Henry P. Humphreys Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter written by Henry P. Humphreys of Company C, 66th Illinois Infantry, to his sister, Emeline (Phebe Emeline Humphreys). Writing from headquaters of the left wing, XVI Army Corps at Big Shanty, Georgia, Humphreys reports from the Atlanta Campaign and describes the death of Confederate General Leonidas Polk. He briefly describes the Confederate defenses and favors a flank movement to overcome them. Humphreys continues by expressing concern over the recent depreciation of U. S. currency and the growth of debt ("I fear our national debt will get so large we will none of us outlive it."), then expresses confidence in the Union's generals.
Dates
- 1864
Creator
- Humphreys, Henry P. (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
Henry Perry Humphreys, son of Hiram and Deborah Veits Case Humphreys, was born in Kentucky or Indiana on October 20, 1837. He married Elizabeth Ann Fisher (1841-1905); the couple would have five children. The 1860 federal census lists the family living and farming in Mineral (Bureau County), Illinois. On September 18, 1862, Humphreys (as Henry Humphries) enlisted in Company C, 14th Missouri Infantry, which later became the 66th Illinois Infantry, at Sheffield, Illinois. He was discharged on August 16, 1864, to accept promotion to first lieutenant and adjutant of the 5th U. S. Colored Troops. Following the war, Humphreys returned to Bureau County; the 1870 federal census shows the Humphreys living in Concord, with Henry employed as a photographer. By 1880, Humphreys was working as a merchant. Henry P. Humphreys died on September 19, 1912, and was buried in Sheffield Cemetery.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter from by Henry P. Humphreys, of Company C, 66th Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War, written at Big Shanty, Georgia on June 16, 1864, to sister Emeline, focusing on the Atlanta Campaign, the death of Confederate General Leonidas Polk, and concerns over depreciation of U. S. currency.
Source of Acquisition
The Henry P. Humphreys Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Henry P. Humphreys 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 collection had been donated, accessioned, and originally cataloged as the "Henry P. Humphrey Letter." Examination of the signature and of various military records and other documents suggested that the "Henry P. Humphreys Letter" would be the more accurate title, though some records show the surname as Humphrey or Humphries.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Henry P. Humphreys Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- Henry P. Humphreys 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 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
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