1861: Armistead Westley Groves to Angus Rucker Blakey

The following letter, probably retained as a personal copy, was penned by 49 year-old Armistead W. Groves (1812-1878) of Rapid Ann township, Madison county, Virginia. His parents were Joseph Groves (1759-1823) and Charlotte Guy (1771-1830) of Fauquier county. Armistead married Emily Finks (1814-1850) in 1841 and they had four children before her death in 1850. Fourteen years after Emily’s death, Armistead married her younger sister, Frances “Anne” Finks. Anne died sometime prior to the 1870 US Census.

From the letter, it is evident that Armistead sought a commission as a surgeon in the Army of Virginia—a position he believes he was promised. Intriguingly, I cannot locate any evidence that he ever practiced medicine. Furthermore, there is no record of military service prior to or during the Civil War. It appears he was a planter, much like his father.

Armistead wrote the letter to his friend, Angus Rucker Blakey (1816-1896), a lawyer who represented Madison county as a delegate in the 1861 Virginia Secession Convention. “Prior to enrolling at the University of Virginia (UVA) in 1834 to study ancient languages and mathematics, Angus Blakey received an early classical education in Madison County. After completion of his studies at UVA, Blakey studied the law under U.S. Supreme Court Justice Phillip Barbour, a Gordonsville, Virginia native, whom President Andrew Jackson nominated in 1836 to be a Supreme Court Justice. After passing the bar exam, Blakey served as Greene County’s Commonwealth Attorney between 1838 and 1850, and also became Madison County’s Commonwealth Attorney between 1842 and January 1864, replacing James T. Hill. As the position in those early years was not considered full time, it was possible to serve two counties simultaneously as well as engaging in an active private legal practice.”

Though he voted in favor of Virginia’s secession from the Union, Blakey “did not actively participate as a soldier due to “medical reasons.” He was ordered to serve with the Rockbridge Reserves in January 1864, but never saw action. After the war, in 1865, from his then residence in Rockbridge County, he wrote a letter to President Johnson requesting amnesty. In his letter he gave a few details of his service with the Confederacy. He stated his exemption from active service was due to “his disease,” but no details on his disease were ever found. During his reserve duty, he was responsible for collecting taxes for tobacco sales in Nelson County for the Confederacy. He was granted amnesty August 9, 1865, and subsequently moved to Albemarle County.” [Source: A Short Biography of Madison county Commonwealth Attorney Angus Rucker Blakey by Jonathan Noggle & Michael Noggle.]

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Rapid Ann, Madison county, Va.
June 20th 1861

A. R. Blakey, Esq.,

Dear sir, I was in Richmond several weeks since and solicited from the Governor & Council a commission as Surgeon in the Medical staff in the Army of Virginia. Dr. Gibson assured me if the Governor permitted him to make any more nominations that I should be appointed. The Governor, Haymond, & Smith told Gen. Kemper though whom I made the application to them, that I shoud be commissioned. I wrote to Gen. Haymond last week in regard to it, but have heard nothing from him. As I am at a loss what to do under the circumstances, I will ask the favor of you to see the Governor and remind him of his promise, and please urge him to commission me at once. Please get Mr. Morton to see him with you as I assisted him in his election for the convention. The time is approaching for a fight and I am very anxious to be in. Please let me hear from you at your convenience.

Your friend, — A. W. Groves

P. S. Gen. Kemper told me a few days since he had written to Dr. Gibson and urged them to commission me immediately as no appointments had been made from Madison & Greene [counties]. — A. W. G.

(Direct to Rochelle)