Collection: John Hardy Shields letters

Letters (3 items) written by Cadet John H. Shields to his parents while he was a cadet at VMI. Items are dated March 24 and April 7, 1864, and undated letter fragment. In addition to routine matters, letter of March 24 mentions faculty member Thomas H. Williamson going to Panther's Gap to "survey the land, and make arrangements for throwing up fortifications and breastworks"; and discusses how cadets coped with the rationing of food.

Miscellaneous unrelated document: field dispatch, July 31, 1862, from A.P. Mason to Brig. Gen. Charles S. Winder mentioning Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Addition 2009 April: Photocopy of letter dated February 14, 1863. Largely family news; visit from father; "my 'rat hood' is now, nearly out. I shall [have] all the privileges of an old cadet very soon."

Dates

1862 - 1864

Creator

Shields, John H. (John Hardy), 1846-1875 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

There are no known restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. The VMI Archives must be cited as the source of the content in publication. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Extent

4 items (4 items)

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

John H Shields b. 1846 Lynchburg, Virginia; graduate Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1867; New Market cadet; after Civil War was businessman in Richmond, Va.; d. 1875.