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David L. Jones Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2685

  • Staff Only

The David L. Jones Letters, 1865, consists primarily of letters between Private Jones (19th Pennsylvania Cavalry) and his wife Anna. He details his hardships, adventures, and views of the war, while Anna responds with letters about the homefront, explaining the hardtimes of having to take care of the couple's five children on her own during a time of poverty. The majority of Private Jones's letters were written from Nashville, Tenn.; Anna's were written from Alleghany City, Pa.

The David L. Jones Letters have been separated into three itemized series. Series I, Items 1 through 31, contains dated letters between Private Jones and his wife Anna. In the letter dated March 18th, David passes through Ft. Negley, retracing the batteground where Hood had been. On April 17th, Anna mourns the death of President Lincoln, but she rejoices over the capture of Jefferson Davis on May 16th.

The second series, Series II, Items 32 through 40, contains undated letters between Jones and his wife. In Item 32, David writes about visting a community where the people were celebrating the Emancipation Procalamtion.

The third and final series contains two letters, Items 41 and 42 that were written by people other than the Joneses.

Dates

  • 1865

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.3 Linear Feet

Abstract

The David L. Jones Letters, 1865, consists primarily of letters between Private Jones (19th Pennsylvania Cavalry) and his wife Anna. He details his hardships, adventures, and views of the war, while Anna responds with letters about the homefront, explaining the hardtimes of having to take care of the couple's five children on her own during a time of poverty. The majority of Private Jones's letters were written from Nashville, Tenn.; Anna's were written from Alleghany City, Pa.

Biographical/Historical Note

David L. Jones of Alleghany City, Pa., was a member of the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry Unit during the Civil War. He and his wife Anna had five children--James, Andrew, Thomas, Sharon, and Anna May.

The 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry (180th Volunteers) was organized at Philadelphia in the summer of 1863. The unit served throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and was involved in the Battles of Nashville and Franklin in late 1864. The men were mustered out in New Orleans on May 14, 1866.

Arrangement

Collection consists of three folders. Material is divided into three series: Dated Letters between David and Anna Jones; Undated Letters between David and Anna Jones; and Other Letters.

Acquisition Note

Collection was purchased by Special Collections in December 2005

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480