Found 53 collections related to United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives

Charles E. Pierce (1842-1907), a farmer from Oneida County, New York, served as a private in Company I of the 146th New York Infantry from 1862 to 1865 during the American Civil War. The Charles E. Pierce cash book, 1853-1879, contains a narrative of his capture at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864 and imprisonment at Andersonville, Georgia and Florence, South Carolina; records kept at Camp Parole Hospital, most likely by W. L. Cooper and Pierce as chief ward masters, 1865; Pierce's post-war cash accounts, and his genealogical notes. The volume was previously used by the mercantile firm of Orme, Wilson & Co. of Loudon, Tennessee, and individually by its partner R. T. Wilson, 1853-1863. The volume is accompanied by a letter written by Pierce at Camp Parole to his mother, 1865 May 21; a form letter from a veterans' association dated 188-; his admission ticket to the Soldiers' Reading Room in Philadelphia, and a few clippings relating to the Civil War. less

Transcript of a diary kept by an unidentified Union soldier of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry between August 12, 1864 and June 10, 1865. Beginning with his arrival at Camp Stoneman, diary describes the daily life of a soldier and details the movements of his regiment, including action at the Battle of Five Forks, the Battle of Sailor's Creek, the Battle of Appomattox Court House, the surrender of General Lee, and the assassination of President Lincoln. less

Diary kept Jan. 1, 1861 to April 20, 1862 by O. R. Gross (believed to be Oren Gross), a piano teacher from Truro, Massachusetts, living in New York City. Discusses boarding house life and social activities; mentions giving music lessons in part payment for board; tuning pianos singing in churches; comments on excitement in New York over news of bombardment of Fort Sumter and the Battle of Bull Run; the New York Herald's attitude toward Civil War, and a trip home to Truro, Massachusetts less

John Dod Ward (1795-1873) was an American marine engineer who lived and worked in New Jersey, Vermont, New York, and Montreal. His son, Charles Dod Ward (1838-1915), was a civil engineer who married Ada Davey, daughter of Henry Lewis Davis and Jane Moore Sprong of Oswego, New York. The John Dod Ward family papers date from 1800 to 1936 and document the activities and lineage of the Ward, Roburds, Davis, and Sprong families through correspondence, business papers, diaries, photographs, and genealogical research files. John Dod Ward and Charles Dod Ward are the best-represented individuals in the collection. less

Richard Gregory Lay was a lieutenant in the U.S. Regulars at the start of the Civil War. He was promoted to captain in 1862, brevet major in 1863 and lieutenant colonel in 1865. He resigned from the Army in 1870. His family apparently resided in the New York City area; the letters include mention of Flatlands (Brooklyn). The collection consists of 24 letters (3 are fragments), most of them written by Lay to his wife Carrie in 1863 and 1865 from locations in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania describing his service as an officer in the 3rd U.S. Infantry. Letters concern army life, his health, and family matters. Letters from 1863 mention the battle of Chancellorsville and Lee's retreat from Gettysburg. Letters from 1865 concern his regiment's service guarding General Meade's headquarters; the pursuit of Lee's army towards Lynchburg, Virginia; Lincoln's assassination and the reaction of Southerners to the end of the war. The collection also includes an undated wartime letter from his father, a letter addressed to his father regarding Lay, and a postwar letter from Lay to his wife. less

The Sedgwick family lived in Stockbridge, Mass. Collection consists of letters, writings, photographs, and printed matter. Letters, 1849-1855, are from Theodore Sedgwick to his son, Arthur G. Sedgwick. Writings include album of poetry, 1812-1847, by Susan Sedgwick; memoir of Theodore Sedgwick, 1865; Libby Prison (Richmond, Va.) Civil War diary, 1864, and account of journey to Caracas, Venezuela, in 1885, both kept by Arthur G. Sedgwick; and reviews and articles, ca. 1869-1899, he wrote. Also, photographs of family and of trip to Caracas. less

The letters document the military experiences of Charles and Joel Griswold of Guilford, Connecticut with the 15th Connecticut Infantry and Charles' service with the 29th Connecticut Infantry (Colored) during the Civil War. They include accounts of the Battle of Fredericksburg, camp life and operations at Portsmouth, Newport News and Suffolk, Virginia and New Bern, North Carolina, siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, and post-war service in Brownsville, Texas. The letters are addressed to their sister Mary. less

Edward (Ned) Cranch Homans (1843-1894), stock broker and founder of Homans & Company, married Catherine Frances (Fannie or Frankie) Eells (1845- ) in 1864. Correspondence of the Homans family spans the years 1850 to 1938 and is of interest not only as a record of Homans family history, but also for the information it provides on daily life in the 19th century. less

Harry Rockafellar (1840-1875) was an American merchant, Civil War veteran, and commanding Colonel of the 71st Regiment, New York State National Guard, from 1869 to 1872. Harry Rockafellar was the son of Mary M. and Asa J. Rockafellar of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He resided in New York City prior to the Civil War, and enlisted in the 71st N.Y.N.G. at its outbreak, serving in Company F. Rockafellar was severely wounded at the battle of First Manassas, resulting in the amputation of his left arm and capture by the Confederates. He spent several months in Liggon's Tobacco Warehouse, a hospital and prison in Richmond, Virginia. He served in other units after his exchange, notably as a Captain in the U.S. Army Invalid Corps (Veteran Reserve Corps). After the war, Rockafellar worked in New York City as an importer and commission merchant in the clothing trade. He maintained his connection with the 71st N.Y.N.G., serving as commanding Colonel of the regiment from 1869-1872. He married Jenny L. Baker, daughter of Alfred E. Baker, a New York City fire marshal, in 1867. Harry Rockafellar died in Orange, N.J. in 1875. The collection consists of letters written by Harry Rockafellar, 1860-1875, reflecting his Civil War service, his business travels abroad, and his personal and family life, as well as a small amount of related correspondence, photographs, writings and miscellaneous personal items. Most of the letters are written to his mother, Mary M. Rockafellar; other recipients include family members and his future father-in-law, Alfred E. Baker. Wartime letters, 1861-1864, with mention of camp life, social activities, and family matters, mainly document his wounding and capture at battle of First Manassas and his life as a prisoner of war in Richmond, Virginia, in 1861, and his duties as an Invalid Corps officer, 1863-1864, while stationed in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Also present are Rockafellar's 19 Nov. 1861 letter to the editor of a Philadelphia newspaper concerning prisoner exchange, and a letter of appreciation dated 7 Jan. 1862 from Congressman Alfred Ely, a fellow former prisoner. Postwar letters concern his marriage to Jenny L. Baker in 1867; three business trips to Europe in 1871, 1872 and 1873; his health; and his mother's well-being and financial affairs. Business travels took him mainly to Manchester, London, and Paris. The 1872 trip, taken with his wife Jenny, is extensively described in their separate letters to his mother and uncle. Notable content includes seven letters written 1861 July 26-Oct. 1 as a prisoner of war, and his letter of 27 July 1871 describing conditions in Paris in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune. Photographs include an 1862 carte-de-visite of Harry Rockafellar in uniform, and a later portrait; a carte-de-visite of Alfred E. Baker in his uniform as fire marshal, 1865; and a photograph of Sudley Church, Bull Run (Brady's Album Gallery no. 315). Writings include an undated 5-page typescript of reminiscences recalling his encounters with President Abraham Lincoln, while on guard duty in Washington, D.C., at Fort Stevens, in a personal interview, and as part of the guard of honor over his remains; and an 1868 offprint of the report of the Seventy-First Regiment's Civil War service submitted by Lt. Col. Rockafellar to the Adjutant General of the State of New York. Personal miscellany includes Rockafellar's wedding announcement and business card, and seven specimens of 19th-century Confederate, U.S. and Canadian paper currency. less

This diary was kept by Henry Sylvanus Adams, adjutant of the 41st Regiment of the Massachusetts Infantry and later lieutenant of the 3rd Regiment of the Massachusetts Cavalry, from November 21, 1862 through November 14, 1863. Entries cover the period of his departure from New York with General Nathaniel P. Banks for New Orleans on December 3, 1862, and his service in the Department of the Gulf until his resignation. The diary is accompanied by a list of clothing issued by Adjutant Adams to the non commissioned staff of the 3rd Regiment Massachusetts cavalry from October 9, 1862 to October 30, 1863; a list of casualties in the 3rd Regiment from February-November 1863; a consolidated morning report of the 3rd Regiment from November 14, 1863; a soldier's letter written by Eben P. Dunning on September 29, 1863; and a lithographed view of Camp Brightwood less

Letters written by James H. Leggett to his family in Saratoga County, New York from California (1852-1853), and from the South during his service in the Union Army (1861-1863). Also included is a letter from David Howland of Northampton, dated 1856 February 17 less

James S. Williams was a sergeant of the 114th Infantry Regiment, Company F, Volunteers during the American Civil War. He kept this diary from January 1-December 31, 1864. Entries describe maneuvers in Louisiana; being taken prisoner (April 9); hospital and prison life; his exchange and transport from New Orleans to Key West and New York; ill treatment; Fortress Monroe, Washington, and Harpers Ferry; returning to his regiment and being appointed sergeant; and camp routines. Parole documents and letters are inserted in the volume less

Civil War diary of George T. Howard, Company D., 9th Iowa Volunteer Regiment. A resident of Scotch Grove, IA, Howard enlisted on November 20, 1861 and traveled to Camp Warren in Pacific City, MO. Howard was twenty-four when he enlisted. He was wounded during the war and mustered out on March 10, 1862 at Pea Ridge, AR. The diary, in which there is a large bullet hole, is written in pencil. Entries fill approximately half of the volume less

George A. Hubbard (1843-1914), a native of Oneida County, New York, served in the 117th New York Infantry during the American Civil War. The collection consists of letters, diaries, notes and carte-de-visite photographs, mainly recording George A. Hubbard's Civil War service in the 117th New York Infantry from 1862-1865. Hubbard's diary for 1861 describes his daily life in Sauquoit (Oneida County), New York. His letters, all addressed to his parents, and his remaining diaries, provide detailed description of his daily activities in military service, from camp life to battles. Also present are Hubbard's notes and those of later researchers, and five carte-de-visite photographs of men in military uniform, all identified, three of whom served in the 117th Infantry. less

Diary of Stone's service in Company H, 16th Massachusetts Infantry, Apr. 1861-June 1864. From North Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Baltimore and Washington, to campaign in Virginia, to convalescent camp. Also includes an account of action between Merrimac and Monitor; miscellaneous memoranda; etc. Entries from 8 Dec. 1862-4 Feb. 1864 are missing less

Diaries recollect the personal experiences of John C. Whiting and his daughter Betty Whiting. John C. Whiting diaries, 1861-1863, cover his enlistment and daily military activities, many of which took place in eastern Virginia. Diaries, 1924-1969, kept by Betty Whiting as an adult and homemaker, record domestic and social matters, family, friends, and the weather. Also, muster roll of the 31st New York Regiment dated May 1861. less

Diary kept by Maj. John Hendrickson (later, maj.-gen.), January 1-December 12, 1862 while on campaign with the 83rd New York Voluntary Infantry, 9th New York Militia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Hendrickson took part in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run and in the Battle of South Mountain less

Journal of Joseph C. Canning covers his period of service as Acting Assistant Paymaster, United States Navy, aboard the U.S.S. Cambridge on blockade duty off the Virginia and Carolina coasts and on duty off the New England coast, 1861-1864; aboard the U.S.S. Mohican on active duty off the Virginia and Carolina coasts during campaigns of Forts Fisher and McAllister, and the final campaigns of the American Civil War, 1864-1865; and aboard the U.S. Ironclad Shawnee off the New England coast, 1865. Includes original poems, several manuscript orders of Confederate officers W. Lamb and D.T. Millard, many clippings on the Civil War and death of President Garfield. Index to principal events is included less

Diary belonging to Joseph D. Galloway, U.S. Army, Co. M, 3rd Pennsylvania cavalry. Diary was maintained 15 March 1861-24 August 1864 during his service with the Army of the Potomac though the campaigns in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Holograph transcript of the original diary in 2 volumes less

Diary of Joseph Isaacs, [Corporal?] U.S. Army Co. A, 9th New York Volunteers (Hawkins Zouaves), kept from May 1, 1861-Feb 4. 1862. Mustered in New York City, thence to Newport News, VA.; covered retreat after engagement at Big Bethel; mutiny of some because enlistments had expired and lack of pay; campaign around Fort Clark, Hatteras Inlet, N.C less

Twenty-six letters from Samuel S. Elder, Major, 1st Artillery Regiment, U. S. Army, to Mrs. Katherine K. Peebles (Mrs. Robert H.), dated January 1861-November 1864 and 1867 and sent to Peebles in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Letters discuss matters related to the Peebles family and their activities in and around New Castle, as well as military matters, chiefly in the northern Virginia campaigns of the American Civil War less

Collection consists of correspondence of the Brown family of Columbus, Ohio. Chiefly letters of Lucius Franklin Brown (1839-1863) to his father, Bradford B. Brown, to his sisters Olive and Virginia (Mrs. Charles T. Flowers), to his brother-in-law Charles T. Flowers, and to his cousin Edgar N. Wilcox while he was a student at the English and Classical Family School for Boys in Farmington, Conn., 1852-1855, while employed as an architectural draftsman in Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tenn., and while serving as a lieutenant in the 18th Infantry, United States Army, 1862-1863. Includes a letterpress copybook of his official letters, 1862-1863. less

Cabot Jackson Russell (1844-1863), Captain of Company H of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Colored Volunteers, was killed in action at Fort Wagner, S.C. Collection consists of letters from Russell to his father, William C. Russell, concerning his schooldays in Boston, his introduction into the Army in 1862, and his subsequent military career. Also, letters and materials, 1863-1865, from officers and men relating to Russell's death; and letters, 1863, about President Lincoln. Correspondents include J.M. Forbes, Garth James, Henry James, Sr., Francis Lieber, and George L. Stearns. less

H. Lansdale Boardman served as a private in Company G, 22nd Regiment New York Volunteers, during the Civil War. The collection consists of letters written by Private Boardman to his mother while he was serving in the commissary department of Company G, 22nd Regiment New York Volunteers at Fort Monore, Virginia, and at "Fort Aspinwall" (named after the regiment's commander, Lt.-Col. Lloyd Aspinwall) near Harper's Ferry, and Bolivar, Virginia. The letters describe the rountine of camp life, guard duty, picket duty, military parades and drills, the devastated condition of the town of Harpers Ferry, deserted by its inhabitants, the military diet, the feeding of the troops in the commissary tent, supplies of fresh foods received from local vendors, visitors at camp, and the arrival of 87th Ohio Volunteers, the 111th N.Y. Volunteers, and the 15th Indiana Battery. Mention is also made of the arrival of one of [Matthew] "Brady's men" who took pictures of the regiment for sale at "infernally high" prices. Included is a carte-de-visite photograph of Boardman in militrary tunic, and a contemporary press clipping captioned "Western Virginia / The Twenty-Second New York Regiment at Bolivar". less

The Beach family included Joseph Wickliff Beach (1822-1891), his wife Mary A. Walkley Beach (1824-1897), and their children David Nelson Beach, Lucy W. Beach, Harlan Page Beach, and Anna S. Beach. Collection consists of correspondence and other papers of Joseph Wickliff Beach, his wife, their children, and other members of the Beach and Walkley families. Correspondence deals mainly with family and personal affairs, and reflects everyday life in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and Colorado. Also, letters concerning life of soldiers in the U.S. Civil War, and poetry written and collected by Mary Beach. less

Daniel Hubbard Scott was a corporal, later private, in Company A, 35th New York Infantry. He was discharged for disability in July, 1862. Scott's pocket diary mentions his daily activities, marches in Virginia, weather, war news, personal expenses, his hospitalization due to a gunshot wound to his hand, and discharge. less