John McCauley Letters
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a letter from John McCauley, a resident of Salem, Virginia during the American Civil War. Writing from Salem to "Edward" (most likely Edward A. McCauley) McCauley describes his recent trip and arrival at home. He advises Edward against accompanying his fellow soldiers when they steal from the local populace at night. ("You are stationary. There are few of you, and once suspected, the innocent among you will suffer in character with the guilty," he warns.) McCauley also relays news of an upcoming benefit exhibition being staged for soldiers in the area, to include "dialogues, music, tableau and a supper." McCauley predicts that the event will draw "a big crowd of spectators... if the small pox does not so spread as to prevent it."
The collection also includes a letter to "Susan," detailing excitement around the regiment's experiences in First Bull Run, written from Wytheville, July 1861.
Dates
- 1861, 1864
Creator
- McCauley, John, 1795-1864 (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 McCauley was a resident of Salem, Virginia during the American Civil War. He was most likely the same John McCauley (1795-1864) who played a prominent role in the formation of Roanoke County and represented the county in the Virginia General Assembly for approximately 17 years. With his second wife, Susan Dingledine McCauley, he fathered eight children: William, Calpernia, Isabella J., Virginia V., Edward A. (born ca. 1844), Charles A., Mary M., and Antoinette ("Nettie"). Another four children had been born to an earlier marriage.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
The collection contains a letter from John McCauley of Salem, Virginia to "Edward," describing arrival at home, advising Edward not to accompany fellow soldiers who steal from the local populace, and relaying news of an upcoming benefit exhibition for the soldiers in the area. Also includes a letter to "Susan," detailing excitement around the regiment's experiences in First Bull Run (1861).
Source of Acquisition
The first of the John McCauley Letters was purchased by Special Collections in 1994. The second letter was purchased in 2014.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the John McCauley 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 John McCauley Letters commenced and was completed in May 2009. Additional processing was completed in July 2017.
- Title
- John McCauley Letters, 1861, 1864
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson, Archivist
- Date
- 2009 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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