Koontz Family Papers,
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence from three Confederate soldiers--brothers George and Milton Koontz and their cousin George Miller--as well as official documents, two diaries of Milton S. Koontz, George Koontz's copybook, Milton Koontz's sketchbook, a stationery box, and a pencil drawing. The Collection dates from 1861 to 1865. Transcripts are included for all the correspondence and diary entries.
The correspondence consists mainly of letters to Nellie Koontz McCann from her brothers George and Milton Koontz, as well as her cousin George Miller, who served in the 12th Virginia Cavalry. Other letters are from George and Milton Koontz to their mother. George Koontz's correspondence contains accounts of battles he was engaged in, including the Battle of Chancellorsville. Milton Koontz's diaries date from June 25, 1863 to December 31, 1863 and from March 12, 1865 to June 28, 1865. His 1863 diary includes a description of the Battle of Gettysburg (1-3 July 1863).
Dates
- 1861 - 1865
Creator
- Koontz family (Family)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
The Koontz family hailed from Edinburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia.
George Koontz (1839-1925) enlisted in the Eighth Star New Market Artillery, Captain Rice's artillery battery, in 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War and served all four years in the artillery. George reenlisted in 1862, was appointed 1st Sgt., and was reassigned to the Danville artillery in September of 1862, when the Eighth Star New Market Artillery merged with the Danville Artillery. He was promoted to 1st Lt. in September of 1864. George Koontz was wounded during the Petersburg Siege. After the war, George Koontz married Mary C. "Molly" Newman. He served as the Edinburg county Treasurer for 30 years, from 1874 to 1904, and was also the Commander of the Shenandoah Camp of Confederate Veterans.
Milton Koontz (1840/41? - 1867), the brother of George, enlisted in 1862 and also joined the Eighth Star New Market Artillery. Like George, Milton was reassigned to the Danville artillery in 1862, but transferred to the 23rd Virginia Cavalry in 1864.
Sources Consulted:
Moore, Robert H., II. The Danville and Eighth Star New Market and Dixie Artillery. In The Virginia Regimental Histories Series. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1989.
Kleese, Richard B. 23rd Virginia Cavalry. In The Virginia Regimental Histories Series. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1996.
Extent
0.6 Cubic Feet (1 box; 1 oversize folder)
Abstract
This collection contains correspondence from three Confederate soldiers--brothers George and Milton Koontz and their cousin George Miller--as well as official documents, two diaries of Milton S. Koontz, George Koontz's copybook, Milton Koontz's sketchbook, a stationery box, and a pencil drawing. Materials dates from 1861 to 1865.
Arrangement
Materials in the collection are arranged in chronological order.
Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to Special Collections in August 1984.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Koontz Family Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Koontz Family Papers was completed in April 2014.
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Near Petersburg VA., July 16, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Nellie [Sister], Fort Jerusalem near Petersburg Va., July 22, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to his Mother, Near Petersburg, July 4, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Sister] Nellie, Fort McIntosh [Va.?], December 9, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Sister] Nellie, Price's Battery [Va.], December 3, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Battery #45 [Va.], March 31, 1865 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie, Near Quarter Price's Battery, December 31, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- List, Absentees from Co. G. 23 Regiment, VA, n.d. (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Family of] Capt. Geo. W. Wooding, [Spotsylvania County, VA.], n.d. (Ms1984-172)
- Song, The Southern Wagon, n.d. (Ms.1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie, Fort Jerusalem, Petersburg Va., September 11, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie [Koontz], Camp 12th Va Cavalry, April 21, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie, Camp 12th Va Cavalry, November 24, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie [Koontz], Camp 12th Va Cavalry, September 26, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie [Koontz], Camp near Brandy Station, June 8, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Nellie, n.d. (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie [Koontz], Camp near Louisa C. House, March 8, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George M. Miller to Cousin Nellie [Koontz], Camp near Ripham's Store, October 4, 1862 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Camp near Orange C.H. Va., August 29, 1863
- Diary, Milton S. Koontz, 1865 (Ms1984-172)
- Special Order, to Milton S. Koontz, Northern Virginia, 17 November, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Diary, Milton S. Koontz, June 10, 1863 to December 31, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, D.G. Mcintosh to George M. Philips, April 2, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Angus J. Ridgill to Nellie Koontz, Camp Near Orange C.H. Va., August 17, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Samuel Wightman to Friends, Jan 12, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Sketchbook, Milton S. Koontz, 1865 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Samuel Riggs, Camp McIntosh [Va.], February 19, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Brig Cambell to Doctor, Lacy Spring [Va.?], December 8, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, At Aunt Ellie's, November 24, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Copybook, Milton S. Koontz, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Brother [George?], Battery 45 near Petersburg [Va.], November 25, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Trenches near Petersburg [Va.], November 8, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, M.K. to Pvt. G.W. Koontz, October 10, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Camp near Bowling Green, Carolina County Va., January 13, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Camp near Mitchell's Station Va., August 2, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to his Mother, Rice's Battery, N.D. (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Camp near Battletown Va., November 4, 1862 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, Milton S. Koontz to Sister [Nellie], Trenches near Petersburg [Va.], December 8, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister [Nellie?], Near Petersburg Va., June 28, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Mother, Camp in an old field, May 15, 1864 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Mother, Camp near Orange Court House Va., August 13, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Sister] Nellie, Camp Taylor, Orange Va., May 3, 1864, (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Sister] Nellie, Camp Rapid Ann Station, December 5, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie, Camp Garrett [West Virginia], June 21, 1861(Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Mother, Hevener's Store Va., October 1, 1861 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie, Camp Greenbrier River Va., August 21, 1861 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie, Camp Culpeper C. H. [Va.], July 26, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to [Sister] Nellie, Camp Bowling Green Va., February 25, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Letter, George W. Koontz to Sister Nellie & Cousin Alice, Camp Near Hamilton Crossing [Va.], May 9, 1863 (Ms1984-172)
- Title
- Koontz Family Papers, 1861-1865
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Alexandra Dowrey, Graduate Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
- Date
- 2014 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2020-08-07: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
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