Smith, Asa to mother
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03696.14 Author/Creator: Smith, Asa Place Written: Fairgrounds, Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 May 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.3 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
to mother [Ann Smith] He received a letter from the clerk of Victor, and sends it on to other men. The troops have left Camp Huger and marched to the fairgrounds. He has the shakes. The mayor of the town has given up his keys, and the Union military has successfully insisted that the stores remain open and accept Northern currency. He says the relationship with the local white people is improving but still embittered, and notes that "The darkeys are very fond of us, and I verily believe that the yellow girls all expect to get yankee husbands." Four Confederate deserters arrived at the camp. A local Union man was murdered by his wife over family troubles. He requests newspapers. Numbered in pencil "78."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.