William G. Watson Civil War Memoirs

Collection

Identifier: MS-0037

Staff Only

Two versions of the Civil War memoirs of a Union soldier who served during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864. Unbound manuscript consists of 77 pages, probably written soon after the end of the war.

This detailed account of his service includes information about the burning of the Virginia Military Institute by General David Hunter in June 1864; the advance on Lynchburg, Virginia; and his unit's retreat after the Battle of Lynchburg to Charleston and Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Version 1 consists of 41 pages; version 2 (36 pages) covers much of the same material but also includes a section entitled "Our Cavalry and their Services."

Dates

1866
Other: covers period 1864

Creator

Watson, William G. (William Gerard), 1837-1922 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Extent

1 items (77 p. (1 items) )

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

William G. Watson was a Union soldier who served as a Sergeant in the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry; during the summer of 1864 his unit fought in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.