, and promoted to sergeant on June 1 before mustering out with his regiment at Richmond three weeks later. The 1880 census lists a 36-year-old machinist named Horace J. Holcombe living in the Concorde (Merrimack County), New Hampshire home of his father-in-law, John G. Warren. Also in the home is Hattie E. Holcombe, 35, presumably Holcombe's wife. The census record shows that both Holcombes had been born in New Hampshire.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of a twelve-page letter written by Horace Holcomb, a corporal in the 10th New Hampshire Infantry during the Civil War. Written from a camp in Manchester, Virginia, the letter is addressed to Holcomb's friend Jennie. Holcomb briefly describes the ruins of Richmond and notes that he has been assigned to oversee the repair of a bridge connecting Manchester with Richmond. After describing the work, Holcomb writes, "I have brought my writing material with me, and while the men are working, I am writing, too deeply impressed with my Corporal's dignity to assist them..." Holcomb also comments on the capture of Jefferson Davis, then lists the punishments that he would inflict on Davis, given the opportunity. Holcomb mentions that he has made the acquaintance of a local widow and her daughters and also discusses male-female relationships, nature, and religion, particularly focusing on a friend in the company who "is an avowed infidel."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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