Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William B. Wood Letter, Ms1988-069, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William B. Wood Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the William B. Wood Letter commenced and was completed in April, 2021.

Biographical Note

William Basil Wood, son of Alexander H. and Mary E. Evans Wood, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 31, 1820. After attending LaGrange College, he passed the bar and became an attorney in Florence, Alabama, and was elected judge of Lauderdale County, Alabama. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he organized the 16th Alabama Infantry and served as its colonel. He was recommended for promotion to brigadier general but instead was assigned to duty as president of the military court in General Longstreet's corps, and served there through the end of the war. Following the war, Wood served as a circuit court judge and Methodist minister. He married Sarah Briscoe Leftwich. William Basil Wood died on April 3, 1891, and was buried in Florence Cemetery, Florence (Lauderdale County), Alabama.

Scope and Content

Written on October 14, 1863, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to an unidentified recipient, the William B. Wood Letter discusses an invitation that Wood had received to run for the Confederate senate. Wood complains of the treatment that he has received from the Confederate government, particularly noting that other less-deserving officers have received promitions while he has not. Citing his discontent, Wood notes his desire to return to civilian life and asks the recipient for advice regarding a possible senate campaign.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Confederate States of America
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William B. Wood Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).