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Preston, James Francis, 1820-1862

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1820 - 1862

Biographical Note

Col. James Francis Preston was born in Virginia and was educated at West Point Military Academy. He volunteered in the Mexican War and both equipped and organized his company completely at his own expense. While serving the Union army during the Civil War, he died of exposure in 1862. His wife, Sarah Caperton Preston, was from Elmwood, Monroe County, West Virginia.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Preston Family Correspondence

 File
Identifier: Ms-2010-070
Abstract

The Preston Family Correspondence consists of two letters. The first is written by James Francis Preston to his wife, Sarah Caperton Preston; he details the events of and his involvement in the First Battle of Bull Run during the American Civil War. The second letter is written by Sarah to Colonel Grabowski and discusses her son’s (Hugh Caperton Preston) failure to follow an order at Preston and Olin Institute (now Virginia Tech).

Dates: 1861, 1872