Biographical/historical information

The 68th Regiment was organized near Jackson, North Carolina in the early spring of 1864. The unit served in North Carolina and East Tennessee and later guarded prisoners at Salisbury. In April 1865 the men were ordered to return home, but while the orders were being carried out, the war ended.

Scope and arrangement

This collection consists of one letter (February 28, 1865) from Richard Commander, a member of the 68th Regiment, N.C. Troops, to his mother when the regiment camped near Tarboro. In this letter, Commander complains of his ill health due to exposure caused by the lack of a blanket or overcoat. Commander also expresses his dissatisfaction on not receiving his discharge papers. His low morale is further expressed in his statement that the Confederacy is almost finished due to the arming of the black men. He states that the desertion rate is high in that twenty-four men of his regiment have deserted recently.

Administrative information

Custodial History

March 23, 1971, one item; Letter (1865). Gift of Mrs. B. W. White, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. B. W. White

Processing information

Processed by R. Weaver, April 1972

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Commander, Richard

Corporate Names

Confederate States of America. Army--Military life

Places

Edgecombe County (N.C.)--History, Military
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Desertions
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives, Confederate

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