William H. Broughton mustered into the Union Army on 4 August 1862 and was later made captain of Company D, 16th Maine Infantry Regiment. He was captured at Weldon Railroad, Va., circa August 1864, and mustered out on 5 June 1865. The collection consists of letters from William H. Broughton to his father and other family members, written chiefly from camps in Maine, Maryland, and Virginia, describing Broughton's service with Company D of the 16th Maine Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The letters describe Broughton's experiences in the army, including his entry into the Union Army, training, duties, movements, promotions, and general camp life, among other topics. The letters also contain requests for food, money, supplies, and assistance in obtaining a commission and promotions. Some letters mention games and sports, including baseball, ice skating, chess, and checkers. The letters include discussion of the war's general progress, as well as several specific events. In one letter, dated 20 January 1865, Broughton wrote to his father describing his enthusiasm over the capture of Fort Fisher, N.C., and his sadness over the deaths of two officers, Lieutenant B.H. Porter and Lieutenant Preston, who were killed during the assault. Also included are two newspapers noting his military promotions, the cover of a volume that originally enclosed the letters, a 1935 note describing the contents of the volume, and a drawing of William H. Broughton.
