Manuscripts

Enoch Root letters

Image not available

Description: The letters are addressed to several of Root's friends and family members while he was traveling around Europe (1858-1859), mining in Colorado (1862), and in the Union Army at Sulphur Springs, and Pilot Knob, Missouri (1863). In the letters Root talks about his travels throughout Switzerland and France, and impending war in Europe, and his experience in the mining town of Laurette, CO, now known as Buckskin Joe, CO. In the letters before he joined the U.S. army, Root often conveys his feelings about slavery and the Civil War; in the two letters after he joined the army, he talks about his experience as a soldier, although his regiment had yet to see action
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1858-1863.
Call number: mssHM 63411-63427
Creator: Root, Enoch(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Pacific Book Auction Galleries, Sale #129, lot #334, March 1997.

Oscar A. Wikeen letter to Roger Gurley

Manuscripts

Eleven-page letter by Oscar A. Wikeen to his friend Roger Gurley, 1st Lieutenant, 42nd Infantry Division, Co. A ("Rainbow Division"). Wikeen wrote this letter from the American Embarkation Center in France after the war had ended. In the letter he talks about his experience in the war, and what he's been doing since the end of the war. He talks in detail about his experience in the Battle of Lorraine, the Chateau-Thierry Drive, and his training in Paris. He talks about the "boche" soldiers, the dead bodies he saw, the beauty of a night attack, his comrades that would not be going home, etc. After the war, Wikeen traveled throughout France. The letter is written on "American YMCA" letterhead.

mssHM 83109

Image not available

Letter from an unknown British naval surgeon to "My Dear Parents & Brothers,"

Manuscripts

This 6-page letter details the experiences and adventures of an unidentified British former naval surgeon who was in Oahu in 1845 after several years of traveling (apparently it had been many years since he had written home). The author starts with his time in Peru where he served in the Peruvian Army under President Augustin Gamarra in his offensive against the armies of Chile and Bolivia; he also talks about Antonio de la Fuente. He details his experience in the army, battles fought, the harsh conditions, famine, bad weather, treating wounded soldiers, etc. He also describes in some detail the cities of Lima, Arequipa and Callao, Peru. The author left Callao on a ship for Monterey, California where he was appointed "Physician General" of the army by Juan Bautista Alvarado. After four years in California, the author joined a French vessel on a journey to Kamchatka and Siberia; he describes in detail his experiences there as well as the harsh conditions met by the crew. The author then went to Oahu and most recently had been appointed surgeon to the British ship Emma. The letter ends with a list of greetings to family and friends back in England. The letter is incomplete and unsigned.

mssHM 70392

Image not available

Fulton Reynolds letter

Manuscripts

An extensive letter from a young Pennsylvanian who joined the United States Army and had been assigned to the 13th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, South Dakota. The letter, written to his sister Laverne, describes conditions at his army post and the wider Black Hills region; he writes about the farmers in the area, the weather and landscape, and his fellow soldiers.

mssHM 83851

Image not available

Edward L. Chatfield letters, (bulk 1850-1865)

Manuscripts

Approximately 110 letters written by Edward L. Chatfield during his time fighting with the American Army in the Western Theater of the war and after his escape from prison. Letters are very detailed in nature and Chatfield talks about the army camps, conditions, his fellow soldiers, fighting, his experience in Vicksburg, etc. Correspondence also includes several letters written by his father, mother, and brothers to Edward L. Chatfield. There are also several poems written by Chatfield and a sketch he did of Henry Wirz. Each letter is accompanied by a full transcript (completed by the donors).

mssCHT

Image not available

Edward L. Chatfield letters, (bulk 1850-1865)

Manuscripts

mssCHT

Image not available

Chatfield, Edward L. (Edward Livingston), 1842-1924. Letter to William Chatfield

Manuscripts

CHT 102

Enoch Root letters

Opening Hours

Admission Info and Tickets

You might also be interested in

Oscar A. Wikeen letter to Roger Gurley

Letter from an unknown British naval surgeon to "My Dear Parents & Brothers,"

Fulton Reynolds letter

Edward L. Chatfield letters, (bulk 1850-1865)

Edward L. Chatfield letters, (bulk 1850-1865)

Chatfield, Edward L. (Edward Livingston), 1842-1924. Letter to William Chatfield