Christian and Frederick Bush collection, 1863, 1898.

ArchivalResource

Christian and Frederick Bush collection, 1863, 1898.

This collection consists of two folders. The first contains original correspondence and typed transactions of that correspondence. The second folder contains a compact disc of digitally scanned images of the same correspondence. The letters date 1863, except for one, which dates 1898. C.L. Leach wrote the 1898 letter to George Bush, and in it Leach notes that he is now married and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He mentions people that he and George both know and asks George to write with any news. Frederick wrote some of the 1863 letters, and Christian, Jr. wrote the others. They are all addressed to their father, Christian Sr., and their brother George. The brothers reflect on the war and describe their experiences. They reveal a disdain for both abolitionists and African Americans and seem to regard the abolitionists in particular as a main cause of the war. The brothers describe some of their combat experiences. Gettysburg is among the battles described by Frederick (Christian was apparently hospitalized at the time). The brothers provide opinions of other men and officers and on the progress of the war. They seemed to often feel that generals were too slow to attack. They sometimes commented on medical care, their health and the weather and expressed longings to return home.

2 folders.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7760315

State Archive of Michigan

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Leach, C. L.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v98697 (person)

United States. Army. Michigan Cavalry Regiment, 7th (1862-1865)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6032g80 (corporateBody)

Bush, Frederick, d. 1864

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g44nx1 (person)

Bush, Christian, d. 1864.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61g0k00 (person)

Frederick Bush and Christian Bush, Jr. grew up in Charlotte, Michigan. They enlisted into the Army together in Eaton Rapids on August 14, 1862. Frederick was 18 years old, and Christian was 25. The brothers were mustered into the Michigan 7th Cavalry, Company D. They saw action in the war's eastern theatre. Both brothers were eventually promoted to the rank of corporal. Frederick was killed in action at Hawes' Shop, Virginia on May 28, 1864. Christian was killed in action at Winchester, Virginia...