A Guide to the Morgan Family Papers, 1862-1864 Morgan Family, Papers mss 00356

A Guide to the Morgan Family Papers, 1862-1864

A Collection in
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Collection Number mss 00356


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Virginia Military Institute Archives

Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304
USA
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7279
Email: archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives

© 2002 Virginia Military Institute

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Virginia Military Institute Archives Staff

Repository
Archives, Preston Library, Virginia Military Institute
Collection number
mss 00356
Title
Morgan Family Papers 1862-1864
Physical Characteristics
The papers consist of twelve items.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Morgan Family Papers, mss 00356, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Alternative Form

A portion of the Morgan Family Papers are available in full-text format on the VMI Archives website at: http://www.vmi.edu/archives/manuscripts/ms0356.html

Biographical/Historical Information

During the Civil War, the family of Joseph B. and Annie Lamb Morgan resided in Currituck County, North Carolina. One of the Morgan sons, Patrick Henry (b. 1844 d. 1917), was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute from 1862-1864. During his cadetship, he took part in the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. After the war, Patrick studied law, but did not practice. He then engaged in business and was a state senator in the North Carolina legislature. He was subsequently a district supervisor of the United States Life Saving Service (now the U. S. Coast Guard). Patrick Henry Morgan died in Shawboro, NC on August 27, 1917.

Scope and Content Information

The collection consists of twelve items. Included are letters (8 items), 1862-1864, addressed to Cadet Patrick H. Morgan. Those from his father (James B. Morgan of Currituck, Co. NC) contain news of Civil War civilian & home life Currituck Co., North Carolina, 1863-1864. Specific topics include enemy raids for food and supplies, diptheria, an uncle's death in battle, and the hardships of war. Other letters are from family friends and cousin John B. Wiginton. Also included are Cadet Morgan's written excuses (4 items) to the VMI Commandant for various infractions, April - May 1863.

Arrangement

The items are arranged chronologically.

Contents List

Correspondence, 1862-1864
  • James Morgan Letters 1863-1864

    James Morgan to his son Patrick, describing wartime life at home in North Carolina.

    • Letter, 1863 January 28

      Wartime civilian life in Currituck Co; death of uncle in battle at Fredericksburg; enemy raids; diphtheria very prevalent.

    • Letter, 1863 February 13

      Enemy treatment of civilians; family news.

    • Letter, 1864 January 3

      A detailed account of the journey of a committee of citizens to appeal to Union Gen. Butler to "secure their property from destruction;" selling horse and sending money from sale; family news.

    • Letter, 1864 May 16

      Discusses rumors of a major Confederate victory--"should these things be true, this fanatical war must be drawing rapidly to a close. May God speed the happy day." Also family news.

    • Letter, 1864 October 31

      Family news; cautions son against neglecting his "religious duties."

  • Family Letters, other 1862-1864
    3 items
VMI Documents, written excuses 1863
4 items

Written excuses by Cadet Patrick Morgan, submitted to the VMI Commandant. These were explanations given by cadets after breaking a regulation.