Manuscripts
California Civil War Letters
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Ditson, -----. Affidavit of his Civil War service
Manuscripts
Letters that Hardy wrote to his parents during his Civil War service constitute the bulk of the collection. The letters describe the work on the defenses of Washington, D.C., including Forts Massachusetts (Stevens), DeRussey, Talbot, Ripley, Alexander, Franklin and Sumner; life in camp, particularly the food, healthcare, and various sports and amusements; the men of his regiment, including the hated regimental surgeon suspected of killing off "weak soldiers" and an "old Hypocrite" of a chaplain' encounters with fugitive slaves, slaveholders, Confederate prisoners, Union conscripts, etc. Hardy also discusses the affairs at home, (including the fate of his dog), and renders his opinion on war news and state and national politics, e.g. the draft and the Copperheads. Longing for a battle, he also shared various schemes that would allow him to be transferred to cavalry or the Navy. The letters also contain accounts of the beginning of Grant's Overland campaign and the battle of Poplar Springs where he lost his arm as well as descriptions of the Columbian Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the Beverly Hospital in New Jersey.
HM 81829
Military register : Company "A," 3d Reg't Massachusetts Cavalry
Visual Materials
Image of a military register for Company A of the 3rd Regiment of the Massachusetts Cavalry during the American Civil War; vignettes featuring the goddess Columbia with sword and shield upheld by the Constitution, the United States Capitol, American flags, American bald eagles, cherubs, columns, women, and soldiers with their families; names of company officers and soldiers at center, including lists of those who deserted, died, or were discharged, transferred, or killed in action.
priJLC_MIL_000825
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David Wood letter to William J. Hiles
Manuscripts
An autograph, signed letter from David Wood, a member of the West Virginia 1st Cavalry Regiment; he is writing to a former member of the regiment, William J. Hiles. The letter is written from Camp Russell, Virginia, and contains news of many fellow soldiers in the regiment, some of whom have had horses shot out from under them or had been wounded in various battles; Wood also mentions some who have been ill and left the Army or have deserted. The letter is beginning to tear along the folds and there is an old repair along the top of the letter. Enclosed with the letter is the back only of a pictorial envelope.
mssHM 84102
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Orderly books of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, Valley Forge, White Plains, West Point, Orangetown, Totoway
Manuscripts
Regimental orderly books of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, written by Francis Tufts, adjutant, containing general, brigade, regimental, and garrison orders, proceedings of courts martial, etc.
mssHM 719 (1-16)
Orderly book of the New Hampshire Battalion, 1783, Mar. 12 - Apr. 13, Newburgh, N. Y
Manuscripts
A fragment of the orderly book of the New Hampshire Battalion containing chiefly brigade and general orders
mssHM 588
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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