Papers of William F. Knox, 1827-1915.

ArchivalResource

Knox, William F. (William Francis), 1831-1915. Papers of William F. Knox, 1827-1915.

Papers of William F. Knox, 1827-1915.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/31467642

Nearly all of the correspondence in this collection is from friends and family, leaving the details of William's professional life somewhat a mystery. The letters reveal the Knox family to be quite close-knit, despite its size and disparity in age between William and his younger siblings. David Knox sent numerous letters to his son offering advice on school and finances, as well as news of life in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Later, as a father himself, William also sent letters filled with parental advice to his daughters. Some of the letters suggest William was something of a role model for his younger brothers. One of them, Samuel B. P. Knox, followed William into the field of medicine, and at times requested advice from his older sibling. The Civil War is a prominent theme in the collection. The letters dating from this time reveal David's concerns that William, who was thirty and raising a family, might be drafted by the Union army. They discussed a number of strategies to avoid this possibility, finally deciding that William should pay 300 dollars (provided to him by his father) to procure a deferment from the draft. William's half-brother Samuel volunteered to serve in the War as a field surgeon and wrote a series of letters addressed to David (who apparently forwarded them to William) during his stint with the 49th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry describing his experiences in the battlefield. The Regiment fought in a number of engagements, including the Battle of Fredericksburg. Some of Samuel's letters were hurriedly written in spare moments on the battlefield, providing a running commentary on some of the fighting. In several of the letters, Samuel recounts treating wounded Union army soldiers, as well as captured members of the Confederate army. Also contained in the collection are some of William's school work from his time at Allegheny College, notices for lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, legal documents, and numerous newspaper clippings concerning the political career of Philander Chase Knox.

1.5 linear ft. ( 3 boxes)

University of Pittsburgh