J. D. Harwell Letters

Collection

Identifier: M71

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The three letters in this collection, written February 22, March 28, and April 26, 1923, were sent to Mr. J.E. Boos of Albany, New York. They describe Harwell's experiences during the siege of Vicksburg in 1863 and his unit's action during the Atlanta campaign of 1864. Harwell writes of congenial relationships between Northerners and Southerners both during and after the war and mentions two reunions of Confederate veterans which he attended, one in Louisville, Kentucky, date unknown, and one in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1923. The letters also illustrate Harwell's attitude concerning blacks and slavery as well as his displeasure with Reconstruction.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found in February 22, March 28, and April 26, 1923

Creator

Harwell, J. D. (James Daniel), circa 1844- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Noncirculating; available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Biographical / Historical

James Daniel Harwell was a private in Company I, 20th Alabama Infantry, during the Civil War. His company saw action during the siege of Vicksburg in 1863 and the Atlanta campaign of 1864. His brother, William Thomas Harwell, who served in Company D, Jeff Davis Legion, Stuart's Calvary, was reported killed at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 8, 1864. J.D. Harwell wrote several letters which were published in The Confederate Veteran between 1898 and 1922, requesting information about his brother's death and the location of his brother's Bible. One article of Harwell's, also published in The Confederate Veteran, mentions an aunt who lived in Vicksburg and a step-brother named John.

Issues of The Confederate Veteran are available in the McCain Library, call number E482 .C743 and E482 .C74 ; in book form, call number E482 .C74 1971; cumulative index, call number E482 .C74 index.

J.D. Harwell was a resident of Meridian and Pachuta, Mississippi, from 1872 through 1923. He died in Mobile, Alabama in 1930.