Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: W. L. Perkins letters

Abstract

The W.L. Perkins letters (dated 1862-1865; 0.03 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters from Perkins to his parents that document his daily life as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and as part of General Sherman's March to the Sea.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: W. L. Perkins letters
Date
1863-1865 (inclusive)
Creator
Perkins, W.L.
Extent
0.03 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Atlanta Campaign, 1864.
Correspondence.
Family.
Letters.
Sherman's March to the Sea.
Soldiers -- Correspondence
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0359: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: W. L. Perkins letters, 1863-1865, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
W.L. Perkins was a soldier in the Union Army during the United States Civil War. No other biographical information available.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The W.L. Perkins letters (dated 1862-1865; 0.03 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters from Perkins to his parents that document his daily life as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and as part of General Sherman's March to the Sea. In the letters to his father, Perkins discusses his opinions of the Union Generals and how they compare to each other, trying to reach the next of kin for a fallen soldier, issues with paper currency, conditions in Atlanta, and problems with getting food and supplies to the troops. In the letters to his mother, Perkins asks her for food and drinks, tells her about the troop movements under Sherman and Grant, his hopes that the war will be over soon, how the army needs more recruits, and the push by the Union armies into Atlanta.
The W.L. Perkins letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

W. L. Perkins letters to father, 1863-1865

  • Box WH-16, folder 31
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W. L. Perkins letters to mother, 1863-1865

  • Box WH-16, folder 32
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.