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William W. Tinkle Letter

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1989-048

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by William W. Tinkle, serving in Company F, 7th Indiana Infantry during the American Civil War. The letter was written to Captain J. M. Jones from the front near Petersburg, Virginia on July 10, 1864. After providing "a list of all the killd wounded and mising Axcept a few that was slitly wounded ..." from Company F during the previous 11 weeks, Tinkle describes the company's movements and battle engagements since May 4. He mentions a temporary truce on his section of the front and fighting between pickets and artillery in other sections. He then describes conditions in the breastworks ("It is very fatiguable lying in the ditches all the time and the heat makes it all most suffocating ...") and the beauty he finds in the midst of battle ("It is a nice show at night to see the artilery and Mortars work th[r]ow their shell in rain bow fashion leaving a long tail of fire behind ... I love to set and watch the pickets fi[r]e it is flash flash like so many fire flies ..."

Dates

  • 1864

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The 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

William W. Tinkle was born in Johnson County, Indiana on May 7, 1841. Tinkle enlisted as a private in Company F, 7th Indiana Infantry on September 13, 1861. He was promoted to corporal on July 14, 1862. On September 20, 1864, he transferred to Company G, 20th Infantry and was promoted to sergeant on January 1, 1865. He was discharged at Indianapolis on May 31, 1865. Following the war, Tinkle moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where he married Tentie Burrel. The Tinkles moved to Woodburn (Marion County), Oregon, ca. 1904. William W. Tinkle died in Marion County on September 1, 1917, and was buried in Belle Passi Cemetery, Woodburn.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

Letter from William W. Tinkle, serving in Company F, 7th Indiana Infantry during the American Civil War, written to Captain J. M. Jones from the war front near Petersburg, Virginia, on July 10, 1864, describing conditions on the front and including a list of his company's casualties during the previous 11 weeks.

Source of Acquisition

The William W. Tinkle Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William W. Tinkle 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 William W. Tinkle Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Title
William W. Tinkle Letter, 1864
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

  • 2020-08-31: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
  • 2021-05-10: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing, bio note), 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