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], [folder], H. J. Eaton Memoir, undated, Ms2023-018, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The H. J. Eaton Memoir was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in April 2017.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the H. J. Eaton Memoir was completed in May 2023.

Biographical Note

Herman J. Eaton was a Corporal in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He enlisted on August 14, 1862, at Hillsborough, New Hampshire, as a Private in Company E of the 11th Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteers. During the war, Eaton fought in a number of the most important battles, including Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North-Anna, Bethesda-Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. At one point, Eaton was promoted to Corporal during his service, but he was reduced to Private on March 1, 1865. Eaton was wounded on June 16, 1864 during the Battle of Petersburg, and he spent the remainder of the war in hospitals before being mustered out on May 25, 1865 at the end of the war.

Eaton was born to James and Rebecca Eaton on July 20, 1839, in Goffstown, New Hampshire. He married Cynthia M. Crombie on February 12, 1867, in Concord. Eatno was a farmer upon enlisting, but after the war, he worked in a foundry (1870 census), as a "hardware merchant" (1880 census), and as a "pattern fitter" (1900 census). The couple lived all over the U.S., including Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia. He died on December 20, 1914, in Burnham, Maine, and is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro, Virginia.

External sources:

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1850-1900

"Herman J Eaton" in the U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2013068:1555 , accessed October 5, 2023.

"Eaton, Herman J." in the National Park Service's Civil War Soldier Database, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=DF993599-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A , accessed October 5, 2023.

"Herman J. Eaton", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24494350/herman-j-eaton , accessed October 5, 2023.

"Herman J Eaton" in the New Hampshire, U.S., Civil War Service and Pension Records, 1861-1866, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/13523:61896 , accessed October 5, 2023.

"Herman J Eaton" in the New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage Records, 1700-1971, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/73864:61836 , accessed October 5, 2023.

"Herman J Eaton" in the U.S., National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/307023:1200 , accessed October 5, 2023.

Scope and Content

This collection contains an undated memoir - the second of two volumes - written by Corporal H. J. Eaton covering his service as a Union soldier during and immediately after the American Civil War from 1864 to 1867. Inside the front cover Eaton writes, "A sketch of Army life, or My days and nights on the battlefield, Vol. 2, Giving a Sketch of Battles, Scenes on the March &c by Corp. H. J. Eaton of Co. E 11th Reg. N.H.V. 2nd Brig. 2nd Div. Ninth Army Corps." In the memoir, Eaton discusses his personal experience, beginning in May 1864 after the Battle of Spotsylvania and continuing through the end of his service in the war. Towards the end of the volume, he notes the battles that were included in the memoir: Spotsylvania, North-Anna, Gaines Mills, Bethesda-Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. Eaton also discusses other aspects of military life including marches, interaction with officers, and interactions with local residents. Eaton also briefly discusses General Ulysses S. Grant's headquarters. The last pages of the memoir are filled with poetry written by Eaton, friends, and other soldiers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Petersburg (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of, Va., 1864
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

General Note

The collection was purchased under the title "Harold J. Eaton Memoir". During processing, Eaton's name was determined to be Herman J. Eaton, and he used H. J. Eaton on the document. Therefore, the collection was retitled, "H. J. Eaton Memoir".