1861 letters written by Charles and Lawrence Berry

Name/Title

1861 letters written by Charles and Lawrence Berry

Entry/Object ID

ARC103

Scope and Content

Four-pages on which two letters dated June 14, 1861, are written from Charlestown by two brothers, Charles J. Berry and Lawrence Lee Griggs Berry, to their father. At the time the letter was written, both were in the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. Charles Berry mentions the Virginia troops evacuating Harpers Ferry and burning bridges at Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown as they retreated. The rest of the letter concerns family and friends. Lawrence Berry comments on the fate of his school, Harpers Ferry evacuation, and a skirmish at Romney. With the letter are a typed and annotated transcription by JCM historian Doug Perks and a copy of four documents accompanying the letter at purchase: transcription and three notes on the service of Charles James Berry and Lawrence Lee Griggs Berry. Context: On April 17, 1861, a Virginia convention, called to consider secession from the United States, voted to secede, ordered a state referendum in mid-May for voters (white men) to decide the secession question, and further ordered that all federal property in the state be seized on April 18, 1861, including the armory and arsenal at Harpers Ferry. By the date this letter was written, the arsenal was destroyed, the armory and rifle works machinery was being dismantled to send to southern armories,

Acquisition

Accession

62

Source or Donor

Jefferson County Museum

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Archive Details

Date(s) of Creation

Jun 1861

Archive Notes

Date(s): 1861 June 14