Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

Isaac Norval Baker Memoirs, mss 00357, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical/Historical Information

Isaac Norval Baker was born October 8, 1844, and lived near Whitacre, Frederick County, Virginia. During the Civil War he served as a Private in Company F, 18th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. At the time of enlistment he was described as having a light complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, 5' 7". After the war Baker practiced herbal medicine in Shenandoah and Frederick Counties (VA). He died December 6, 1924, in Frederick County and is buried in Redland Cemetery, Hampshire Co., West Virginia.

Scope and Content Information

The collection consists of an original manuscript fragment (ca. 12 pages) and typewritten transcription (21 pages) describing Isaac Norval Baker's Civil War service as a Private in the Confederate Army's 18th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Baker's language is descriptive and lively, and the account includes many vignettes that provide insight into the lives of both soldiers and civilians. The narrative covers the period June 1863-April 1865; topics include camp life, wartime hardships, battles (Gettysburg, Bristoe Campaign, third Battle of Winchester, Fisher's Hill), and the effects of war in Shenandoah Valley.