Smith, William Wallace (fl.1861-1862) to Asa Smith
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 #: GLC03742.05 Author/Creator: Smith, William Wallace (fl.1861-1862) Place Written: Camp Holmes near Halls Hill, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 December 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written by William Wallace Smith to his brother Asa Smith. References receiving Smith's letter. Says he spent Thanksgiving "running round among the other camps and at dusk we got up a dress parade among the boys with a dirty torn shirt for colors and in the evening we had a dance on the parade ground. Reports that there was much excitement when drums start beating all over camp, but it was only to get them to get 40 rounds and be prepared to lave a moment's notice. Says there was much action around camp, but that they were not called out until 9 p.m. Mentions other units that went into a fight and says his company lost their first man. Says he has not been sent on picket since arriving in Virginia, and has only been sent to guard a building. Says they might move soon as they were recently given new shoes. Would not be surprised if they were sent to Fortress Monroe and sent to South Carolina where he has heard there are problems. Letter has an embossed image of General George McClellan on the first page. Around the image are the embossed words: "Gen. McClellan His Country's Hope."
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.