Robert Taylor Preston Papers (Ms1992-003)

Dublin Core

Title

Robert Taylor Preston Papers (Ms1992-003)

Subject

Blacksburg (Va.)
Civil War
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Montgomery County (Va.)
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Description

The collection consists of 218 letters, military orders, notes, certificates of military appointments, and other items, collected or created by Preston between 1849 and 1871, with the majority from the period between May 1861 and December 1862. The materials include several military orders signed by such members of the Confederate Army as Jubal Early, John B. Floyd, and George E. Pickett, as well as orders written by Preston himself. Also included is a manuscript draft of a broadside written by Preston from Solitude on May 13, 1863, as a call to arms to the men of Roanoke and Montgomery County to repel the Union Army which was in the immediate vicinity; and a pardon signed by President Andrew Jackson on September 10, 1865, granting Preston amnesty for his offenses committed in the recent rebellion.

Robert Taylor Preston was born at Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1809 to James Patton and Nancy Ann Taylor Preston. He was a student at Hampden-Sydney College from 1825 to 1828. He qualified as a captain of the 75th Regiment of the (Virginia?) Militia in 1830 and was commissioned as Justice of the Peace of Montgomery County in 1837. In 1833, he married Mary Hart (1802-1882) and they had three children: Virginia Ann Emily (1834-1898), Benjamin Hart (1836-1851), and James Patton (1838-1901). Robert Taylor Preston built his residence "Solitude" in the early 1830s. At the start of the Civil War he was appointed a colonel of the volunteers in the Provisional Army of Virginia. In July 1861, he was appointed a colonel of the 28th Virginia Infantry, Confederate States of America, where he served until the infantry's reorganization in April 1862. Beginning in August 1864 he served as a lieutenant colonel and then a colonel of the 4th Virginia Reserves, and surrendered with the troops of General J. E. Johnston in North Carolina in April 1865. In 1872, he sold the land to the state to establish the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College on the condition he and his wife could live in the house until their deaths. Robert Taylor Preston died in 1881. Mary Preston died in 1881.

Creator

Preston, Robert Taylor, 1809-1880

Date

1829/1871

Identifier

Ms1992-003

Bibliographic Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Robert Taylor Preston Papers, Ms1992-003, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Collection Items

Military Order, Appointment of Robert T. Preston to rank of Captain in the 5th Militia of the Commonwealth, signed by William B. Giles, Governor, Va, November 3, 1829 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Appointment of Robert T. Preston to rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Virginia Militia, signed by David Campbell, Governor, Va, May 26, 1837 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Appointment of Robert T. Preston to rank of Colonel in the Virginia Militia, signed by John M. Patton, Lieutenant Governor, Va, May 25, 1840 (Ms1992-003)

Invitation, Inauguration Ball, Miss Virginia T. Preston, March 5, 1849 (Ms1992-003)
Invitation to Miss Virginia T. Preston to the Grand Inauguration Ball of Zachary Taylor (U.S. President) and Millard Filmore (Vice-President), March 5, 1849.

Certificate, by Governor John Letches regarding the commission to Colonel for Robert Preston, Va, May 5, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Special Order, No. 45: Assigning Robert Preston to duty at Lynchburg by order of Maj. General Lee, May 11, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No 7: Assumption of Command, Signed JA Early, Colonel Commanding, Lynchburg, Va, May 17, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
Lynchburg, Statement of assumption of command of the Virginia Volunteers mustered into service in Lynchburg. Col. R.C.W. Radford will take charge of the companies of cavalry and Col. Robert T. Preston will take charge of the companies of infantry.…

Military Order, Order No. 4: List of eight rules to be observed in camps and quarters of the Va. Volunteers, Signed by JA Early, Head Quarters, Lynchburg, Va, May 18, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Order No. 3: Organization of local companies under Col. Preston, Signed by JA Early, Head Quarters, Lynchburg, Va, May 18, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Lieutenant Col. R. S. Brinks under the command of Robert Preston, Signed by JA Early, Head Quarters, Va. Forces, May 18, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No 4: Private Gillian M. Burwell is assigned to the position of secretary, by order of Robert Preston, Camp Lee, Va, May 19, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Sergeant Thomas Lewis appointed to Sergeant Major, by order of Robert Preston, Head Quarters, Camp Lee, May 19, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Lt. Edmund Goods is appointed to Captain of the Regiment, by order of Robert T. Preston, Camp Lee, Va, May 19, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No 7: Regarding the ratification or rejection of the Ordinance of Secession, Signed JA Early, Commanding Colonel, May 20, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
Head Quarters, Virginia Volunteers, Lynchburg. Orders, Collection of the votes of all persons in the military service of the State regarding the ratification or rejection of the Ordinance of Secession as well as the amendment to the Constitution of…

Military Order, No 5: All company officers of the regiment will take rank in several grades according to the date when each company was mustered, Levels A - K, Camp Lee, Va, May 20, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No 8: Regarding Office Hours, Signed R.C. Allen, Camp Lee, May 23, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
Camp Lee, Reminder to those applying to at the Head Quarters of the commandant, Regiment is reminded office hours are strictly limited to times noted on order of the day. Signed: R. C. Allen, May 23, 1861.

Military Order, No 7: Captain Fleming Gardner appointed Adjutant General of Virginia Volunteers, Signed JA Early, Col. Commanding, May 23, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No 8: Regarding Movement of Companies, Signed JA Early, Col. Commanding, May 25, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
Head Quarters, Va. Volunteers, Order No. 8, Instructions that Capt. Jordan's and Hughes' companies are no longer attached to Col. Robert Preston's regiment and must move to Richmond by railroad. Capt. Kent's and Capt. Williams' companies will move in…

Military Order, Order No. 10 by Col Robert T. Preston, May 26, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
Order No. 10, Instructions for the camp to be ready to march out at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning. By order of Col. Robert T. Preston, May 26, 1861.

Special Order, No. 11: List of men temporarily assigned to extra duty in the quarter masters dept. by order of General Bonham, Camp Pickens, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
From: Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens. Special Order: List of men temporarily detailed on extra duty in the Quarter Masters. Department. Includes Col. Preston and some of his regiment. By order of General Bonham, Signed: Thomas…

Military Order, Instructions for Col. Preston to detail some of his men to 8 o'clock guard duty, by order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Sam. W. Melton, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructions for Men in Col. Preston's Regiment, Signed by Sam. W. Melton, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructions and Expectations of Companies During the 8 o'clock AM Guard Duty Patrol, By Order of Thomas Jordan, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 28, 1861 [copy 2] (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructions and Expectations of Companies During the 8 o'clock AM Guard Duty Patrol, By Order of Thomas Jordan, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Order No. 11: Instructions Regarding Men Firing Guns and Pistols Within the Encampment, By Order of Robert T. Preston, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Letter, from Sam. W. Melton to Robert T. Preston Regarding his Commission, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, General Orders from Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, signed by Thomas Jordan, May 28, 1861 [copy 2] (Ms1992-003)
From: Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens. General Orders: List of eighteen regulations observed in this camp without variation until otherwise directed. By order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed: Thomas Jordan, May 28, 1861 (2nd…

Military Order, General Orders from Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, Signed by Thomas Jordan, May 28, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
From: Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens. General Orders: List of eighteen regulations observed in this camp without variation until otherwise directed. By order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed: Thomas Jordan, May 28, 1861

Military Order, Instructions for Col. Preston to detail his men for general guard duty, by order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Thomas Jordan, Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 29, 1861 [copy 2] (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructions for Col. Preston to detail his men for general guard duty, by order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Thomas Jordan, Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 29, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Field Officer of the Day for 31st May 1861, by Order of Sam W. Melton, May 30, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Request that Col. Preston amend the Regiment Report, Signed by W. C. Morgan, Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Va, May 30, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructions for Col. Preston to detail his men for general guard duty, by order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Thomas Jordan, Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 30, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Announcement that Major Bount is Provost Marshall, By order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Thomas Jordan, Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens, Va, May 30, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Request for Col. Preston to detail private to act as orderly, by order of Thomas Jordan, May 31, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Special Order, Request for report on the strength of each regiment, by order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed by Thomas Jordan, May 31, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Order No. 12: Announcement of Inspection, By Order of Col. Robert T. Preston, May 31, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Special Requisition, to Major Gorgas, Chief of Ordinance, for ten kettle drums and two fifes for use in the 28th Regiment of the Virginia Volunteers, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Col. Preston will detail at once and daily thereafter a work party to report to Major Thomas H. Williams for work in the trenches, By order of General Bonham, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, Va, June 1, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Instructing Col. Preston to detail his men for general guard duty, By order of Brig. General Bonham, Signed Thomas Jordan, June 1 1861 (Ms1992-003)

General Order, No. 1: Instructions that all members of the command will help entrench camp for defense against all assaults, By order of General Bonham, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, June 1, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Announcement that Hon. William Smith of Virginia has become a volunteer, By order of General Bonham, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, Va, June 1, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Firing exercises with the artillery tomorrow, By order of General Bonham, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, Va, June 1, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No. 36: Notification of command switch to General Beauregard from General Bonham, Signed Brig. General. M. Bonham, Camp Pickens, June 2, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No. 35: Col. Preston will detail from his command a party to serve as General Guard for the day, By order of Brig. General Beauregard, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, June 2, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No. 34: Orders for Col. Preston's men to escort a supply train to Fairfax station, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, June 2, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, No. 33: Inquiry into cartridge and bayonet scabbard requisitions, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, June 2, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

Military Order, Brig. General G. T. Beauregard to relieve Brig. General. M. L. Bonham of command of the Alexandria line, Camp Pickens, Va, June 2, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
From: Head Quarters, Department of Alexandria, Camp Pickens. General Order: In accordance with Special Order No. 149 of the Head Quarters of Virginia Forces, Richmond assigning me to the command of the Alexandria line. I have relieved Brig. General.…

General Order, No. 3: Annulling of the Provost Marshall position, By order of Brig. General Beauregard, Signed Thomas Jordan, Camp Pickens, June 3, 1861 (Ms1992-003)

General Order, No. 5: Major Thomas Rhett assigned to duty as Acting Inspector General, By order of Genl. Beauregard, Signed Fergason, Camp Pickens, June 3, 1861 (Ms1992-003)
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