Ludwell H. Estes Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter written by Ludwell H. Estes, postmaster at Columbia, Tennessee during the outbreak of the American Civil War. Written from Columbia to Estes' brother, W. I. A. [William Isaac Addison] Estes in Corinth, the letter is dated May 12, 1861. Estes provides information on the organization of local Confederate forces and participation by family and friends. "Henry and Hunter both joined Abe Looney's Company," Estes writes, "which is now in Camp about 75 miles from Nashville ..." He adds that many local men have marching orders, probably for Kentucky, "as Louisville was blockaded day before yesterday and the R.R. ... are threatened to be torn up." Estes asks his brother to purchase and send him a Colt Navy revolver, then informs William that he has recently been appointed Columbia posmaster ("now discharging that duty under old Abe, hope to be transferd to Jeff Davis verry soon"). Estes notes that the state will vote on secession on June 8 and that the governor has called for 55 thousand army volunteers. "Maury [County] has sent off about 4 Companies and there is now 5 or six more that will start during this week," Estes adds.
Dates
- 1861
Creator
- Estes, Ludwell H. (Person)
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
Ludwell Hunter Estes, son of Lyddal Bacon Estes, was born in Columbia (Maury County), Tennessee on July 18, 1810. Among his siblings was William Isaac Addison Estes (1818-1893). Ludwell Estes married Anne C. Neal on March 16, 1834; the couple would have nine children. The family of L. H. Estes is recorded in the 1860 federal census as residents of Maury County, the occupation of head of household L. H. Estes listed as tailor. Estes was appointed postmaster of Columbia in January 1861. The 1870 federal census shows the Estes family still living in Columbia, with Ludwell Estes' occupation given as "agt s machines" (probably sewing machine agent). By 1880, L. H. and "Ann" Estes were living in the Jackson, Tennessee home of their daughter, Gertrude Estes Munson. Ludwell H. Estes died on October 23, 1887, and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville (Madison County), Alabama.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter from Ludwell H. Estes, postmaster at Columbia, Tennessee, written to brother, W. I. A. Estes, in Corinth, Tennessee, and focusing on the local organization of Confederate troops and the impending vote on Tennessee's secession from the Union.
Source of Acquisition
The Ludwell H. Estes Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Ludwell H. Estes Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
General
This item had been purchased, accessioned, and originally cataloged as the Ludmill Estes Letter, but closer examination and research in 2021 revealed that Ludwell Estes Letter would be a more accurate title.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Ludwell H. Estes Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- Ludwell H. Estes 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
- 2020-09-01: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-05-13: 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.
- 2021-05-14: LM Rozema corrected name from Ludmill M. Estes to Ludwell H. Estes, after finding records on Ancestry.com for Estes and reviewing letter.
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