Skip to main content

James H. Reid papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0222
This collection consists of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of James H. Reid. Included are 14 letters from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI, August - November 1862. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including use of the term "rat" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty and other aspects of life at VMI during the Civil War.

The papers contain one letter (dated March 7 1864) written while Reid was serving with the 13th Virginia Light Artillery Regiment, Confederate Army.

Also included are four letters dating between 1865 and 1867.

Dates

  • 1862-1867

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

18 items

Biographical / Historical

James Henry Reid, Jr. was born at Brentsville, Prince William County, Virginia in 1845. His parents were James Henry Reid, Sr. and Amy Ann Tolson. Reid entered VMI in 1862 and resigned in January 1864 to join the Confederate Army. He served from 1864 to 1865 as a Private in Company A, 13th Battalion Virginia Light Artillery (Otey's Battery) and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.

During the post-War years, Reid engaged in many professions, including that of teacher, justice of the peace, notary public, bookkeeper, banker, and farmer. He married Beulah Reese on December 10, 1868, at Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia. They had several children. Living in 1921, were J. Henry, Jr., William, David, Beulah, and Amy. Much of Reid's life was spent in Prince William County, Virginia, where he died in 1921. He is buried in Manassas, Virginia.

Physical Location

Manuscripts Stacks
Title
A Guide to the James Henry Reid Papers, 1862-1867
Author
Diane B. Jacob
Date
© 2002 Virginia Military Institute Archives
Language of description
Description is in English

Revision Statements

  • finding aid revision date not supplied: Feb 16, 2004 PUBLIC "-//Virginia Military Institute::Preston Library::Archives//TEXT (US::ViLxV::vilxv00028::A Guide to the James Henry Reid Papers)//EN" "vilxv00028.xml"converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Feb 26, 2004 converted to conform to eadVIVA.dtd by vivastrict.xsl

Repository Details

Part of the Virginia Military Institute Archives Repository

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