Nelson S. Walker Letter
Scope and Content
The Nelson S. Walker Letter dates to December 19, 1861, from Lieutenant Walker of F Company, 2nd Battalion Mississippi Infantry, Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, from Camp Magruder in Yorktown, Virginia, to his cousin, D. G. Walker in Mississippi. He describes the experiences of the early Civil War while his unit transfers from Richmond to the Confederate positions near Camp Magruder on the Virginia Peninsula. These experences include losing men to poor health, being issued new Enfield rifles, and being on high alert for Union attacks.
Dates
- 1861
Creator
- Walker, Nelson S., 1835-1895 (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
Born in Herikmer County, New York, Nelson S. Walker (1835-1895) settled in Claiborne County, Mississippi in early adulthood. Walker first lived in Grand Gulf and worked for a mercantile firm. In 1860, he moved to Port Gibson and worked in the dry goods house of J. L. Kennard.
When the American Civil War began, Walker enlisted in the local Claiborne Volunteers for the Confederate States. During reorganization in Virginia, Walker was elected first lieutenant of F Company, Claiborne Volunteers, which formed a part of the 2nd Mississippi Batallion and eventually merged into the 48th Mississippi Volunteers. In 1864, he was promoted to captain and survived the war.
In 1866 he married Frances Kennard, and they had two children. He later served as circuit court and sheriff of Claiborne County.
Sources:
- "Capt Nelson S. Walker" entry, FindaGrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57203145/nelson-s.-walker
- "48th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry" entry, nps.gov, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=CMS0048RI
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This is a letter written by Lieutenant Nelson S. Walker of F Company, 2nd Battalion Mississippi Infantry from Camp Magruder in Yorktown, Virginia, to his cousin, D. G. Walker in Mississippi. He describes the units movements from Richmond to defensive positions on the Virginia Peninsula in preparation for upcoming engagements that will be known as the Peninsula Campaign in the spring and summer of 1862. In 1861, Walker enlisted in the local Claiborne Volunteers for the Confederate States. During reorganization in Virginia, Walker was elected first lieutenant of F Company, Claiborne Volunteers, which formed a part of the 2nd Mississippi Batallion and eventually merged into the 48th Mississippi Volunteers. In 1864, he was promoted to captain and survived the war.
Source of Acquisition
The Nelson S. Walker Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in October 2019.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Nelson S. Walker 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, arrangement, and description of the Nelson S. Walker Letter commenced and completed in July 2021.
- Title
- Nelson S. Walker Letter, 1861
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Miles Abernethy, Student Worker
- Date
- 2021 (CC0 1.0)
- 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