Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Thomas A. Smith Letters, Accession #6846-ct, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was purchased from Collector's Cornerstones of Okemos, Michigan, by the Rare Books Department of the Library on April 16, 1984.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of sixteen items, 1862-1865, chiefly letters from a Confederate soldier, Sergeant Thomas A. Smith, of [Henry A.] Wise's Brigade, [Bushrod R.] Johnson's Division, [Richard H.] Anderson's Corps, to his family in Mathews County, Virginia. Most of the letters are addressed his sister, Lizzie, and discuss camp life and his religious sentiments. There are references to : Ulysses S. Grant, Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan and the Peninsula campaign, James G. Spears, Henry A. Wise, the C.S.S. Virginia , Vicksburg, Union occupation of Mathews County, the surrender of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, Negro soliders, and family matters.

Of speical interest are three 1864 letters. One of January 19th concerns the effects of Union shelling of Charleston, South Carolina, and on August 24th he discussed the Petersburg Mine Explosion, the Battle of the Crater and his regiment's participation. Enclosed with a December 15th letter is a pass granting Smith six hours leave to search for a box of provisions sent to him. There are a few letters from relatives and acquaintances, either addressed to Smith or mentioning him. An 1862 receipt from Smith and (his father?) made out to Alman William, a free Negro of Gloucester County, is also present.