Leonard A. Slater Letter, 1862 (Ms2011-052)
Dates
- 1862
Creator
- Slater, Leonard A., 1835-1897 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from Leonard A. Slater Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Note
Dr. Leonard A. Slater, son of John and Fluvanna P. Slater, was born in New Kent County, Virginia in 1835. He attended Lynchburg College where he graduated Valedictorian at the college's first commencement in 1856. He was married to Ellen H. Williams, daughter of Leroy and Susan Williams, in May 1866. They had seven children: Clarence H. (b.1867 d.1869), Leonard A. Jr. (b.1869), John L. (b.1871 d.1873), Lawrence W. (b.1873), William S. (b.1876), Mattie Lucile (b. 1879), and Ellen W. (b.1883).
At the outbreak of the Civil War Dr. Leonard A Slater enlisted in Company F, 3rd Virginia Calvary, Stewart's Division. In 1861 he was appointed assistant surgeon in the Confederate States Army. In 1862 he was appointed surgeon in 15th Virginia Calvary. In 1864 he was appointed surgeon of General Hospital at Columbia, South Carolina. Lastly he was appointed surgeon in charge of 2nd Division of General Hospital No. 10, State of North Carolina at Salisbury. Following the war he returned to New Kent County, Virginia to continue practicing medicine.
He served as school trustee of Cumberland District 1879-1884 and county physician to the almshouse in New Kent County 1878-1874. He also served as a member of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College's Board of Visitors from 1881-1885.
Leonard Slater resided at his family home, Slatersville, in New Kent County until his death in 1897.
Sources: Hardestys Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia, H.H. Hardesty 1884 and Ancestry.com
Language of Materials
English
Acquisition Information
The Leonard A. Slater Letter was purchased by Special Collections in February 2011.
Abstract
The collection consists of a letter written by Dr. Leonard A. Slater to his father, John Slater, on October 10, 1862. At the time of the letter Leonard A. Slater was serving as a surgeon in the 15th Virginia Calvary at General Hospital No. 23 in Richmond, Virginia.
Abstract
The collection consists of a letter written by Dr. Leonard A. Slater to his father, John Slater, on October 10, 1862. At the time of the letter Leonard A. Slater was serving as a surgeon in the 15th Virginia Calvary at General Hospital No. 23 in Richmond, Virginia. The letter details items that L.A. Slater sent had sent home to his family in New Kent County. These items include whiskey "well sealed with wax" as well as medicine for his mother's headaches. In the letter Slater also advises his father to take his slaves and leave his home and furnishings for the Yankees rather than lose his slaves to Union troops. He advises that losing the family home, Slatersville, would be preferable to being "subject to the brutal insults of the same (Union soldiers)."
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Leonard A. Slater Letter was completed in June 2011.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu