Civil War letters, 1864-1866.

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Civil War letters, 1864-1866.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/191279689

This collection contains letters, for the period 1 January 1864 to 7 January 1866, written by Rickard to his family (parents, brother George S., and sisters Lizzie E. and Sarah H.) in Abington. These letters detail his participation in the 1864 and 1865 campaigns of the Armies of the Potomac and the James. Rickard and his African-American troops guarded the train lines and ambulances at the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania (8 May 1864) and Cold Harbor (4 and 9 June 1864). During the siege of Petersburg, he participated in the Battle of the Crater (31 July 1864). When Richmond fell, he entered the city with his troops (2 and 3 April 1864). But for the most part, his African-American regiment was kept out of the front lines and assigned either patrol or fatigue duty. In summer 1865, Rickard was sent to Brownsville, Texas, to be in readiness for war in Mexico. Troops were moved to the Mexican border to enforce the Monroe Doctrine and drive the Emperor Maximillian out (21 November 1865). Rickard's letters conclude on 7 January 1866, although his much-desired resignation from the army was not accepted until 24 March 1866. The letters frequently mention contemporary events, such as state and national elections and the consequences of the Draft Act. He was apparently an enthusiastic reader of newspapers, as well as a strong Republican partisan. The letters discussing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (20 and 25 April, and 11 May 1864) are among the few that display any emotion. Rickard's attitude toward the war varied from predictions of a quick finish to the "Cold Harbor Syndrome" described by historian James McPherson. His letters make clear, however, his understanding that he had a role to play in a world-transforming event. Also included in the collection are two command-related memoranda and an invitation to a Connecticut ball, among other items.

1 box.

Gadsden Public Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6958010

Gadsden Public Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Rickard, James Helme, 1838-1914.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6863zkq (person)

James Helme Rickard (1838-1914), son of George and Sarah (Helme) Rickard, was born in Abington, Conn., in 1838. Before the Civil War he worked as a teacher and grocer, and after went into business in Woonsocket, R.I. He also worked as a newspaper reporter and contractor, and served in the local militia. In 1874 he married Abbie Smith Weld (1847-1917), the daughter of Seth Lothrop and Abby Short Smith Weld. Captain Rickard died on 6 May 1914, and was buried in Union Cemetery, North S...

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tz44c1 (person)

Abraham Lincoln (born February 12, 1809, Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky-died April 15, 1865, Washington, D.C.) was the sixteenth President of the United States from 1861 until his death by assassination. He was the son of a Kentucky frontiersman, Thomas Lincoln, and Nancy Hanks. In 1816, Lincoln moved to Pigeon Creek, Indiana, where he worked on his family's farm. Following his mother's death two years later, he continued working on farms until moving with his father to New Sa...

Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w690293f (person)

Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867. From the description of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico collection, 1847-1967 (bulk 1853-1867) (University of Arizona). WorldCat record id: 28981462 Formerly Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, Archduke of Austria. From the description of Papers of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1864-1866. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79455828 ...