The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC05469 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to the 1860s |
| Title | Nine letters (from letterbook) written by General Gustavus Woodson Smith] |
| Date | 21 November 1862- 2 December 1862 |
| Author | Smith, Gustavus Woodson (1821-1896) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written while Smith was commander of defenses at Richmond (expanded to become the Department of Virginia and North Carolina). Contains a dispatch from Smith to the officer in command of Fredericksburg, Virginia dated 21 November 1862, stating that the Mayor of Fredericksburg telegraphed Smith the news that Fredericksburg is to be shelled the following day. Smith asks if he should send cars for the removal of women and children. Contains a letter from Smith to General William H. C. Whiting at Wilmington, North Carolina (21 November), assuring Whiting that everything practicable will be done to increase Whiting's defenses, and encouraging Whiting to coordinate with General Samuel French, also in North Carolina. Includes a letter in which Smith informs General Robert E. Lee that enemy forces plan to "strike determined blows South of the James river" (26 November 1862). Contains a letter to General French (29 November), and another to Whiting (29 November) in which Smith states he will not be able to obtain men or guns from Lee. Includes two letters to Lee (both 2 December): one discusses Captain Beckham, the other military passes. Mentions Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War for the Union. |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Confederate General or Leader Confederate States of America Battle of Fredericksburg Battle Union Forces Children and Family Women's History Railroad Refugees Weaponry Lincoln's Cabinet Letterbook |
| People | Smith, Gustavus Woodson (1821-1896) Whiting, William Henry Chase (1824-1865) French, Samuel Gibbs (1818-1910) Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1807-1870) Stanton, E. M. (Edwin McMasters) (1814-1869) |
| Place written | Richmond, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Government & Politics; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945 |
| Additional Information | Smith served as Confederate Secretary of War (ad interim) 17-21 November 1862. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |