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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00686.14 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of the Van Valkenburgh family |
| Title | Gerrit S. van Valkenburgh to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh asking for forgiveness and understanding |
| Date | 26 January 1865 |
| Author | Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) |
| Recipient | Van Valkenburgh, Mary B. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his mother. References his mother's letter of 11 January 1865. Says the other letters mentioned in the 11 January letter never reached him. Declares that "It is a source of sorrow to me, that I am opposed in principle to the balance of our family - but I am honest in my belief - act in strict accordance therewith - and hope & believe, that if I am wrong, I will be forgiven." Reports that letters from other family members have been sharp and that "most of the letters I have had from the north, seem to be written under the impression that I am either a fool - or that I have followed the course I have, for the fun of this thing & must be getting sick of it." Goes on to further justify his decision to remain with the Confederacy. Is upset that no one thinks he acted "honestly." Signed "G.S. Van Valkenburgh." |
| Subjects | Morality and Ethics Soldier's Letter Civil War Military History Confederate Soldier's Letter Confederate States of America Prisoner of War |
| People | Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit |
| Place written | Johnson's Island, Ohio |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Gerrit was the only one of the five Van Valkenburgh brothers who eventually sided with the Confederacy. Research suggests that Gerrit's mother disowned him for siding with the Confederacy. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |