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M. A. Bentley Letters

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1990-015

Scope and Content

This collection contains two letters from M. A. Bentley, a Confederate soldier, possibly serving with a Virginia unit, during the American Civil War. The letters, both addressed to Bentley's father, John E. Bentley, were written from hospitals in Liberty (now Bedford) and Richmond, Virginia, on April 2 and September 2, respectively. Bentley's letters focus largely on personal matters, as he describes his health, his desire for more letters from home, and his religious faith. In the April 2 letter, Bentley writes at length with a prediction for dark days for the Confederacy: "[T]he cloud that is hovering over us looks veary dark and gloomey, it is the darkest cloud that ever over shadowed the eyes of this confederacy..." Bentley foresees a number of bloody battles, concluding, "[T]he hardest fightting that ever has bin done will be done this somer. The hills of the [saucy?] south will be full of wripling streams of blood." In the September 2 letter, he writes at length of religion and of religious services in camp.

Dates

  • 1863

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

M. A. Bentley served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, possibly with a Virginia unit. No further verifiable information could be found.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

Letter from M. A. Bentley, a soldier serving in the Confederate Army--possibly with a Virginia unit--during the American Civil War, written from hospitals in Liberty (now Bedford) and Richmond, Virginia, commenting on his health, his religious faith, the Confederacy's prospects, and church services in camp.

Source of Acquisition

The M. A. Bentley Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in two accessions: the September 2, 1863 letter was purchased in 1990; the April 2, 1863 letter was purchased in 2017.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the M. A. Bentley Letters 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 M. A. Bentley Letters commenced and was completed in August, 2022.

Title
M. A. Bentley Letters, 1863
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

  • 2020-09-08: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
  • 2021-03-11: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title and filing titles, 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