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Virginia Military Institute Archives
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Charles A. Derby Papers, mss 00030, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.
The Charles A. Derby Papers were donated to the Virginia Military Institute in 1976-1977 by Mrs. Margaret S. Clark.
Charles A. Derby, the son of Perry L. Derby and Martha [maiden name not known] was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered the Virginia Military Institute on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.
Following his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850's. His various positions included work as a private tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia; head of the Fairfax (VA)Academy; head of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama; professor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia; and as principal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama.
In 1856-1857 Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.
Derby married twice during the 1850's. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of her marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama. The couple had two daughters, Martha (b. October 1860) and Harriet (b. April 1862 d. February 1927).
A year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lt. Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, AL circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1872. His body was not recovered.
The bulk of the collection consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles Derby. The Charles Derby letters, 1844-1862, cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.
The papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby Family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell ("Mollie") and her husband, Samuel.
Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family miscellany.
All letters were written by Charles Derby unless noted otherwise.
Written from Petersburg, where he is in school; topics include his health, finances, misc. personal news.
Written by Charles's teacher to his father, Perry. Regarding Charles's chances for an appointment at the Virginia Military Institute, and obtaining letters of recommendation.
Regarding the difficult extraction of a tooth; disturbance in VMI Barracks in which cadets threw "missiles."
Regarding the arrival of new faculty member William Gilham; disciplinary action against cadets; health.
Regarding results of mid-year examinations; cadet Christmas celebration; severe snowstorm.
Regarding future teaching positions; controversy in Lexington Presbyterian Church- the pastor, Dr. Skinner, is "on trial" before the presbytery; graduating class has chosen speakers;
Discusses perseverance and value of hard work; problems with Chemistry and sciences; Christmas celebration by cadets
From Northumberland County, Virginia. Derby is a private instructor in the home of Mr. Harding, a wealthy landowner. Mentions family Christmas celebration; contrasts people of Dinwiddie and Northumberland; misc. news.
From Sumterville, Alabama. Regarding comfort of his lodgings with wealthy planter; social life; has become a Mason; misc. personal news.
Accepting Derby's resignation.
Regarding business arrangements for the Eutaw (AL) Academy
Announcing the opening of the Eutaw Institute.
From Eutaw, Alabama. Talks of his sadness and despair after the death of his wife Clara J. Hunt ("Jeanie"); was betrayed by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and has had to open a private school on his own.
From Eutaw, Alabama. Talks of his sadness and despair after the death of his wife Clara J. Hunt ("Jeanie"); was betrayed by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and has had to open a private school on his own.
From Eutaw, Alabama. His school is a success and he hopes to make more money in the next session; Eutaw is an area of wealthy planters where "grand parties and weddings come off at great expense;" money is plentiful, but "moral truth is below par here."
From Eutaw, Alabama. Has been ordained in the Protestant Episcopal Church on April 23 and has been given charge of St. Stephen's Church in Eutaw; is a deacon, and will be fully ordained after further study; is still busy with a school of "nearly sixty boys;" grieves for his wife.
From Dinwiddie, Virginia. Traveled to Philadelphia and Boston; preached at Christ Church in Norfolk; family news.
From Eutaw, Alabama. Congregation at St. Stephen's has grown; has friends; his school is prosperous; railroad is coming to Eutaw.
From Camden, Alabama. Married Miss Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, AL on December 28; general news.
From Camden, Alabama. Announces his marriage to Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, AL (b. England); discusses his new wife and his happiness with the marriage.
From Camden, Alabama. Discusses the success of his new church; since giving up teaching has time to prepare sermons and preach twice per week; reviews his teaching career; praises his wife.
From Camden, Alabama. Has just returned from visiting his wife's family in Cahaba.
From St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, AL. He and Charlotte are setting up housekeeping in new home; baby is well, eight weeks old;
From St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, AL. Regarding the murder of their cousin Edward Cousins
From St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, AL.
Regarding family members joining the Confederate
Army; Derby's frustration-
"My position as an Episcopal Clergyman
prevents me from carrying my scanty fund of
military knowledge into effect and all that I can
do is to drill a company now and then. The
preachers in the various denominations can fill
offices both civil and military. Not so the
clergymen of the Episcopal Church. However, if the
worst comes to the worst, I may break over the
prescribed limits at the risk of being deposed. I
feel like a man with his hands tied. The war has
begun. Where it will end the Great Creator alone
knows."
From St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, AL.
Congregation smaller due to the war; call
for troops from Lowndes, but the Governor
countermanded the order;
"In four hours I would have been Captain of
a company ready to set out for Mobile. I had made
all my arrangements to go, when the countermand
was received....But few Confederate soldiers are
left in Ala to protect her. She is consequently
dependent upon her militia for her defense.
Contrary to my expectation and very much to my
surprise I was recently elected Captain of the
Militia of Benton. Although the militia was not to
my taste, yet I did not feel at liberty to decline
the office which I was so pressingly urged to
accept. Accordingly I am regularly engaged with
drilling new men."
From Benton, Alabama. "I find myself very busy preparing for the war and have but two days to make the preparation. On the 15th inst. I was elected Lieut. Colonel of Kent's Regiment." (44th Alabama Infantry).
From Camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield, VA. Is with his regiment seven miles from Richmond; family news; speaks of wartime devastation- "My intimate friends and neighbors have suffered dreadfully. Many of them have been killed and many are dangerously wounded. It makes my heart sick to think of it."
From Northampton Co., NC. Regarding problems on his [family's?] plantation; illness among slaves; contract for railroad sills (Raleigh and Gaston Railroad) should be very profitable; longs to visit her; has had a daguerreotype made for her.
From Northampton Co., NC. Misc. news; regarding their marriage date.
From Northampton Co., NC. Worries about her health; expresses his love for her; wedding to be March 31- discusses plans.
From Lawrenceville, Arkansas. Samuel is traveling on business gives general news of his trip.
From Marlbrook, Hemstead Co., Arkansas. Short letter to let her know that he is well.
From Margarettsville, NC. Short note to Mollie, who is visiting her family; wants her to come home soon.
From Jackson, NC. Short note to Mollie- sorry to hear she is unwell; mentions business.
From Darvills (Dinwiddie County), Virginia. Misses him; family news.
From Marietta, Georgia. Gives news about her and Charles's life in Marietta;
Perry was the commander of Derby's Regiment. This was written after Derby's death and offers condolences. (Original and one contemporary copy).
Francis H. Smith was Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. This letter is in reply to Mr. Derby's notification that Charles has died in battle.
From Cahaba, Alabama. The children have been ill; severe winter; general news.
From Southampton Co., Virginia. Personal news.