Name/Title
1861 letter from William C. Hawkins at Harpers FerryEntry/Object ID
ARC102Scope and Content
Four-page letter dated April 21, 1861, written in ink by William C. Hawkins, 4th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, from Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to his wife Fannie. Author mentions his health, the trip from home to Mt. Jackson and then to Strasburg, an amusing incident about soldiers' behavior at mealtime, the location of his quarters above the bridge and town, a trip to town for provisions, the approach of enemy troops (which turned out to be a ruse), the proclamation of victory by the Virginia Volunteers, the number of soldiers at Harpers Ferry (five to six thousand), his prediction of little fighting, and the comfortable quarters.
With the letter are a typed and annotated transcription by JCM historian Doug Perks and a note from the sale catalog of another auction.
Context: On April 17, 1861, a Virginia convention called to consider secession from the United States, voted to secede and ordered a state referendum for voters (white men) to decide the secession question. In addition, the convention ordered that all federal property in the state be seized on April 18, 1861, including the armory and arsenal at Harpers Ferry. By the time Turner Ashby and Virginia Volunteers arrived at Harpers Ferry on the 18th, the U.S. Army had destroyed the arsenal and set fire to the armory before leaving Harpers Ferry. The Virginia Volunteers and townspeople put the fire out and began dismantling the machinery at the armory and Hall's Rifle Works in order to send it to southern armories. Harpers Ferry then became a garrison, including an intake site for additional Virginia volunteers.Acquisition
Accession
62Source or Donor
Jefferson County MuseumAcquisition Method
PurchaseArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
Apr 1861Archive Notes
Date(s): 1861 April 21