A Guide to the William H. Whitney Civil War Letters, August-September 1864 Whitney, William H., Civil War Letters 3679

A Guide to the William H. Whitney Civil War Letters, August-September 1864

A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 3679


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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Mitzi Clark

Repository
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Accession number
3679
Title
William H. Whitney Civil War Letters, August 1864-September 1864
Physical Characteristics
This collection consist of five letters.
Language
English

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

Letter of William H. Whitney to his mother, Mrs. C.F. Whitney Russell August 20, 1864

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."

Letter from William H. Whitney to his mother, Mrs. C.F. Whitney Russell August 30, 1864

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."

Letter from William H. Whitney to his mother, Mrs. C.F. Whitney Russell September 9, 1864

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.

Letter of William H. Whitney to his brother, Frank E. Whitney September 11, 1864

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.

Letter of William H. Whitney to his mother, Mrs. C.F. Whitney Russell September 18, 1864

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.