Grant Family Photos and Letters

File — Box: 1, Folder: 6

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

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The bulk of the collection consists of Jon Robert Craig's copious correspondence with family and friends, mostly during World War II. He made carbon copies of most of his letters during the war and these are referred to as the “Censorship” letters, since the ones he sent were read by military censors. His carbon copies were not. There is, however, a significant portion of material from before the War, as well as after. Material from his career as a commercial designer also is present, both prior to and after his military service. Also included are his sketch books and loose sheets of sketches; war souvenirs; some 680 negatives of his war-time photography; books; pamphlets; and journals. CDs and a flash drive containing scans of all of the sketches were made by the family, as well as another drive of scans of his photographs; and yet another of scans of both his "Censorship" letters and many of the letters he received, offering researchers that rare treat of being able to see both sides of a correspondence.

Dates

Creation: 1910s - 1990s

Creator

From the Collection: Craig, Jon (Jon Robert), 1916-2010 (Person)

Full Extent

From the Collection: 20 Linear Feet (24 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Processing Information

In addition to photos of the Grant home in Valley Plains (near Pine Mountain, Georgia) and various members of the family, there is a cache of 18 letters written by three brothers (James Henry Grant, George Addison Grant, and William C. Grant) to their parents during their service in the Confederate Army, mainly from Virginia. The letters are photocopies, some of very faded letters. There are some issues with dating, and the transcriptions, but they provide a rich first-hand experience of camp life during the Civil War. Letter 3 was written on April 3, 1862while William Grant was ill with measles in a hospital in Ashland, Virginia (near Richmond). Letter 4 describes the defense of Richmond, the Battle of Fair Oaks-Seven Pines. Letter 6 tells of William’s participation in the Battle of Cedar Mountain on the 9 of August, 1862 and asks for the family to send him some shoes. Letter 7 describes fighting in Maryland and taking Harper’s Ferry, adding “Pa we have had the worst time you ever saw fighting and marching.” In a letter dated September 30 (?) 1862 he is Bunkers Hill (near Winchester, Virginia). In letter 11, dated December the 17, 1862 he is encamped near Fredericksburg. He describes various wounds and amputations that friends have received. Letter 14 is written by William Baswell, Lieut. Commander of Company K, 35th Georgia Regiment to William’s father announcing the William had died the 2 of September from a congestive fever. There are also some later letters concerning the same family.