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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], Andrew J. Lewis Correspondence, Ms1988-097, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Andrew J. Lewis Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Andrew J. Lewis Correspondence commenced and was completed in May, 2021.

Biographical Note

Andrew J. Lewis was born in Virginia, ca. 1835. The 1860 census lists a Jackson Lewis, 25, living in the Spotsylvania County, Virginia, home of Catharine Taps [Tapp]. Also listed in the home is Harriet Taps, 21. A. J. Lewis enlisted in Company B, 40th Virginia Infantry on May 7, 1862. He was taken prisoner of war at Falling Waters on July 14, 1863, and enlisted in the U. S. Army on January 23, 1864. The 1870 census lists a 32-year-old laborer named A. J. Lewis living in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, with Harriet Lewis, 31; Verana Lewis, 2; and Francis Robinson, a 12-year-old Black domestic servant. The Lewises again appear in Spotsylvania County in the 1880 census: Jack, 43; Harriet, 42; Verony, 13; Wiat, 8; and Vilena, 1--all native Virginians. A. J. Lewis died in Spotsylvania County on April 25, 1883. The death record lists his wife's name as H. C. Lewis, and his parents as Willis and Catherine Lewis. On August 29, 1890, Harriet C. Lewis filed for a widow's pension for Andrew J. Lewis's service in Company A, 1st U. S. Volunteer Infantry. Harriet Catherine Lewis died in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, September 9, 1914. Born June 18, 1838, she was the daughter of Vincin and Catherine F. Dempsey Tapp.

Scope and Content

This collection contains three letters from Andrew J. Lewis, a Confederate prisoner of war who later served in the 1st U. S. Volunteer Infantry. The collection also contains a letter to Lewis from his wife Harriet.

Lewis's first letter, written from Point Lookout [Maryland], on October 21, 1863, informs his mother that he is a prisoner of war, captured in July. In the second letter, Lewis writes from Fort Ripley, Minnesota, as a member of Company A, 1st U. S. Volunteers. Addressed to his wife on September 10, 1865, the letter expresses the deep emotions that her recent letter caused Lewis and his friend ("we Boohooed a while ...") He also comments favorably on Minnesota as a potential place to live after his discharge. He notes that his regiment will soon be heading to Fort Leavenworth and that he has "Bin told that is a place for mustering out all ex rebel troops." On December 30, 1865, Lewis wrote to his wife from Monument Station, Kansas, telling her of his lonesomeness and his hopes to soon be mustered out of the service. He asks his wife to join him in the West and instructs her to direct her response via the Butterfield Overland Mail. Accompanying Andrew Lewis's letters is a letter from his wife, Harriet. Writing from Wilderness [Virginia], Harriet Lewis expresses her concern about having not heard from her husband in two months and her hope that he will soon be home, especially with Christmas approaching. She also relays news from their respective families.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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