![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Special Collections© 2000 By the College of William and Mary
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Laura Odendahl, 1995.
Collection is open to all researchers.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Augustus C. Golding Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Purchased: 38 items, 07/18/1994.
Augustus C. Golding was born in Greenwich, Connecticut on 20 November 1833. He moved to New York and enlisted as a carpenter. Golding enlisted in the Union Army on 23 November 1861 at Fort Hamilton, New York, and served as a sergeant in Co. G., 1st Battalion, 12th U.S. Infanty, 1861-1864. He fought mostly in Virginia and Maryland, returning to Maryland three times between 1863-1864 to defend it. After two months hospitalization in Pennsylvania and a furlough in New York, Golding returns to Virginia in November 1864 to fight until his discharge on 22 November 1864 at Elmira, New York.
After the war Golding resided in Fordham, New York, until his move to Norwalk, Connecticut, on 5 March 1866. On 6 August 1886 Golding was appointed postmaster at Norwalk, Connecticut. He died on 8 April 1915.
Papers, 1859-1934, but mainly 1862-1864, of Augustus C. Golding (Goldin, Golden). Includes letters, letterbook, diaries, documents, pension papers, printed materials, and photographs. All items relate to Golding's service in the Union Army, 1861-1864, in Northern Virginia, on the Virginia peninsula, and in Maryland.
Golding's letters to family and friends describe troop movements, battles, camp conditions, his health, a hospital, and the weather. Golding describes his participation in the following battles or their aftermath: Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Mechanicsville, 2nd Bull Run or Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He occasionally presents his views on war, politics, and the destruction of Virginia's cities and countryside, and gives financial and practical advice. Includes genealogical data on Golding's immediate family.
He occasionally presents his views on war, politics, and the destruction of Virginia's cities and countryside. He also gives financial and practical advice. The collection contains genealogical data on Golding's immediate family.
This collection has been organized into 7 series: 1. Letters, 2. Pension Papers, 3. Miscellaneous, 4. Printed Material, 5. Photographs, 6. Diaries, 7. Typsescripts. Series 1. Letters is seperated into 2 subseries: 1. Civil War Letters, 2. Post Civil War Letters.
ArrangementEach series is arranged chronologically by date.
A book in this collection has been transferred to the Rare Books Department of Swem Library.
Item contains a listing of officers in the following departments: Adjunct General, Quartermaster, Subsistence, Medical, Pay, Corps of Engineers, and Ordinance.
Acknowledges receipt of his father's letter; relates campaigns since Union army enlistment on 23 November 1861 under H.B. Clitz; immediate promotion to sergeant; spends months at Fort Hamilton; departs for Virginia with a stop in Washington [D.C.]; camps near Fairfax Court House [Virginia] and Alexandria [Virginia]; rides a steamer to Fortress Monroe [Virginia]; camps near Hampton [Virginia], Big Bethel, camp Winfield Scott; in charge of supply wagons left between Yorktown [Virginia] and W[illia]msburg [Virginia]; joins regiment in Cumberland one week later; marched to White House, Cold Harbor, Camp Lovell near New Bridge [Virginia]; builds roads during Battle of Gaines Mill [Virginia]; at site of battle of Hanover Court House, but does not fight; pickets the bridges over the Chickahominy [River]; describes tents; marches toward Mech[an]icsville [Virginia]; charges three times in battle at Mech[an]icsville; falls back when flanked at Savage's Station [Virginia]; marches through White Oak Swamp; attack by Confederates; resumes march toward the James River; sees Gen. McClellan; Confederate attack; repels attack and remains as the last brigade on the field; then falls back to a location that is not healthy; receives letters from Caroline and Sarah; acts as Commissary Sergeant; will write to NY for a commission; Major wounded.
Relates campaigns from 3 July 1862 to 31 October 1862; describes duties as acting and full commissary sergeant; President [Lincoln] reviews division; receives six months pay long due; orders to reduce officers' baggage; pillage of the Charles City Court House records; views remains of slave shot for attempting an escape to Confederate lines; Camps at W[illia]msburg, Big Bethel, Newport News, Fortress Monroe, and Fredericksburgh [sic] on the way to Manassas Junction; fights at second Bull Run; retreats to Centerville, [Virginia]; marches to Frederick [sic] City, [Maryland]; hears the battle on South Mountain and Antietam, [Maryland]; describes dead on battlefield; President Lincoln reviews division; marches to White Plains.
Describes route taken from Fort Hamilton [New York] to Fortress Monroe [Virginia] with stops at Baltimore [Maryland] and Washington [D.C.]; regiment under Gen. Sykes' brigade; camps near Hampton [Virginia]; drills often, and out of money; moves camp to Big Bethel [Virginia], and then to Camp Marion [Virginia]; describes vigilant atmosphere in camps; marches to Camp Winfield Scott [Virginia]; strict orders for silence; feels slighted when regiment did not receive four months pay; Confederate shell almost hit him; marches toward Richmond; in charge of guarding wagons; joins regiment a week later at Cumberland Landing; takes over Hanover Courthouse; engages Confederates in battle on road to Mechanicsville; retreats three miles; attests to Zouaves' skill; retreats to Savages Station; marches through White Oak Swamp [Virginia]; needs water and sleep; marches across Malvern Hills; retreats from battle; next day advances in battle; writes letter home but can not send it until he arrives at Harrison's Landing.
Acknowledges receipt of father's letter; describes route taken from Harrison Landing to Sharpsburg; arrives a few days after Battle of Antietam; describes dead strewn in streets and heaped on battlefield; rides Manassas railroad from Harpers Ferry to Warrenton [Virginia]; marches to Stafford Court House, Virginia - eight miles from Aquia Creek; Gen. Butterfield in command of his corps, replacing Gen. Porter; Gen. Hooker commanding divisions; expects an attack on [Fredericksburgh] [sic]; claims his health is good, and current weight is 180 lbs.
At Warrenton [Virginia] Gen. Butterfield replaces Gen. Fitz John Porter as commander of the 5th corps; the 5th corps is a part of the centre grand division under Major General Joseph Hooker; camps at Warrenton Junction and Hartwood Church [Virginia] en route to Fredericksburg; Hooker passes in an ambulance; camps at Gen. Hooker's headquarters at the Henry House [near Potomac Creek]; marches past Falmouth [Virginia]; on front line in attempt to capture Confederate batteries South of Fredericksburg; evacuates the city; investigation ensues over heavy losses; critical of Union commanders and outcome of investigation; chats with Connecticut friends; returns to Hartwood Church [Virginia]; Gen Hooker takes over Gen. Burnside's command; describes furlough and desertion rates; takes a furlough to New York; President [Lincoln] reviews the troops near Falmouth [Virginia]; another review for Maj. Gen. Fogliardi; local artists produce ambrotypes; Lt. Col. Paul takes command of brigade for a week before his promotion to Brig. General; Gen. R. B. Ayres takes command; crosses Kelly's Ford and the Rapidan [River] to reach U.S. Ford; enemy shells U.S. Ford but fell upon Confederate prisoners; corps covers retreat across river; heavy losses; term of service expires for 20-30 thousand men; camps at Banks Ford where finishes this letter.
Begins letter when furlough in Fairfield [Connecticut] expires; leaves Fairfield [Connecticut] and rests in convalescent camp; joins regiment near Fairfax, Culpepper County, [Virginia]; camps in Brandy Station [Virginia], Bealton [Virginia], and Fairfax Courthouse; describes wagon trains and supplies; marches to battlefield of 2nd Bull Run; describes remains from earlier battle; marches to Gainesville [Virginia], New Baltimore [Virginia], Catlett's Station [Virginia]; then camps two miles from Warrenton Junction and one mile from Three Mile Station at time of the letter; describes expeditions prior to his furlough in Fairfield [Connecticut], but after his last letter written in June [1863], marches 31 miles from Bank's Ford [Virginia] to Manassas Junction [Virginia] with stops at Hartwood Church [Virginia] and Brentville [Virginia]; continues march to Gum Springs [Virginia], Centerville [Virginia], Aldie [Virginia], Leesburgh [Virginia], Edwards Ferry and White Oak Springs; Gen. Meade takes command of Army; marches into Union territory through Frederick City [Maryland], Hanover [Pennsylvania], and Gettysburg [Pennsylvania]; enters hospital; reports good weather lately.
Marches from Three Mile Station [Virginia] along the [Orange &Alexandria] railroad toward the [Rappahannock] River; Confederates open fire to prevent crossing; marches through woods to join right flank after Confederates driven across the [Rappahannock] River; crosses river at Kelly's Ford [Virginia]; dispatch from Gen. Grant announces capture of Lookout Mt. [Tenn.]; crosses the Rapidan [River] at Culpepper Mine Ford; Confederates capture ammunition and ambulance train during march to Gordonsville [Virginia]; fighting ensues and powder in wagons explodes; retreats to Roberson's Tavern [Virginia]; crosses back over the [Rapidan] River at Germania Ford [Virginia]; also crosses back over the Rappahannock [River]; camps at Bealton [Virginia] and then at Kettle Run [Virginia]; expresses concern over possible capture by the Confederates; receives pay.
At present camps west of the Weldon [&Petersburg] Rail Road after a month near the Weldon [&Petersburg] Rail Road; and three weeks on the east side of the Weldon [&Petersburg] Rail Road; relates adventures from last May to the present date; crosses the Rapidan [River] under fire; presents statistics on losses, discharges and new recruits; does not want to winter at this camp; claims only a minority of the army supports Lincoln as a candidate; gives opinions on new regiments; time in the army will expire in one month.
Glad to hear good news about Golden through mutual friends; would like to meet him in New York; asks if he may read Golden's diary of the 12th Regiment during the Civil War.
Acknowledges receipt of Golding's last letter; will write to Capt. Robinson; will tell his brother Harry about Golding's letter; relates news on mutual acquaintances including John Faub, Mr. Bolton, Capt. Stanhope; would like to get in touch with Gen. Hayes, if still alive; intends to obtain from Gen. Hayes in writing what he said to him on the battlefield the day before Hayes was captured; hopes to receive more letters from Golding, and maybe even a visit.
Acknowledges receipt of Golding's letter from 21 February; sorry to learn of Golding's illness; describes his own poor health; worries about losing his memories of the Civil War; angry at the pension office; will send off pension affadavit for Golding soon; also angry at the system of promotions; apologizes for long overdue letter; wife and family send their regards to Mr. and Mrs. Golding.
Describes Augustus C. Golding's injury; army wagon ran over his foot en route to Gettysburg [Pennsylvania]; at hospital from 2 July 1863 to 26 September 1863; took over Golding's duties as Commissary Sergeant in addition to his own as Quartermaster Sergeant.
Promises $75 payment plus interest to Daniel Golden; in accordance with Chap. 176 of the Laws of 1859; Signed by Fred[erick] Townsend, Adjunct Gen[eral] and Geo[rge] F. Sherman, Inspector Gen[eral].
Requests reimbursement for $75 worth of clothing confiscated during War of 1812. The late Daniel Golden received a certificate from the state of New York that promises redemption in accordance with the laws of 1859.
Replies to addressee's letter; claims the certificate from New York holds no value unless Congress appropriates the requisite funds to pay the claims; unlikely this will happen; certificate functions as a basis to apply to Congress.
Already receives a pension; details vital statistics; place of residence at Fordham, New York until 5 March 1866, since then at Norwalk, Connecticut; form filled in and signed by Augustus C. Goldin. [not sent in; a draft or copy?].
[line through date of act-date application filled out written above]; details vital statistics; pension certificate number; places of residence; written on behalf of Augustus C. Goldin, age 78; [not sent in; a draft or copy?].
Payment to commence on 6 May 1915; rate of $12 per month; continue length of widowhood. Issued by the Secretary of the Interior, Franklin Knight Lane, and Commissioner of Pensions, E. C. Tieman.
Increase is in accordance with section 1 of the Act of Congress approved by the President [Wilson] on September 8, 1916; commences on same date. Issued by Franklin Knight Lane, Secretary of the Interior, and E. C. Tieman, Commissioner of the Pensions.
Increase in [widow's] pension [for Jeannette H. Golding, widow of Civil War Veteran, Augustus C. Golding]; issued by G. M. Saltzgaber[?], Commissioner of Pensions.
Increase in widow's pension [for Jeannette H. Golding, widow of Civil War Veteran, Augustus C. Golding]; approved by Congress on May 1, 1920. Issued by G. M. Saltzgaber (?), Commissioner of Pensions, and John Barton Payne, Secretary of the Interior.
By order of H. Raymond, Brigadier General, I. M. Phyfe, Adjunct, and A. B. M. Dally, Colonel.
Begins at Fort Hamilton [New York] on 5 March 1862; ends 27 December 1863. [not the end of his actual service]. n.p.
This includes his parents and siblings only.
Grants appointment of postmaster at Norwalk [Connecticut] to Golding; appointment lasts 4 years from 2 August 1886; emphasizes requirement of postmaster to attend personally to their duties.
Deposition by Ada Hanford Sherwood and Ruth Golding, [daughters of Augustus C. Golding, d. 8 April 1915, and Jeannette Hanford Golding, d. 25 July 1923]; details births and deaths of their paternal grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and siblings; Augustus C. Golding died intestate. Drawn up by a notary public for the state of Connecticut, County of Fairfield.
Copy of diary from 25 June 1862 to 27 July 1862; describes an armed reconnaissance to ascertain whether Gen. Jackson's army was approaching.
State of Maine dedicated a statue of Maj. General Oliver Otis Howard to mark his headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg, [Pennsylvania].
No negative available.
No negative available.
[on reverse side]. Photographic print, 3 7/8" x 5 1/2", black and white, head and torso of a seated man, [same subject as above], identified as A. C. Golding by previous owner. [over exposed]. 1 item. Ph. (P5). No negatives available for either print.
No negative available.
No negative available.
Most action in Virginia.
Most action in Virginia.
Letters dated 20 March 1862-9 November 1864; addresses 54 letters to "Friend Cumming' [Fordham, New York] and 15 letters "My Dear Madam," the wife of Cumming, [Fordham, New York]; 1 unknown addressee; copied by Golding and others; copybook preserved by a daughter of Golding, [according to previous owner];
Typed transcript of Augustus C. Golding's 2 letters to his father and 5 letters to "Friend" [Henry A.] Sturgess. 9 August 1862-23 October 1864.
Typed transcript of copybook of Augustus C. Golding's Civil War letters to "Friend Cumming" or "My Dear Madam" [Mrs. Cumming]. May 1862-9 September 1864. Preface, epilogue, and end notes by Ralph Poriss.
22 November 1861-7 November 1864. Incomplete. Missing 8 November 1864-25 November 1864. Also missing additional entries written by Golding, 28 February 1901-23 November 1908.