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William Gilbert, of Colchester
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William H. Gilbert diaries
Manuscripts
William H. Gilbert's United States Christian Commission diaries covering the periods from May 24 to July 4, 1864 (HM 82594), October 20 to December 17, 1864 (HM 82595), and January 24 to October 19, 1865 (HM 82596). The notebooks contain notes that Gilbert made in the process of discharging his duties with the U. S. Christian Commission. The last notebook also contains notes for the final report that Gilbert was required to submit at the end of his commission, a list of "letters written," expenses, memorandum of the members of 1841 graduating class, and a tally of collections for the Bible Society. Gilbert's notes describe hospitals, barracks, camps, and schools in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, including contraband camps and "colored" schools; prayer meetings, funerals, temperance meetings, and sermons, conversations with soldiers, officers, hospital chaplains, surgeons, Confederate prisoners, civilians, ministers, fellow agents, contrabands (fugitive slaves), notes for letters written on behalf of wounded soldiers; copies of Gilbert's letters to the U. S. Christian Commission members and fellow agents, records of books, clothes, and foodstuffs distributed and needed; expenses, etc.
mssHM 82594-82596