Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Reuel W. Waters Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Reuel W. Waters Correspondence, Ms2011-110, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

Special Collections purchased the Reuel W. Waters Correspondence in July 2011.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Reuel W. Waters Correspondence was completed in November 2011.

Biographical Note

Reuel W. Waters was born about 1843 in Maine. Prior to the war, he lived in Cumberland County, Maine, one of at least 5 children. He enlisted as a private and was commissioned into the 6th company of the 1st Battery of the Maine Light Artillery. References to Waters after 1860 are scarce and it is unknown if he survived the war.

Scope and Content

The collection contains one letter signed by Reuel W. Waters on February 3, 1865, to his sister, Abbie. Much of his writing details his experiences on the battlefield and seemingly seeks to educate civilians who "have a poor idea of what an army is or as to how one is managed." Most notably, he provides extensive descriptions of artillery and ammunitions, as well as the railroads. The letter closes with Waters declaring: "all hands are well and gay laughing at the idea of peace and peace commissioners."

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War