John C. Westervelt and Jasper Westervelt, Civil War soldiers letters, 1862-1863.

ArchivalResource

Westervelt, John C. John C. Westervelt and Jasper Westervelt, Civil War soldiers letters, 1862-1863.

John C. Westervelt and Jasper Westervelt, Civil War soldiers letters, 1862-1863.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57193682

This collection consists of nine letters written by John C. Westervelt to his wife, mother, and son. It also includes five letters written by Jasper Westervelt, Captain John Westervelts son, to his father, mother and grandmother, and two by Lieutenant Walter H. Ramsey also of the New Jersey Infantry, Regiment 22nd addressed to Captain John Westervelt during the latters recovery period in the hospital. Transcripts of the letters and brief summaries including historical background accompany the letters. The collection is organized into three groups by author and chronologically therein. The first set includes the nine letters of John C. Westervelt written while he was a Captain in Company D, depicting the daily tasks of a Civil War solider. He writes to his family about his decision not to pursue a dismissal but to continue his service, with updates on his health as well as the health of friends and fellow soldiers. A letter to his son dated April 29, 1863 reveals a sentimental father appraising the difficulties of family separation during wartime. Several other letters to his son include questions of military operations, the success of these operations, and the progress of the war. His messages also include a discussion about the formation of the Invalid Corps reporting that it was created for injured and crippled soldiers. The second set includes five letters written by his son, Sergeant Jasper Westervelt. These letters express well wishes for his family at home and his father in the service. They include updates on his health and that of his father, and contain only a small amount of military information. The final set of letters includes two letters written by 1st Lieutenant Walter H. Ramsey also of the New Jersey Infantry, 22nd Regiment. The letters, addressed to John C. Westervelt, reveal information on the progression of the Division, including the announcement of the death of Adjutant Post.

0.03 linear feet (3 folders)

New Jersey Historical Society Library