Edward King Wightman letters, 1862-1865 [microform].

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

Edward King Wightman letters, 1862-1865 [microform].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/80443275

The collection consists of a microfilm copy of 135 typescript letters by Edward King Wightman written mainly to his father and one letter dated January 16, 1865, by Sergeant John W. Knowles, which tells of Wightman's death. The fact that Wightman was an educated and articulate man is clearly evident in the letters which give in great detail various aspects of army life including food, clothing, equipment, diversions, discipline, morale, officer-soldier relations, and attitude toward Confederates. They are also more candid than those of most enlisted men. He is particularly critical of regimental and company officers but high in praise of the enlisted men. His regiment was in a supporting role at the battle of the Crater; he was very critical of the performance of the African American troops in that engagement, though he spoke favorably of their conduct in an earlier engagement. He was patriotic and his morale, which was remarkably good, reached its lowest ebb in the weeks following Fredericksburg.

1 microfilm reel.

Emory University. Special Collections and Archives

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8245395

Emory University. Special Collections and Archives

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

United States. Army. Corps, 3rd

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d84kcs (corporateBody)

United States. Army

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6km312r (corporateBody)

The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces and performs land-based military operations. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States and is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution, Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1 and United States Code, Title 10, Subtitle B, Chapter 301, Section 3001. As the largest and senior branch of the U.S. military, the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which wa...

Wightman, Edward King, 1835-1865

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6sg09qx (person)

Edward King Wightman (1835-January 15, 1865) enlisted as a private in Company B, 9th New York Infantry Regiment (Hawkins' Zouaves), August 30, 1862. He graduated from New York University in 1854 and obtained his master's degree in 1857. During the five years prior to his enlistment he wrote for various trade journals in New York City. He served first in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, then in the fall of 1862 he went to Warrenton, Falmouth and then to Fredericksburg, Virginia where he took part ...