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Hackley Family World War I Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2025-045

Scope and Content

The collection contains four letters sent during World War I. The first was sent from France on October 6, 1917. The letter was handwritten by Sgt. Dan P. Wood and addressed to Alice M. Hackley, his aunt. Dan writes about memories of a friend and his hopes for a reunion when everyone returns home. The second letter was sent from France on November 1, 1917, and was handwritten by William H. Beach. It is addressed to W.B. Hackley, a fellow soldier. William writes that he is unsure of where Hackley is and the intention of the letter is to locate him. Letter three was a typed letter, sent on January 30, 1918, by Dan Hackley and was addressed to Woodford Hackley. He writes that he has been stationed at three different towns while in France and he wonders if Woodford has arrived there yet. He also questions Woodford's work at the University of Virginia hospital unit. The fourth letter was handwritten and sent on December 18, 1918 to Woodford Hackley. The letter informs Woodoford that the sender has arrived in France.

Dates

  • 1917 - 1918

Language of Materials

The material in this collection is 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

Woodford B. Hackley was born August 2, 1894, in Culpeper County, Virginia. His father was Walter Hackley and mother was Alice Wood Hackley. He was enlisted into military service on September 28, 1917, and was discharged April 10, 1919. He married Elizabeth Clair Blair, who died in 1987. Woodford died on September 24, 1978.

External sources:

Woodford Broadus Hackley. February 13, 2007. Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17917465/woodford_broadus-hackley. Accessed June 16, 2025.

Woodford Broadus Hackley in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010. Ancestry Library. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/2441/records/7551313. Accessed June 16, 2025.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

The collection contains four letters sent from France during World War I. The letters were primarly sent between soldiers asking where they are located or if they have arrived in France. The recipent for three of the letters was Woodford Hackley, and soldier enlisted in 1917.

Source of Acquisition

The Hackley Family World War I Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in July 2016.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Hackley Family World War I Correspondence 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 Hackley Family World War I Correspondence was completed in June 2025.

Title
Hackley Family World War I Correspondence
Status
Completed
Author
Olivia Tingle, Student Assistant
Date
2025 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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