Tag Archives: University of North Carolina

22 December 1862: “Mr. H. was absent from the final examination without permission. His general deportment has been good.”

Item description: Report card, dated 22 December 1862, for John Steele Henderson, a student at the University of North Carolina. More about John Steele Henderson: John Steele Henderson (1846-1916) was born in North Carolina, the son of Archibald and Mary Henderson. … Continue reading

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1 December 1862: “dried fruit, red pepper, sugar, a jug of molasses, jelly, some preserves, a pone of lightbread, some sweet cakes, a bottle or two of ketchup, pepper sauce, etc.”

Item description: Letter, 1 December 1862, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his mother Hannah Lavinia Thomson. He comments extensively on food, clothing and supplies, including the provisions being used by his body servant “Press.” More about Ruffin Thomson: Ruffin Thomson … Continue reading

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26 November 1862: “having received an imperative order to cause Sandals to be made from Beef Hides for the barefooted men of his Company…did fail to Carry out Said order…”

Item description: Charge for disobedience of orders, dated 26 November 1862, as filed against Edward H. Armstrong of Company G, 3rd North Carolina Troops. Item citation: From the Julien Dwight Martin Papers #3639-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North … Continue reading

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6 November 1862: “Press is a faithful servant to me considering the chances he has. I am satisfied with him.”

Item description: Letter, 6 November 1862, from Ruffin Thomson, 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, to his “Pa” (William H. Thomson). Thomson reports on the status of his regiment following the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). He also mentions his satisfaction with his body … Continue reading

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28 August 1862: “Very soon after I left last January nearly all the students left and went to war; some were called out by the draft some were taken by the Conscription law and some went voluntarily, So nearly all left…”

Item description: In this letter of 28 August 1862, Preston H. Sessoms writes from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., to his sister Bettie. Sessoms tells his sister that only 50 students are enrolled, and board is expensive. … Continue reading

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5 June 1862: “Commencement Ball Announcement, Complimentary to The Graduating Class”

Item description: A commencement ball invitation from 5 June 1862. As the war progressed the student body at the University of North Carolina began to change drastically. By the fall of 1861, only 91 students remained at the University after many … Continue reading

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31 May 1862: “That fifteen lashes be inflicted upon any colored man or woman, who, for the sake of convenience, and unaccompanied by any white person, may walk on forbidden ground…”

Item description: At the 31 May 1862 meeting of the Philanthropic Society, a committee recommended passage of the following law: “That fifteen lashes be inflicted upon any colored man or woman, who, for the sake of convenience, and unaccompanied by … Continue reading

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14 April 1862: “This is the anniversary of the fall of Ft Sumter and we have had the sad news confirmed of the loss of Ft Pulaski to us — I was not prepared for this, believing it impregnable.”

Item description: In this letter, Mary Henderson writes to her son John Steele Henderson, who was a student in Chapel Hill, N.C. at the University of North Carolina. Mary Henderson discusses local news, the Battle of Shiloh, and other war … Continue reading

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29 January 1862: “[Capt. McDade] does not consider any student, not a resident of Orange liable to drill or draft.”

Item description:  University of North Carolina President David Swain writes to Charles Manly, the secretary-treasurer of the university’s Board of Trustees, that he had spoken with local Confederate militia Captain McDade. Swain explains that drafting students appeared unlikely. Item citation: From folder 219 in … Continue reading

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19 October 1861: “I remain your faithful obedient an humble slave, Jerry Hooper”

Item description: Letter, 19 October 1861, from Jerry Hooper to John DeBerniere Hooper. Jerry Hooper was a slave who belonged to John DeBerniere Hooper (1811-1886), a professor at the University of North Carolina (1836-1848 and 1875-1885), and at a time … Continue reading

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