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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00686.11 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of the Van Valkenburgh family |
| Title | Gerrit S. van Valkenburgh to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh explaining why he fought for the South |
| Date | 10 June 1864 |
| Author | Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) |
| Recipient | Van Valkenburgh, Mary B. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written by Gerrit to his mother Mary. References her letter of 22 May 1864. Is very happy about his mother's letter and says he has thought about her often. Says there is a big difference between them and that he is "a Southerner in word in thought & act." Believes that the Confederates were not as wanton as Northern papers make them out to be. Argues that he did not enter the war blindly, but made a well-thought choice to join the South. Goes into detail about his decision making process. Says he does not blame anyone for wanting to join the Federal army, so people should not blame him for wanting to join the Confederate. Claims last letter he received was in July 1861. Gives her an update on his life after that: Worked in the steamboat and warehouse business on the Mississippi before the war and did not join the Confederate Army until May 1862. Reports that he was in New Orleans when it fell to Union forces. Says he was in several fights, but was never wounded. Says was twice a prisoner, but escaped both times. Was taken 30 March 1864 and is now on a parole of honor in Arkansas. Gives her an update on family in Arkansas. Says he sent a photograph with the letter. |
| Subjects | Journalism Civil War Military History Confederate Soldier's Letter Confederate States of America Children and Family Union Forces Steamboat Battle Prisoner of War Photography |
| People | Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit |
| Place written | Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Children & Family; Industry; Women in American History |
| 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. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |