Correspondence/Papers, 1848-1897

Extent:

2 boxes

Scope and content:

Includes material from several disparate sources placed in chronological sequence. There are many mimeographed copies of originals held by Mississippi Department of Archives and History as well as some mimeographed copies complete with originals. Participants include members of the Stuart and Hardeman families. Topics include family life; James H. Stuart's time as a student at the University of Mississippi; and James, Oscar, and Edward Stuart's participation in Civil War battles in Virginia and Mississippi. In June of 1861 James and Oscar wrote of the lukewarm sentiments of many Virginians around Lynchburg. There are also allusions in these letters to the cost of uniforms and equipment, the scarcity of ammunition and other supplies, anticipated military action at Manassas, and the beauty of the Virginia countryside. There may be found also in the letters of the war period information on military action at Manassas, Bethel Church, Drainsville, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, and Marye's Heights; and references to desertions, morale, censorship, theatrical productions given by the troops, and camp life in general. The deaths of James, and then Oscar Stuart receive prominent attention.

Correspondence regarding business and personal interests of Colonel Oscar J. E. Stuart and materials related to Robert Burns Mayes and his legal and insurance careers are present. In addition to letters to Colonel Stuart from his three children and his niece, Mary S. Cheek, there are a number of letters from more distant members of the Stuart family. Letters to Adelaide Stuart Dimitry from her siblings are also included.

Several long letters document the time spent in South America by John and Adelaide Dimitry. These letters, written to the family in Mississippi, trace with great detail the Dimitrys' life in Colombia. There are descriptions of the ocean voyage, Jamaica, Barranquilla and Bogota (the two towns in which they lived), the landscape of Colombia in general, a trip through the Andes, the climate, the political and economic state of the country, educational facilities, and the social life, customs, and temperament of the natives.

Correspondents from outside of the family include John Henninger Reagan, among others. Documents include the 1865 certificate of release of prisoner of war for Edward Stuart, a short diary by James H. Stuart documenting his time in the Signal Corps, a portion of the 1855 book The Catholic History of North America by Thomas D'Arcy McGee, and a handmade 1865 calendar.

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