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Charles H. Gray Letter

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1989-028

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single, 10-page letter from Charles H. Gray, of Company C, 4th Ohio Infantry during the American Civil War. Written to Gray's brother from Beverly, Virginia (now West Virginia) on patriotic stationery, the letter describes Gray's part in the recent Union advance on Beverly, Virginia (now West Virginia), and a report on the Battle of Rich Mountain. The letter was written over a period of two days (July 13-14, 1861) and provides a summary of the regiment's movements and battle engagements over the preceding few weeks from Clarksburg to Huttonsville and on to Cheat Mountain. He describes the hardships endured in camp, march, and battle but concludes "we are now repaid for all," as "[t]he secessionist[s] are all cleaned out of Western Virginia."

Dates

  • 1861

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to 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

Charles H. Gray, son of Frederick and Nancy Ann Chamberlain Gray, was born in Ohio on Februrary 10, 1840. The 1860 federal census lists him living in the Miami County, Ohio home of his parents and working as a teacher. On June 3, 1861, Gray enlisted in Company C, 4th Ohio Infantry; he was promoted to corporal on October 1, 1862. Gray sustained injuries while falling from a railroad car near Washington, D. C. and died soon afterward of typhoid at Harpers Ferry, (West) Virginia on November 23, 1862. He was buried in Fletcher Cemetery, Fletcher (Miami County), Ohio.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

Letter from Charles H. Gray (1840-1862), of Company C, 4th Ohio Infantry during the American Civil War, written to his brother July 13-14, 1861, and providing an account of his part in the Union advance on Beverly, Virginia (now West Virginia) and a report on the Battle of Rich Mountain.

Source of Acquisition

The Charles H. Gray Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Charles H. Gray Letter 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 and description of the Charles H. Gray Letter commenced and was completed in January 2022.

Title
Charles H. Gray Letter, 1861
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson
Date
2022 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020-08-28: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
  • 2021-04-26: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308