Tag Archives: University of North Carolina

21 November 1864: “I would willingly enter the army this winter with the consent of my parents, still if Father can raise the funds I presume I will be allowed to graduate.”

Item Description: Letter from John Steele Henderson to his mother, Mary Ferrand Henderson. He writes that he needs more money for his tuition or he will be forced to leave the University of North Carolina.  He is due to come … Continue reading

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26 October 1864: “Have you been down the factory to see the prisoners?”

  Item Description: A letter from John Henderson while he was at the University of North Carolina to his young siblings. He went on to become a member of Congress.   Item Citation: From Folder 36, in the John S. … Continue reading

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6 November 1863: “I must express to you the great gratification and interest felt in perusing the report, which will be filed at this office with pride as a North Carolinian”

Item Description: Letter, 6 November 1863, from Col. Peter Mallett, Commandant for Conscripts, to University of North Carolina President David L. Swain, notifying Swain of the War Department’s acceptance of his request to exempt UNC seniors from conscription. [Item transcription available … Continue reading

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22 August 1863: “You say Father says I must “come down a peg or two;” I am willing, if he can prove to me that I am spending more than the necessary amount of money to carry me through this session.”

Item Description: Letter dated August 22, 1863 from John S. Henderson to his mother, sent from the University of North Carolina. The letter features a disagreement about living expenses between father and son (via his mother) that would likely resonate with … Continue reading

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4 May 1863: ” [Commencement] came off without much excitement, eight graduates; the number in peace time was between eighty & ninety.”

Item description:  Letter, May 4, 1863 from John Steele Henderson to his mother.  Henderson describes the significant loss of UNC’s student body due to the war.  While he shares his experience speaking at Commencement, Henderson express more concern with securing a pair of shoes. … Continue reading

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22 December 1862: “Mr. H. was absent from the final examination without permission. His general deportment has been good.”

Item description: Report card, dated 22 December 1862, for John Steele Henderson, a student at the University of North Carolina. More about John Steele Henderson: John Steele Henderson (1846-1916) was born in North Carolina, the son of Archibald and Mary Henderson. … Continue reading

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1 December 1862: “dried fruit, red pepper, sugar, a jug of molasses, jelly, some preserves, a pone of lightbread, some sweet cakes, a bottle or two of ketchup, pepper sauce, etc.”

Item description: Letter, 1 December 1862, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his mother Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He comments extensively on food, clothing and supplies, including the provisions being used by his body servant “Press.” More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson … Continue reading

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26 November 1862: “having received an imperative order to cause Sandals to be made from Beef Hides for the barefooted men of his Company…did fail to Carry out Said order…”

Item description: Charge for disobedience of orders, dated 26 November 1862, as filed against Edward H. Armstrong of Company G, 3rd North Carolina Troops. Item citation: From the Julien Dwight Martin Papers #3639-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North … Continue reading

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6 November 1862: “Press is a faithful servant to me considering the chances he has. I am satisfied with him.”

Item description: Letter, 6 November 1862, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). Thomson reports on the status of his regiment following the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). He also mentions his satisfaction with his body … Continue reading

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28 August 1862: “Very soon after I left last January nearly all the students left and went to war; some were called out by the draft some were taken by the Conscription law and some went voluntarily, So nearly all left…”

Item description: In this letter of 28 August 1862, Preston H. Sessoms writes from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., to his sister Bettie. Sessoms tells his sister that only 50 students are enrolled, and board is expensive. … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 28 August 1862: “Very soon after I left last January nearly all the students left and went to war; some were called out by the draft some were taken by the Conscription law and some went voluntarily, So nearly all left…”