John D. (John Darragh) Wilkins (died 1900) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a U.S. Army infantry officer who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1846. He served in the Mexican War and the Civil War, retiring in 1886 with the...
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John D. (John Darragh) Wilkins (died 1900) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a U.S. Army infantry officer who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1846. He served in the Mexican War and the Civil War, retiring in 1886 with the rank of colonel. Wilkins was the son of Army officer John Holmes Wilkins and Mary Darragh. The collection contains nineteen letters written by John D. Wilkins to his mother Mrs. Mary Wilkins, describing in rich detail his life as a West Point cadet, from his plebe year to approaching graduation, 1842 August 7-1846 May 17. There are also two letters to his brother, H.B. (Hugh Brady) Wilkins, concerning a fire that destroyed their family home, 1845 April 24, and their career prospects, 1845 December 9. There are no letters for the year 1844; a letter dated 1842 February 25 was apparently written 1843 February 25. Classmates mentioned in passing include his friend and roommate George B. McClellan and Garland Whistler (Joseph N.G. Whistler). Letters also touch on news about family and friends, his mother’s financial concerns, and his brother Brady’s attendance at Yale College and his plans to work in the law. In addition the collection contains his undated manuscript, “Love of Country,” identified as a Fourth of July oration at San Elizario, Texas.
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