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Macon and Miles Abernathy papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0003

Scope and Contents

Two letters from Macon at Tuscaloosa to his father and sister in Jacksonville, both dated 1861, discussing his denied requests for furloughs home, and a letter from his father, Miles, to his son in Tuscaloosa, encouraging him to return home to join a local company being raised to fight in the Civil War. The collection also includes an 1878 obituary of Macon's father, Major Miles Abernathy.

Addition received in 2012 includes one letter dated April 14, 1861, written by Macon to his sister (on University of Alabama letterhead); cased photograph of Abernathy in his Confederate uniform; and honorary degree for Abernathy, 1914.

Addition received in 2013 includes one letter dated May 15, 1861, written by Macon to his father, discussing the death and funeral of a classmate. He also writes about his application to President Garland for some of his "pocket" money only to be told that his father hadn't sent any. Macon goes on to state that he hadn't asked for any before and that his university expenses were apparently much more than Dr. Garland had previously said they would be.

Dates

  • 1861 - 1878

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Born August 7, 1842, in Jacksonville, Alabama, Macon Abernathy graduated from the University of Alabama in 1861. He served as a private in company G, 10th Alabama Regiment, Wilcox's Brigade, and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Frazier's Farm, Virginia, June 30, 1862. He died at Richmond on July 1, 1862.

Extent

0.03 Linear Feet (4 items)

Language of Materials

English

Overview

This collection consists Abernathy family correspondence discussing the outbreak of the Civil War and the return of Macon, a University of Alabama student, to his hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama, to enlist in a local company. Also contains an 1878 obituary of Macon's father, Major Miles W. Abernathy.

Provenance

Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Fritz, 1962; additional gift of Cleophus Thomas Jr., 2013

Processed by

Donnelly Lancaster Walton, 2012; updated by Martha Bace, 2013

Creator

Source

Title
Guide to the Macon and Miles Abernathy papers
Status
Completed
Date
November 2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513