Gustavus F. Jocknick Papers

The collection, which is arranged chronologically, contains mostly correspondence from Gustavus F. Jocknick to his friend John Wilkin. In the first two letters, which are written from San Francisco, Jocknick talks about San Francisco and his life in California. In his letters of 1860, Jocknick talks about his attempt to find work in New Jersey, the news of the upcoming war, and secession, the possibility of enlisting in the army, Abraham Lincoln, James G. Bennett and Nehemiah Perry. In his letters from 1861 to 1865, Jocknick talks about the impending war, his decision to enlist, William H. Seward, John C. Ten Eyck, Nathaniel Banks, and the election of Abraham Lincoln; he also talks about his enlistment in the 3rd Regiment of New York Cavalry under James Van Alen and John Mix. Jocknick also talks much about the movements of the armies and possible battles and mentions specifically: George McClellan, Charles P. Stone, Ambrose Burnside, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin F. Butler, August V. Kautz, G. T. Beauregard, George Mead, and Winfield Scott Hancock. Jocknick also mentions the Emancipation Proclamation and his fellow soldiers' reaction to it which were mostly negative.

After the war, Jocknick began working as a clerk at the Office of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. In his letters from this time (1865-1876) he talks about his job and duties as well as James Harlan and President Andrew Johnson. He also talks about the presidential election of Ulysses S. Grant, and the possibility of William Tecumseh Sherman running for president.

In his letters after 1876, May 2, Jocknick is living in Ouray County, Colorado, as a farmer and talks about his life in the West as well as the Ute Indians, land and possible gold and silver mines. There is one letter by Jocknick in 1886 (written from San Diego) to the Pension Bureau. It includes three items regarding his pension.

The last item in the collection is an incomplete letter by Jocknick's son Clifton to his brother Sidney Jocknick. In this letter (written circa 1922) Clifton talks about living in Southern California, and real estate prices and problems in Los Angeles and Pasadena.