Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Joseph Rule Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Alternate Form Available

This collection has been digitized and is available online .

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joseph Rule Letter, Ms2018-011, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Joseph Rule Letter was purchased by Special Collections in February 2016.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Joseph Rule Letter was completed in September, 2018.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a letter written by Joseph Rule from his camp at Petersburg, Virginia, December 15th, 1864 to his friend Silas. The letter details Rule's Company B, 50th New York Engineers involvement in the December, 1864 raid on the Weldon Railroad which was a major supply line for Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Rule writes that they had plenty to eat from the surrounding countryside including turkey, chicken, geese, and pigs. Applejack was drank by some cavalry and infantrymen accompanying the engineers. The engineers, including Rule, tore up 21 miles of track on the Weldon Railroad. On their return march they burned every house and barn on their way in retaliation. Rule writes, "I dont think that we would of burnt anything if the Rebbels had not brutily murdered some of our men on the line of march."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• History of Food and Drink
• Petersburg (Va.) -- History -- Siege, 1864-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental Histories
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental Histories -- New York Engineers -- 50th Regiment