Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Warren French Copybook must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Warren French Copybook, Ms2008-009 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Acquisition Information

The Warren French Copybook was purchased by Special Collections in 2008.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Warren French Copybook commenced and was completed in March 2008.

Biographical Information

Warren French, a Boston carpenter and stair builder, was born at New Sharon, Maine, ca. 1822. He joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts on April 25, 1851 and was honorably discharged from the company on May 11, 1857.

French joined the 11th Massachusetts Independent Battery as a captain in August 1862. In November, the unit was assigned to defend Washington, and it remained in northern Virginia until returning to Boston, where it mustered out on May 11, 1863. French joined Company A of the 42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (100 days men) as its captain on July 14, 1864. Following his Civil War service, he rejoined the Artillery Company on May 15, 1865 and was again honorably discharged on May 13, 1867. Warren French died on May 19, 1879.

The 42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was organized at Reedville, Massachusetts. Company A seems to have been organized around a unit known as the Franklin Light Battery of Boston. The regiment was mustered into United States service in July 1864, and was assigned to guard duty at Washington D.C. where it was largely responsible for maintaining security of the trains transporting supplies between Washington and the Shenandoah Valley. The regiment was mustered out of service on November 11, 1864.

Scope and Content

This collection contains a copybook maintained by Warren French, captain of Company A, 42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia during the Civil War. Within the book, French made copies of muster rolls; clothing, ordnance and equipage reports; special and general orders; and memoranda pertaining to the 42nd during its 100 days' service of garrison duty in the Washington, D. C. area. Accompanying the copy book are photographs of French and a floral memorial.

Index Terms

Subjects:

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