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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01896.071 |
| From Archive Folder | Archive of Confederate naval operations: Va. volunteer navy, Tredegar Iron Works |
| Title | Edward R. Archer to his mother from London, the failure of the Virginia Volunteer Navy, concerns over arming the slaves and the course of the war |
| Date | 8 January 1865 |
| Author | Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Archer writes to his mother, Frances, from England where he has sailed in the steamer C. S. S. Hawk in order to sell it at auction. His spirits are very low as he discusses the damage done by the failure of the "scheme to establish the V[irginia]. V[olunteer]. N[avy]." and says he desires to defend his role in the matter. Furthermore, he makes repeated references to H. [Samuel Harrison, President of the Board of the Volunteer Virginia Navy] who has apparently vanished. Lamenting that he is almost broke, he borrowed money to pay his expenses in Bermuda, and has "one and sixpence just enough to rattle in my pocket to keep up appearances in company." Archer also talks about the conduct of the war, expressing concern over Gen. Lee's remarks that it is time to arm the slaves. Edward believes slaves should first be employed in other, support roles in the army first before they are given guns. Laments over the fall of Savannah and especially Fort Fisher, since Wilmington is the only convenient point left to reenter the South [other than Texas]. |
| Subjects | Civil War Confederate States of America Navy Finance Fortification Military History Global History and Civics Steamboat Navy Corruption and Scandal Caribbean African American History Slavery Texas African American Troops Confederate General or Leader Confederate Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter |
| People | Archer, Frances (fl. 1865) Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917) Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1807-1870) Harrison, Samuel J. (fl. 1855-1863) |
| Place written | London, England |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Native Americans; African Americans; Slavery & Abolition; Foreign Affairs; Merchants & Commerce |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |