Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

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], Henry Helms Letters, Ms2009-008, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Henry Helms Letters were donated to Special Collections.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Henry Helms Letters commenced and was completed in January 2009.

Biographical Note

Henry Helms, son of Ann, was born in 1838. A resident of Philadelphia, Helms worked as a bookbinder for approximately two years prior to the American Civil War. Helms enlisted in Company I, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 10, 1861. He received a head wound at the Battle of Gaines' Mill on June 27, 1862 and was presumed to have died soon thereafter.

Administrative History

The 95th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia beginning in August 1861. The regiment was mustered into Federal service in October 1861 and ordered to the defense of Washington, D.C. later that month. The 95th remained in northern Virginia until April 1862, when it joined McClellan's Virginia Peninsular Campaign. The regiment participated in the Seven Days Battles, before being moved back to northern Virginia. During the next three years, the regiment would participate in all of the major battles of the eastern theatre (including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and Cold Harbor. It also participated in Sheridan's Shenandoah Campaign, the siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. The 95th Pennsylvania Infantry mustered out of service on July 17, 1865.

Scope and Content

This collection contains photocopies of typed transcripts of the American Civil War letters of Private Henry Helms of Company I, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry. Writing from various camps, Helms addresses most of his letters to brother James Helms, at home in Philadelphia. Other letters are addressed to his mother, Ann. Helms' early letters focus mostly on personal matters, including his need for various items of clothing and food. He complains of the camp sutlers, compliments his officers, writes of weather and health conditions (including vaccination for smallpox), mentions mutual acquaintances, describes the execution of a deserter, and notes the ruinous conditions of some northern Virginia mansions. On November 26, 1861, he mentions seeing President Lincoln and describes Lincoln's horsemanship. From November 1861 to March 1862, Helms writes from Camp Franklin, near Alexandria, Virginia. Beginning in April, Helms' letters are written from the State of Maine and from various camps on the Virginia Peninsula. He describes skirmishes, the aftermath of battle, and Confederate prisoners-of-war; and notes camp activities and rumors. His letter of May 8 describes a combat engagement at West Point.

The correspondence also contains two letters from John Harper, commanding officer of Company I, describing Helms' battlefield wound and certifying his death. Also included are letters from C. P. Goodwin and David F. Foley, also of Company I, providing their knowledge of Helms' fate.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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