James A. Harden Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0476

Staff Only

The bulk of the collection consists of letters written by James Harden to his sister, covering wartime events experienced by his unit as well as his time at Ft. Delaware. Also included is one letter written from VMI in June 1861 and miscellaneous items.

Dates

Majority of material found in 1861-1865

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

27 items (approximately 27 items)

Additional Description

Contents Note

James A. Harden came to VMI in the early summer of 1861 to receive military training. After a few weeks he joined the Confederate Army, serving with the 36th Virginia Infantry Regiment and the 23rd Virginia Battalion before being captured at the third battle of Winchester. He was held at Ft. Delware until the end of the war.

Born- Dec. 8, 1841 in Greenville, Augusta Co. Va. Father- D.M. Harden of Ky.; Mother- Eliza Ann Gibbons of Va. No information about grandparents. Married- Winnie Ella Berkey of Buckingham Co. Va. Children- 1- Susan Mary (m) Hawrahan; 2- Annie Tupper (m) Moore; 3- Mildred Lee (m) Medlin; 4- David Humphreys Harden; 5- James Edwin Harden; 6- Capt. Edward Lee Harden; 7- Dixie May Harden; 8- Benjamin Harden.

VMI Record: Entered VMI- June 4, 1861; Trained in Military Science and Tactics for one month before joining the C.S.A.

Civil War Record- Enlisted in the 36th Va. Regiment; Appointed Sgt. Maj. Aug 10, 1861; Shown as Acting Assistant Adjutant General in the 2nd Brigade Army of the Kanawha in Nov. 1861; Resigned and discharged March 25, 1862; Became Acting Adjutant for the 23rd Va. Battalion sometime in the summer of 1862; Appointed 1st Lieut. and Adjutant of the 23rd Battalion Nov. 20, 1862; Praised for "distinguished gallantry" at Droop Mountain Nov. 1863; Captured at the Third Battle of Winchester; Held at Ft. Delaware, DE.; Released on oath June 12, 1865.

Careers: Railroad Agent

Died- Sept. 7, 1927 in Dillwyn, Va.