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Abbe, Walter. Civil War collection, 1861-1889.

Title: Civil War collection, 1861-1889.

Artificial collection consisting of letters from soldiers to their families, muster and bounty receipts, and commemorative items relating to the activities of and reactions to the Civil War. The most complete series of letters are from William W. Disoway of New York (killed in battle, 13 Oct. 1863). In addition to letters to his family, Disoway's papers include a letter sent by his captain to his parents notifying them of his death; a resolution on his service from officers of his regiment; and letters of condolence to his family. Several of the items are accompanied by wrappers with notes presumably written by his mother, mourning the loss of her son. There are also pen and ink drawings of scenes from the war, including "William's tent," and copies of a carte de visite Disoway had made before his death. He also served as a judge advocate, as evidenced by copies of court-martial proceedings. Other letter-writing soldiers including Walter Abbe of the 37th Regiment, New York Militia; Sergeant George Hale of Westport, Cpl. Allen Smith of Ridgefield, who served in the 17th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers; and Capt. George Starr of the 104th Regiment, New York Volunteers. Includes a discharge certificate (1863) of M. V. B. Dunham (later doctor of Greenfield Hill) from the 43rd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers; two passes issued to Frederick Sturges (1861); and assorted correspondence and legal documents, including a parole, a discharge, and pension records, together with photocopies of letters written by George E. Northrop to his parents in Southport, Conn. (1861-1863). Fairfield Town records relating to the Civil War include correspondence to and from town selectmen, pay vouchers, draft notices, the appointment of an extra postmaster, muster receipts, and bounty receipts (1862-1864). Also contains reunion programs and songs honoring the 17th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, and a handwritten copy of John H. Glover's speech at the Fairfield reunion (1883). Commemorative and published items not associated with a specific person include commemorative envelopes; a copy of the Mobile Evening News from Mobile, Ala. (1862), and the New York Herald issue announcing President Lincoln's assassination (1865); printed documents related to the draft; and rules for the G.A.R. Also contains a list of corps, evidently part of the Corps of Engineers, with hand-drawn and hand-colored symbols for the three divisions within each corps; the artist is anonymous. Oversized items stored in the flat files include a soldiers memorial, 1st Regiment Connecticut Cavalry (1864); a muster list of the 2nd Connecticut Light Battery (1862); and an illustrated certificate of George C. Short's activities in the U.S. Navy. Other persons represented include G. W. Abbe; Andrew Crissey (d. 1863); Ludwig Jeckel; John Kennedy; Charles H. Willson; Francis D. Perry; Ruth D. Root and the Smith family (the last three mentioned have correspondence in the collection).

ArchivalResource: ca. 150 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/232575505 View