Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Benjamin Washington Jones Papers, Accession 38-467, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to the Library by L. May Jones of Petersburg, Virginia on March 18, 1933.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This collection consists of thirty-five letters, 1902-1913, mainly concerned with yearly reunions of the Surry Light Artillery of Confederate Veterans. Letters from Fielding Alexander Coakley of Alexandria, Virginia , describe his service during the war and his misfortune since, and show his feeling of patriotism and pride in the Confederacy. The letters of W. H. Elliott of Randolph, Virginia , express his regret in missing each year's reunion, and describe his crop situation and health. Letters from George C. Holmes of Ivor, Virginia concern the deaths of various comrades and the annual reunions. Letters of Georgiette Clarke Holmes of Surry, Virginia discuss plans for reunions. Letters from E. H. McGusiman of Alliance, Virginia , discuss the state of various comrades and meetings to be held at Bacon's Castle (1907). Letters from C. C. Richardson deal with organizing reunions and other veterans business. Letters from S. M. Williams discuss the present location of comrades, personal affairs, and regrets concerning reunions. Two of these letters contained donations for the veteran emergency funds. The remaining letters are from various people and mostly deal with the reunions. P. D. Gwaltney 's letter of July 23, 1904, describes several places in Virginia that he was stationed while with the Surry Artillery ; and Mrs. W. E. Harris ' letter of March 1910, solicits help in beginning an organization for descendants of veterans to educate them properly on the war, as they are being taught in school that the war was caused by slavery alone.