Martha Clemmie Keagy to Fannie Longnecker Keagy Letter
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Scope and Contents
This letter, written by Martha Clemmie Keagy to Fannie Longnecker Keagy, provides a personal account of the challenges faced by Clemmie and her family during a time of war and economic hardship. Clemmie details her husband's slow recovery from illness and discusses the possibility of his relocation to Lynchburg for health reasons. She expresses her surprise and disappointment at the prospect of separation but notes that a Provost Marshal permitted him to stay, with the possibility of later traveling to Rockingham.
Clemmie describes the family’s uncertain future, with no clear plans for employment or stability. She mentions the high cost and scarcity of goods in the city, including basic necessities like fabric and a parasol. The letter also provides insight into the financial aspects of daily life, as she recounts selling milk for a considerable sum despite the economic strain.
Additionally, Clemmie comments on the ongoing war, describing the movement of troops, the arrival of prisoners, and reinforcements being sent to General Jackson. She also references a sick soldier, Willing, who has suffered multiple relapses of typhoid fever and has been in their care for months.
Dates
- Creation: 1862 August 29
Conditions Governing Access
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Conditions Governing Use
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Biographical / Historical
This letter, dated August 29, 1862, was written by Martha "Clemmie" Keagy, likely from Richmond, Virginia, to her sister-in-law, Fannie Longnecker Keagy. The letter provides a firsthand account of the struggles faced by a Confederate woman during the Civil War, particularly in the aftermath of the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Martha Clemmie Keagy was married to Jacob Keagy, a thirty-six-year-old man who may have worked as a postmaster but did not appear to be serving in the Confederate Army. The letter suggests that Jacob was subject to relocation by military authorities for reasons related to his health, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Clemmie describes her distress over the possibility of being separated from her husband and expresses frustration over the economic hardships of wartime Richmond, where goods were scarce and prices were exorbitant. She also notes the separation from their children, who were staying elsewhere, possibly for their safety.
Fannie Longnecker Keagy, the letter’s recipient, was likely Clemmie’s older sister-in-law and the wife of Jacob Keagy’s brother, who served in the Confederate military. The letter references war developments, including Confederate troop movements, the arrival of prisoners, and the reinforcements sent to General Stonewall Jackson’s forces. The timing of the letter coincides with the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862), a significant Confederate victory in northern Virginia that solidified General Robert E. Lee’s aggressive campaign against Union forces.
Extent
.85 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The University of Alabama Libraries acquired the Martha Clemmie Keagy to Fannie Longnecker Keagy Letter from Michael Brown Rare Books in 2019.
Physical Description
Quarto, 2 pages, second page is cross-written, some minor ink smudges, else in very good, clean and legible condition.
Processing Information
Processed by Courtney Tutt, March 2025.
- Title
- Guide to the Martha Clemmie Keagy to Fannie Longnecker Keagy Letter
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Courtney Tutt, March 2025.
- Date
- March 2025
- 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