William Joseph and Nancy Wallis Short family papers, 1862-1916, bulk 1862-1864

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Summary

Creator:
Short, William Joseph, 1834-1924 and Short, Nancy Wallis, 1840-1875
Date:
1862-1916, bulk 1862-1864
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet 1 box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

William Joseph and Nancy Wallis Short family papers, ms 3863, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of correspondence, Army clothing and roll book, writings, and photographs. The letters were written 1862-1865 among members of the Short family. Most letters are between Joe and his wife Nannie in Buena Vista, Georgia. He frequently advises his wife about financial matters and the operation of his farm, but also describes the battles and his view of the war. January 23, 1863 - "...will never forget the scenery after the fight. It seemed as if the most terrible hurricane had swept over the earth." July 31, 1863 - "I am enlisted for life or until the yankees are whipped." "They are fighting for plunder, we for our homes, wives and children." Her letters tell of family matters and their son William Bascom "Billy." In a 1914 letter, L. M. Spinks remembers their time together in the war and tells of his life now in Texas. There are also several letters from his brother John Robert Short (1837-1920), who was in the 9th Georgia Battalion Artillery, Co. C.

A personal account of the war was written by William Joseph Short when he was 90 and lists locations of his camps and the main battles he was in - Murfreesboro (TN) on July 14, 1862; Perryville (KY) on October 8, 1862; Murfreesboro (TN) on December 31-January 2, 1863; Chickamauga (GA) on September 19-20, 1863; and Lookout Mt. (TN) on November 22, 1863. There is a speech by William Bascom Short on the the unveiling of a Confederate memorial in Buena Vista (GA) in 1916; a notebook listing the roster of Co. G and clothing issued during 1864-1865; and two photographs of William Bascom Short and his wife Mollie.

Transcripts are included with most letters.

Biographical / historical:

William Joseph "Joe" Short (1834-1924) was the son of Nathan Pennington and Nancy Truett Short of Marion County, Georgia. In 1860 he married Nancy "Nannie" Wallis (1840-1875) daughter of Bland Wallis. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army - Company G., 2nd Georgia Battalion, Cavalry. After the war he became a Methodist minister and continued farming.

Processing information:

There are no original letters for transcripts dated 1862 June 21 or 1864 January 24, plus letters dated 1863 November 4 and 1863 December 17 are missing page 2.

Arrangement:

Arranged in chronological order

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

William Joseph and Nancy Wallis Short family papers, ms 3863, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.