A Guide to the William H. Whitney Civil War Letters, August-September 1864
A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 3679
Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of Virginia
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USA
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Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
William H. Whitney Civil War Letters, Accession #3679, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
These letters were purchased by the University of Virginia Library from the Symmachus Trading Company, Boston, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951.
Biographical/Historical Information
William H. Whitney was a member of the 38th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry. On September 19, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of Opequon, Winchester, Virginia, and was discharged from service in December.
Scope and Content Information
This collection consists of five letters of Lt. William H. Whitney, Union officer, who wrote to his mother, Mrs. C.F. Whitney Russell, and a brother, Frank. E. Whitney, both of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, concerning camp life and skirmishes near Berryville, Virginia, in General Philip Sheridan's campaign in 1864.
Arrangement
These letters are arranged in chronological order.
Contents List
Whitney writes that he is leaving Monocacy, Maryland, by platform cars for Harper's Ferry, with the scenery "splendid by moonlight." He describes Harper's Ferry and continues describing the rest of the troop movements to Cedar Creek, five miles from Strasburg, Virginia, and then on to Berryville, Virginia, after General Sheridan learned of a "flank movement."
From "In the woods near Charlestown," Whitney tells his mother they are engaged in building breastworks, with the enemy in full force in the front. "Events now are transpiring," he says, "which will end or prolong for sometime our campaign in this valley." He cautions his mother not to believe all reports in newspapers concerning fighting, as some of these are "grossly exaggerated."
Whitney now is encamped near Berryville, where the enemy attacked their lines the first night after arrival but were forced to stop because of dark, giving Union troops time to build works in front of their position. Several skirmishes have occurred. Whitney also writes about Jeff, "the boy I brought from Alexandria" to prepare his meals.
Whitney writes from picket duty near Berryville that thus far general engagement has been avoided, although he tells of a skirmish involving the 8th Corps while moving to their present location from Summit Point. He believes General Jubal Early is before them with all his force but does not want to attack while the camp is entrenched.
Whitney writes his mother from his present line near Berryville that Union troops have been ordered to pack their baggage in preparation of a move. General Ulysses S. Grant has been in consultation with General Sheridan, he says, and thinks something should be done on the offensive. Whitney believes they may move on to winter quarters. He comments on the delay in his promotion, and says there is worry about the methods that state governments are using to fill depleted ranks.