White, William C. Letter William C. White Letter, 1861 Ms.1989.098

William C. White Letter, 1861 Ms.1989.098


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
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Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1989.098
Title
William C. White Letter 1861
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
White, William C.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Letter from William C. White of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War, written to his parents, noting the desertion of several from his company due to the lack of whiskey, the availability of fresh bread, and the "awful price" charged by the sutler.

Administrative Information

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William C. White Letter, Ms1989-098, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William C. White Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the William C. White Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.


Biographical Note

William C. White, son of Maurice and Elizabeth White, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1843. By 1860, according to the federal census, the Whites were living in the East District of Philadelphia's 10th Ward, where 17-year-old William was employed as a lithographer. White enlisted in Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 19, 1861. He was promoted to corporal on October 1, 1862, and to sergeant on February 1, 1863. He mustered out upon completion of three years' service, on August 27, 1864. The 1880 federal census lists a 38-year-old driver named William White among the boarders in the home of Annie Gassbein on Filbert Street, Philadelphia. William C. White, veteran of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, appears in the 1890 federal census of Union veterans as a resident of 1629 Filbert Street. William C. White died in Philadelphia on January 7, 1893, and was buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by William C. White of Company I, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War. Written at Camp Monocacy on November 20, 1861, the letter is addressed to White's parents. "We are not much afraid of the rebel pickets but they are afraid of us," White writes. "[I]f they see one of us they dodge behind a tree if they did fire on us they would not do no harm as we have rifle pits all along the potomac." White writes that it is not so easy to take "french leave" (i.e., desert), due to the many patrols near camp, but he adds that "about 15 deserted out of our company because they could not get no whiskey about here as they are all whiskey bummers and we are glad to get rid of them ..." He predicts that the regiment will remain in place for the winter and notes that they are building ovens and having fresh bread every day. White reports that they can buy anything they need from the sutler, including pies and cakes, but at "an awful price." He then asks his parents to send him some raisin bread and looks forward to receiving stockings and mittens from home. At least one page of the letter appears to be missing.

Related Material

The William C. White Letters , MC 17, Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William C. White Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Container List

folder 1
Letter
1861