CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
Virginia was a critical battleground during the Civil War. Not only was Richmond the seat of the Confederate government, but the Commonwealth was also the site of some of the war’s major battles. Tens of thousands of Virginians fought in the Civil War. About 155,000 joined the Confederate military and an estimated 32,000 served the United States. Countless soldiers on both sides wrote letters to family and friends about their experiences.
The author of this incomplete letter dated August 20, 1862, is unknown, but the name John DeBell was added in the top left corner and he may have been the writer. He recounts recent events he had experienced, describing Confederate successes and mocking Union General George McClellan. He refers to McClellan as “the Young Napoleon,” a nickname bestowed on him by newspapers early in the war. McClellan failed to capture Richmond in 1862. Instead, he retreated in response to Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s attacks during the Seven Days Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862). McClellan described his retreat as merely “changing your base of operations” in an announcement to the Union Army of the Potomac, which was mocked by both Union and Confederate soldiers, including the author of this letter.
The letter's author wrote about the recent Battle of Cedar Mountain, which he referred to as “Cedar Run.” In the battle on August 9, 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson defeated Union General Nathaniel Banks’s force that was a part of the larger Union Army of Virginia under General John Pope. The author described the numbers of men engaged and the arms and equipment captured, as well as the capture of Union General Henry Prince. He also jokes about General Pope. This was the first battle in the second Manassas campaign, and it enabled General Lee to shift focus from the tidewater to northern Virginia, bringing the war closer to Washington, D.C., and northern states.
The writer of the letter also asked his wife about what was happening at home, including the activities of the people he enslaved. His letter reflects the already-problematic shortages faced by southerners on the homefront as he acknowledged that he needed winter clothing, but prices were so high he could not afford them, and that he did not have extra money to send home. He warns her to stockpile supplies in anticipation of the winter months. Despite this, he was optimistic about the Confederacy being able to win the war quickly. The last pages of this letter are missing, but despite this it illustrates what may have been a typical Confederate soldier’s mindset in the first phase of the Civil War.
Citation: Letter, 20 August 1862, Accession 45497, Library of Virginia.
The author of this incomplete letter dated August 20, 1862, is unknown, but the name John DeBell was added in the top left corner and he may have been the writer. He recounts recent events he had experienced, describing Confederate successes and mocking Union General George McClellan. He refers to McClellan as “the Young Napoleon,” a nickname bestowed on him by newspapers early in the war. McClellan failed to capture Richmond in 1862. Instead, he retreated in response to Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s attacks during the Seven Days Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862). McClellan described his retreat as merely “changing your base of operations” in an announcement to the Union Army of the Potomac, which was mocked by both Union and Confederate soldiers, including the author of this letter.
The letter's author wrote about the recent Battle of Cedar Mountain, which he referred to as “Cedar Run.” In the battle on August 9, 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson defeated Union General Nathaniel Banks’s force that was a part of the larger Union Army of Virginia under General John Pope. The author described the numbers of men engaged and the arms and equipment captured, as well as the capture of Union General Henry Prince. He also jokes about General Pope. This was the first battle in the second Manassas campaign, and it enabled General Lee to shift focus from the tidewater to northern Virginia, bringing the war closer to Washington, D.C., and northern states.
The writer of the letter also asked his wife about what was happening at home, including the activities of the people he enslaved. His letter reflects the already-problematic shortages faced by southerners on the homefront as he acknowledged that he needed winter clothing, but prices were so high he could not afford them, and that he did not have extra money to send home. He warns her to stockpile supplies in anticipation of the winter months. Despite this, he was optimistic about the Confederacy being able to win the war quickly. The last pages of this letter are missing, but despite this it illustrates what may have been a typical Confederate soldier’s mindset in the first phase of the Civil War.
Citation: Letter, 20 August 1862, Accession 45497, Library of Virginia.
Standards
USI.9, VUS.9
Suggested Questions
Create a timeline: Using this website below and the document, illustrate on a timeline where this Confederate soldier had been and what battles he may have been in by the time he wrote this letter. Base it on his descriptions of the key players and sites he mentions. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/day-civil-war
Map it: On a Virginia map, plot the locations of the following: Seven Days Battles, Battle of Williamsburg, Battle of Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas. How far did writer of this letter travel in this period? What do you think life would be like in central Virginia at this time, and why?
Write Back: Imagine you were the letter writer’s wife. Write a letter back responding to him about what you have read. Would you be as optimistic about the Confederate army’s chances at this point? Why or why not?
Map it: On a Virginia map, plot the locations of the following: Seven Days Battles, Battle of Williamsburg, Battle of Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas. How far did writer of this letter travel in this period? What do you think life would be like in central Virginia at this time, and why?
Write Back: Imagine you were the letter writer’s wife. Write a letter back responding to him about what you have read. Would you be as optimistic about the Confederate army’s chances at this point? Why or why not?