Reeks

Letters

• 1847-1863 (Vervaardig)

1 box

This series contains three group of letters, with the first group containing sixteen letters written in the period June 12, 1846 - May 16, 1847, by Edward Everett in San Antonio de Bexar during his service in the Mexican War, to his brother, Samuel W. Everett in Quincy, Ill. A few letters, also from this period, sent to Everett by Captain J. H. Ralston, Colonel R. Jones, Captain James D. Morgan, and Colonel William Weatherford pertain to Everett's disability and eventual discharge from the Army.

The second group has three letters from the period after the Mexican War. The first letter, no more than a note, dated 1852, is from W. H. Bissell concerning a piece of legislation. The other two letters are from 1863, and both discuss the Civil War. One is addressed from Fort Jackson, probably in Louisiana, dated 13 April 1863, opening with "My Dear Father," and closing with "your son Taylar Clark." This writer mentions the Civil War in general terms, and the spelling and grammar are both very poor. The other letter, with much more educated spelling and grammatical style, is addressed "Camp near Warrenton, Va.," dated 6 Sept. 1863, opens with "Dear Parents," and closes "From your affect. son, Henry." This letter discusses army camp life in some detail, including the responsibilities of training U.S. Army Conscripts, various incidents occurring during patrol duty, and an attack that had just been mounted by "Mosebys Gang " at New Baltimore.