Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Thomas R. Martin Letters 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: Thomas R. Martin Letters, Ms2012-011, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in May 2012. An additional letter was purchased in September 2012.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas R. Martin Letter was completed in May 2012. Additional description was completed in October 2014.

Biographical Note

Thomas R. Martin enlisted as a private at North Garden, Virginia, in April 1861 and reenlisted at Richmond the following year. Prior to January of 1863, he was promoted to First Corporal. He was promoted again, this time to Third Sergeant, prior to November 1863. Close to the end of war, Martin was wounded at the Battle of Five Forks, in April 1865.

External source:

Murphy, Terrence V. 1989. 10th Virginia Infantry. Lynchburgh, Va: H.E. Howard.

Scope and Content

The collection contains two letters written by Pvt Thomas R. Martin, Company F, 10th Virginia Cavalry (1st Cavalry Regiment, Wise Legion) to his parents. The first is dated September 22, 1861 and written from Sewell, VA (now WV). Martin reports on recent events, including the Battle of Carnifax Ferry. He notes recent war news, as well as his unit's current position and winter plans. The second was written at Gordonsville in May 1963. He reports on his inability to participate in recent action when his horse was injured, as well as recent news from his regiment.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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