Item No. 9763081

In this 1864 letter written upon rare “Confederate States Arsenal” letterhead, Lieutenant Colonel W. LeRoy Broun instructs his wife Sallie to self-administer a vaccine he encloses (not included). Broun was then commandant of the Richmond Arsenal, located adjacent to the Tredegar Iron Works along the James River.

He gets to the point right at the beginning of the letter. The vaccine in question was most likely for smallpox. “I send you a little vaccine virus,” he writes. “Dissolve in a drop of warm water in the bottom of a saucer, & insert in the arms. Use at once as it is fresh.”

Broun next discusses the disposition of his in-laws. His wife’s family was from Montpelier in Hanover County—not far from the seat of war. He is possibly discussing moving family members to Georgia (Broun taught at the University of Georgia in 1854, and perhaps still maintained property there). He writes:

Your father will leave tomorrow with Edmund, Lina, & Maria. No others. I am inclined to think the Georgia place won’t amount to much for want of force. Mr. Morris is going with him. Yr. Ma sent me the plates, cups, &c., some sausage, peaches, & potatoes.

He then discusses family news, asks for a pair of slippers to be repaired, and informs about a quantity of calico cloth and other goods. Near the letter’s end, he mentions a “George” who is “much troubled about going back to the army.” He signs, “W. LeRoy Broun.”

Broun hailed from Middleburg, in Loudon County, Virginia. He held various university positions teaching mathematics in the prewar years. After the war, he would return to the University of Georgia (1872-1882). Between 1882 and 1902, he served as President of Auburn University.

The letter was written on two sides of a letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript appears below:

Confederate States Arsenal,
Richmond, Va., Jan 26 1864

My dear Sallie
I send you a little vaccine virus. Dissolve in a drop of warm water in the bottom of a saucer, & insert in the arms. Use at once as it is fresh.

Your father will leave tomorrow with Edmund, Lina, & Maria. No others. I am inclined to think the Georgia place won’t amount to much for want of force. Mr. Morris is going with him. Yr. Ma sent me the plates, cups, &c., some sausage, peaches, & potatoes. I informed yr. friends here you expected to pay a visit to them to show yr. daughters. All want to see them very much.

Mr. Stevens returned from Broun farm a few hours after I got to Richmond. He expressed himself highly delighted with the family. I with Miss Mollin, I thought those was well placed. He further added that he intended to write to him to urge him most vigorously. I fear Thomas’s sickliness.

I have a pair of slippers for May E, which you need bind. I sent by the wagon 13 yds calico to yr Ma, to be sent to Miss Farrow. The other can be ret’d to me or sold to anyone who wants it at 6.50 cost.

George is at home in much trouble about going back to the army. I will learn tomorrow if he is allowed to have a furlough. Think the chance is very slim indeed.

I send you by wagon, also, 3 bundles cotton yarn & the balance soap.
With much love I continue
ever yours
W. LeRoy Broun