Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to unnamed aunt. Barnwell discusses the start of his German education, including his efforts in avoiding American and English acquaintances to better immerse himself in the language, and describes the sorrow he feels for how hard German women have to work without servants.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing his activities as he prepares for his job as professor at South Carolina College. Barnwell writes of purchasing the cook and maid of outgoing professor, Dr. Francis Lieber, "partly [out of] comfort" and partly to relieve Dr. Lieber from "parting with slave property in the usual way of public sale."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, discussing his professorial duties at South Carolina College and updating her on the status of his siblings who are living with him in Columbia. He also mentions South Carolina histories written by William James Rivers, David Ramsay and William Gilmore Simms and some investigative work he is doing for his father concerning their ancestor, John Barnwell. Attached is a letter from his brother, William Finley Barnwell, describing Robert's endless study habits.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing the politics surrounding his reelection as professor at South Carolina college.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to brother, Edward H. Barnwell, from Charlottesville, VA. Robert writes of visiting Edward's alma mater at the University of Virginia and alludes to an offer of employment at the College of William and Mary.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his preparations for another term as professor at South Carolina College.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, offering his opinion on the particulars of his younger brother Stephen's education and describing the vegetable garden he has planted.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, updating her on the growth of his two young sons, Singleton and Robert. Barnwell also refers to "Carolina's backwardness" in its attack of Fort Sumter and believes the action ruins any hope "of redeeming our pledge of independence."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to sister describing his unceasing work tending to sick and wounded Confederate soldiers in Virginia. Barnwell writes that he hopes to return to Columbia the following April when South Carolina soldiers end their tour and perhaps save his summer salary at South Carolina College.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his work visiting camps and hospitals and procuring supplies for wounded and sick South Carolina soldiers in Virginia. The letter contains pages written by his wife, Mary, describing a trip to Munson Hill in Northern Virginia that Barnwell had taken with Generals Beauregard and Johnston. According to Mary, Barnwell could see Union soldiers atop the U.S. Capitol Building and, while there, witnessed a skirmish among picket lines.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, discussing Baptist and Episcopal churches in Beaufort, SC. Barnwell advises his father to "reserve your anti Baptist battery" to the religious press and not local newspapers.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Andover, MA, to his mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, and younger siblings. Barnwell writes of his trip North and describes his reluctance in buying an expensive frock "knowing Papa's circumstances."
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, at South Carolina College, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell discusses housing problems at the college and describes a group of freshman who, in the "Edisto fashion", play cards in lieu of studying.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, at South Carolina College, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell describes his stopover in Charleston en route to Columbia after Christmas break, including his lengthy visit to a dentist.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Beaufort, SC, to his brother William H. W. Barnwell, Charleston, discussing fund raising for William's new church building via the auction of pews and other donations.
