Private Thomas W. Colley, 1st Virginia Cavalry, Archive 

48 items.

Private Thomas W. Colley of Emory, VA, served in the famed 1st Virginia cavalry from its formation under JEB Stuart until being mustered out in 1864 due to losing his left foot to wounds.

This archive of camp letters is accompanied by the Jan. 1899 issue of Confederate Veteran, Vol. 7 No.1, with a biography of Colley and photo of him holding the standard of the 1st Virginia Cavalry as an old man, and the August 1821 issue of Confederate Veteran, Vol. 29 No. 8, containing the obituary of Colley on page 309, eulogizing him for his courage and powerful physique.

His letters in this archive were used for several quotes in the regimental history of the 1st Virginia Cavalry printed in 1991 (hardback copy included.) One of the letters mentions John S. Mosby making it back to camp after being thrown from his horse, noting You recall I mentioned in my last that the Doctors thought it very doubtful whether he would recover or not.

Many of the letters relate the almost constant skirmishes the 1st Virginia Cavalry were involved in, first under JEB Stuart’s command, then under the leadership of William “Grumble” Jones, and Fitzhugh Lee. One letter, dated Camp Jackson, June 17th, 1862 is on illustrated letterhead honoring the CSA Cavalry. Other letters mention action surrounding the Seven Days battles, Antietam, Second Manassas and more. Colley missed the fight at Second Manassas, due to having his foot creased by a musket ball, preventing him from riding. Despite this, when he found out that the Army of Northern Virginia was invading Maryland, he made a cushion for his foot across his horse, and rode to join them.

Colley’s photocopied application for inclusion in the Wall of Fame in Richmond, which accompanies this archive, details the four wounds he received in the line of duty, including being shot through the body and left for dead on the battlefield. The fourth wound, which resulted in the amputation of his foot, disabled him from further service.

Some of the letters are from when Colley was detailed to the quartermaster department in Gordonsville after his severe chest wound, bringing worn out horses to the rear, and fresh ones to the front. He chafes at duty in the rear, noting It will suit a man very well that is afraid of bullets. April 2, 1864, finally finds him back with his company, and the news that Grant has assumed command in the East. June 3rd, he writes home about his latest and last wound, taking a bullet through the ankle joint. The last several letters were written from Jackson Hospital, while his foot heals. On June 26, 1864, he speaks of Hunter’s raid against the Confederate railroad between Petersburg and Richmond: He is the grandest villain I ever heard of since the war commenced. On September 7, 1864, he notes that the only chance the South has of an acceptable peace is for anti-draft forces to win the Northern elections, as the Southern Army would be wiped out by the time they could clean out the Yankee armies that were in the field before the election.