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Andrew C.L. Gatewood Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0068
The bulk of the papers consist of 28 letters written by Gatewood to his parents and other family members, 1860-1864.Early letters describe life at the Virginia Military Institute (hazing, daily routine, excitement about secession, cadets as drillmasters) and in Lexington, Virginia, just prior to and during early months of the Civil War. Subsequent letters date from his service with the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment,Company F, (Bath Squadron), including a letter written after the second Battle of Manassas (2nd Bull Run), Sept 1862. The papers also include a "History of the Bath Squadron," consisting of manuscript fragment, copies of a series of published newspaper articles concerning the unit, and an edited transcription; miscellaneous publications concerning Confederate veterans reunions; and Gatewood's VMI cadet account book.

Dates

  • 1860-1864

Creator

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

35 items

Biographical / Historical

Andrew Cameron Lewis Gatewood was born at Mountain Grove, Bath County, Virginia, on June 30, 1843, the son of Samuel Vance Gatewood (1810-1861) and Eugenia Sophia Massie (1819-1884). Gatewood entered the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, Virginia in July 1860, where he served as a cadet until the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861. On April 16, 1861, he accompanied the Corps of Cadets to Richmond, Virginia, where he served as a drillmaster to new Confederate recruits; he subsequently served in the same capacity under General Robert S. Garnett at Laurel Hill, Barbour Co., West Virginia. He joined the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment in March 1862 and was elected 2nd Lieutenant, "F" Company (Bath Squadron); he served in this unit until the end of the war.

At the close of the Civil War, Gatewood returned to Bath County. His father had died suddenly in 1861, without leaving a will, and as the oldest son Andrew took on responsibility for his family's affairs. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Skillern Warwick (1845-1922) in 1869. The couple moved to Big Spring, Pocahontas Co., West Virginia in 1877, where Gatewood spent the remainder of his life working as a farmer and stock raiser. Mary and Andrew Gatewood had 7 children: William Beale; Eugene Samuel; Massie Cameron; Andrew Warwick; Mary Preston; Eliza Pleasants, and one child who died in infancy. Andrew C. L. Gatewood died July 31, 1919, at Pocahontas Co.

Physical Location

Manuscripts Stacks

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of John M. Dunlap.

Title
A Guide to the Andrew C.L. Gatewood Papers, 1860-1864
Author
VMI Archives Staff, April 1979; revised April 2000
Date
© 2000 Virginia Military Institute Archives
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Repository

Contact:
VMI Archives
Preston Library
Lexington VA 24450
540-464-7516