John H. Black Letter
Scope and Content
This letter consists of a single letter written by Lieutenant John H. Black of Company G, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry during the American Civil War. Written from the headquarters of Company G at Bolivar Heights, Virginia (now West Virginia) on October 21, 1864, the letter is addressed to Black's wife, Jennie Leighty Black. Black expresses appreciation for his wife's letters and for his own good health, "the best earthly gift a soldier can possess." Black then relays news of the Battle of Cedar Creek, noting the personnel and equipment captured by Union forces and concluding that "Sheridan is the man for the Shenandoah Valley." After discussing news of personal acquaintances, Black notes that the regiment is receiving recruits to replace casualties of the summer's campaign.
Dates
- 1864
Creator
- Black, John 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
John Henry Black, son of Jacob and Mary M. Swoveland Black, was born in Canan (Blair County), Pennsylvania on July 28, 1834. After attending Tuscarawa Academy, Black worked as a schoolteacher. On April 22, 1861, he enlisted as a corporal in Company H, 14th Pennsylvania Infantry, a three-month regiment, which mustered out on August 7. On December 10, he enlisted in Company G, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Following two years' service, he re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company as a veteran with the rank of first sergeant and was later promoted to first lieutenant and eventually captain. He married Susan Jane "Jennie" Leighty during the war; the couple would have two daughters. Seriously wounded on March 21, 1865, Black was discharged on July 20. Returning to Blair County following the war, Black resumed teaching and later served a a member of the Duncansville Board of Education and as Blair County treasurer. John H. Black died in Duncansville on May 10, 1922, and was buried in Carson Valley Cemetery, Duncansville.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter from John Henry Black, lieutenant in Company G, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry during the American Civil War, written at Bolivar Heights, Virginia (now West Virginia) on October 21, 1864 to his wife Jennie, focusing on the recent Battle of Cedar Creek and the arrival of new recruits.
Source of Acquisition
The John H. Black Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the John H. Black 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 John H. Black Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- John H. Black 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
- 2020-09-02: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-05-20: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing, bio, related), 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
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