A Guide to the Papers of Henry S. Spaulding, 1859-1865 (bulk 1861-1865)
A Collection in
Special Collections
The University of Virginia Library
Accession Number 38-156
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
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Processed by: Special Collections Staff
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
Papers of Henry S. Spaulding, Accession #38-156, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased by the library on 18 January 1938.
Biographical/Historical Information
Henry S. Spaulding, Captain, 38th New Jersey Volunteers and Lawrence Clinton, Spaulding's brother-in-law, 12th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Scope and Content
The papers contain letters, 1861-1865, of soldiers in the Army of the Potomac, chiefly of Henry S. Spaulding, concerning military service in Virginia, specifically, mustering and training, camp life, bounties, commissions, battles near Fredericksburg, Va., and Richmond, Va., Burnside's expedition to North Carolina (1862). There are comments on General McClellan and Grant, African American troops, strategy of the Army of the Potomac, the capture of deserters and Confederate soldiers.
The letters also discuss issues of low morale, friendly fire incidents, reinlistment, disciplinary problems, an engagement, 1862, near Yorktown, Va., and officers' opinions of the poems written by Spaulding's wife, Anna "Birdie" Spaulding.
Spaulding's letters, 1863-1865, to his daughters concern a scouting party and an artist taking pictures on the battlefield.
Spaulding's incomplete diary, 20 April 1865 to 14 May 1865, kept at Fort Powhatan, Va., comments on Lincoln's death, African American troops, Confederate soldiers, his wife's poems, and politics.
There are also instructions, concerning guard duty and court martials; and a pass, 1862.
The collection also contains letters, 1861-1863, from Lawrence Clinton to his sister Anna Spaulding, concerning army advances, seeking a commission, and his failing health. A letter, 1865, from Helen Hawley to Anna Spaulding conveys family news and her desire to see Jefferson Davis executed.
An earlier letter, 1859, concerns the purchase of barrel staves.
Contents List
re: Battle "Missouri", Burnside Expedition, recruitment at home
re: Camp Casey, Va. Quarters (description); officers; desire to be in battle at Richmond
Detailed description of Engagement near Yorktown, with personal thoughts and reactions
Detailed description of bombardment of Yorktown Camp, with personal thoughts and reactions
re: Mustering and training at Camp [Caldwalleder]; bounties
re: "Legal advice" for Mr. Buskirk's son; Mustering; News of McClellan and Stonewall Jackson in Maryland
re: Camp at [Munsons Hill], Va. Description of battlefields; Desire to fight the "Damd Traitors"
re: General appearance around Frdericksburg, Va.; artist taking pictures on battlefield; George Washington; Father's home
"Instructions for the Guards of the Fort"
re: results of courts-martial at Fort Powhatan, Va.
re: Food; family problems
re: instructions to men of the company
re: Amusing account of scouting party in search of Orderly Sergeant Cooper Wiltsey