John W. Grosh letters
Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
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The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: John W. Grosh letters
Dates: 1856-1868
Collection Number: mssGRO 1-87
Creator OR Collector:
Grosh, John W., -1864
Extent:
Approximately 130 items in 3 boxes
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: The Civil War letters of Corporal John W. Grosh of the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, Company A.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Administration Information
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Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John W. Grosh letters, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Acquisition Information
Purchased through Nick Aretakis Americana at PBA Galleries, Sale 599, Lot 70, October 20, 2016.
Biographical Note
John W. Grosh was the eldest son of Peter Lehn Grosh (1798-1850), a Pennsylvania artist, instrument maker, and fruit and flower
grower. The family, descendants of Palatine settlers, was related to Hosea Ballou and Ethan Allen Grosh, the discoverers of
Comstock Lode. In 1838, Peter Lehn Grosh married Sarah Lorentz; John was their firstborn son, followed by Jacob and Fanny.
In 1857, John and his father moved to Petersburg, Pennsylvania.
In August 1861, John W. Grosh enlisted, as corporal, in the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, Company A. The regiment
was organized at Lancaster, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1861 and ordered to Harrisburg and Pittsburgh and then to Nolin
and Munfordsville, Kentucky. In February, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, and on March 28, to Columbia,
Tennessee where the men were engaged in guarding the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. As part of the Army of the Ohio, the 79th
took part in the expedition to Rodgersville, Alabama (1862, May 13--4), Lamb's Ferry (May 14) and Negley's Expedition to Chattanooga
(May 28-June 17). After that the men were posted on duty at Tullahoma, Tennessee, until August when they were engaged in the
pursuit of Braxton Bragg into Kentucky, including the battle of Perryville (October 8). In the fall of 1862, they stayed at
Mitchellsville, guarding the Louisville Nashville Railroad. In November 1862, the unit was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland.
In December, the regiment took part in the advance at Murfreesboro (December 26-30) and the battle of Stone's River (December
30-31, 1862 and January 1-3, 1863). The men remained at Murfreesboro until June, taking part in the expedition to McMinnville
(April 20-30); and then fought in the Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign (June 23-July 7). They remained in Middle Tennessee,
as part of the forces of occupation until August 16. In August and September 1863, the 79th was part of the Chickamauga campaign.
John W. Grosh was reported killed at the battle of Chickamauga. It later transpired that he was taken prisoner. He died at
Andersonville, September 4, 1864 (grave No. 7839).
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content
The bulk of the collection consists of letters that John W. Grosh wrote to his mother Sarah Lorenz Grosh, sister Fanny Grosh
Bender, and brother Jacob L. Grosh in the course of his military service. Regular and richly detailed letters were posted
from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia; there are no letters for the period between August 20 and October 15,
1862. The group also includes a few letters from Jacob L. Grosh to his brother and letters from Fanny's uncles Daniel and
William H. Grosh. The letters contain a small "diary for the month of May 1862 Co. A. 79th Regiment P.V." and a pencil drawing
titled "Interior of Tent No. 2 of Co. A 79th Regt. P.V. Encampment near Nashville, Tenn. March 16 1862."
Also included is manuscript titled "History of the Campaign for the spring of 1863 by the 66th N.Y. V. Vols. Written by Edward
H. Cornell on the 21st of December 1864" (This is most likely Edward H. Connell, of Co. I; he enlisted under that name and
changed it to Cornell at the time of the discharge in 1865).
There are also letters to Peter L. Grosh from his brother-in-law William Lorentz and the letters from Peter L. Grosh and
John W. Grosh from Petersburg, Pennsylvania, and letters, mostly to Fanny Grosh Bender from her family and friends, written
after John's death; correspondents include Mary C. Graeff, Mary A. Russell, and Lavinia Miller Summy (1832-1904). The collection
also contains letter of condolence from John's commanding officer states that according to the Adjutant General's report,
John died in hospital Richmond on November 21st, 1863. However, on June 5, 1865, Daniel Grosh thanked his niece of "extracts"
of John's letters written from captivity, which showed that he died a slow death "by degrees."
Also included are: Sarah Grosh's pension certificate; a newspaper clipping listing the casualties of the battle of Chickamauga,
including John W. Grosh; clippings from patriotic envelopes; and a small broadside "Crippled Soldier's Song."
Indexing Terms
Personal Names
Bender, Fanny Grosh
Grosh, John W., -1864
Grosh, Peter Lehn, 1798-1859
Grosh, Sarah Lorentz, 1820-1890
Corporate Names
Andersonville Prison
United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 66th (1861-1865)
United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 79th (1861-1865)
Geographic Areas
Georgia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
Kentucky -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
Pennsylvania -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
Pennsylvania -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories -- New York (State) -- Sources
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories -- Pennsylvania -- Sources
Genre
Drawings -- United States -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Diaries -- United States -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
GRO 1
Lorentz, William. Letter to Peter Lehn Grosh, 1798-1859
(1856, June 9)
GRO 2
Lorentz, William. Letter to Peter Lehn Grosh, 1798-1859
(1858, Sep. 19)
GRO 3
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1858, Dec. 21)
Petersburg, Pa. Following the above: note by Peter Lehn Grosh, 1798-1859 to Fanny Grosh Bender.
GRO 4
Grosh, Peter Lehn, 1798-1859. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1859, Feb. 28)
Petersburg, Pa. With two clippings.
GRO 5
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1861, June 17)
GRO 6
Graeff, Mary C. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1861, Sep. 27)
GRO 7
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1861, Oct. 6)
Camp Hambright, near Harrisburg, Pa.
GRO 8
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1861, Oct. 14)
Camp Wilkins, near Pittsburg, Pa.
GRO 9
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1861, Oct. 25)
Camp Nevin, Ky. Incomplete.
GRO 10
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
([1861], Oct. 26)
GRO 11
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1861, Nov. 3)
GRO 12
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1861, Nov. 5)
GRO 13
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1861, Nov. 17)
Camp Nevin, Ky. On illustrated stationery: US Flag "Excelsior."
GRO 14
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1861, Dec. 12)
GRO 15
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1861, Dec. 26)
GRO 16
Grosh, Jacob L. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Jan. 1)
GRO 17
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Jan. 18)
Camp Wood, Ky. On illustrated stationery.
GRO 18
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, Jan. 31)
GRO 19
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Feb. 15)
Camp Wood, Ky. With illustrated envelope: "One Flag, One Country."
GRO 20
Grosh, John W., -1864. Interior of Tent No. 2 of Co. A 79th Regt P.V. Encamped near Nashville Tenn, March 16th 1862: drawing
(1862, Mar. 16)
GRO 21
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, Mar. 18)
GRO 22
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Mar. 31)
GRO 23
Graeff, Mary C. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
([1862], Apr. 6)
GRO 24
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, Apr. 11)
Camp Morehead, near Columbia, Tenn.
GRO 25
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Apr. 14)
Camp Morehead, near Columbia, Tenn.
GRO 26
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, May 2)
Camp Morehead, near Columbia, Tenn.
GRO 27
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, May 4)
GRO 28
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, May 22)
GRO 29
Grosh, John W., -1864. Diary for the Month of May
(1862, May 1-31)
Camp Morehead and Columbia, Tenn. Water stained. Fragile. In pieces.
GRO 30
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, June 8)
GRO 31
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, June 12)
GRO 32
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1862, July 3)
GRO 33
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, July 6)
GRO 34
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, July 6)
GRO 35
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, Aug. 20)
GRO 36
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1862, Oct. 14)
GRO 37
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Oct. 17)
Camp near Crabb Orchard, Ky.
GRO 38
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Oct. 24)
GRO 39
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Oct. 27)
GRO 40
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1862, Nov. 26)
GRO 41
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1862, Dec. 11)
Camp near Nashville, Tenn.
GRO 42
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1862, Dec. 22)
GRO 43
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Jan. 11)
GRO 44
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, Feb. 1)
GRO 45
Grosh, Jacob L. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Feb. 12)
GRO 46
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Feb. 17)
Murfreesboro, Tenn. With illustrated envelope: "The Union Now Henceforth & Forever Amen.
GRO 47
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1863, Mar. 18)
GRO 48
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Mar. 19)
GRO 49
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Apr. 6)
GRO 50
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1863, Apr. 17)
GRO 51
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Apr. 19)
GRO 52
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, May 8)
GRO 53
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, June 8)
GRO 54
Graeff, Mary C. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, June 20)
GRO 55
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, June 30)
Camp between Manchester and Tullahoma, Tenn.
GRO 56
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, July 5)
GRO 57
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, July 9)
GRO 58
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Aug. 3)
GRO 59
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, Aug. 12)
GRO 60
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Aug. 20)
GRO 61
Graeff, Mary C. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Aug. 23)
GRO 62
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, Aug. 29)
GRO 63
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, Sep. 15)
GRO 64
Gibble, Harrison. Letter to S. Parker
(1863, Sep. 26)
GRO 65
Mullin, John J. Letter to John W. Grosh, -1864
(1863, Sep. 21)
GRO 66
Grosh, John W., -1864. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1863, Oct. 24)
Richmond, Va. On verso: note to "Dear Sister" with drawing of US Flag.
GRO 67
Grosh, William H. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1863, Nov. 4)
GRO 68
Grosh, Daniel J. Letter to "Dear Sally"
(1864, Feb. 20)
GRO 69
Grosh, William H. Letter to Jacob L. Grosh
(1864, Mar. 8)
GRO 70
Grosh, Jacob L. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1864, Mar. 22)
GRO 71
Benson, James. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1864, July 19)
GRO 72
Grosh, Daniel J. Letter to Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1864, July 20)
GRO 73
Cornell, Edward H. History of the Campaign for the Spring of 1864 by the 66th N.Y. V. Vols.: manuscript
(1864, Dec. 21)
GRO 74
Grosh, Jacob L. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1865, Mar. 1)
GRO 75
Grosh, Daniel J. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1865, June 5)
GRO 76
Pension Army Voucher for Sarah Lorentz Grosh, 1820-1890
(1865, Nov. 14)
GRO 77
Summy, Lavinia Miller. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1866, Feb. 13)
GRO 78
Summy, Lavinia Miller. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1866, Mar. 1)
GRO 79
Russell, Mary A. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1867, July 20)
GRO 80
Crise, Mahala S. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1868, Feb. 16)
GRO 81
Russell, Mary A. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1868, May 10)
GRO 82
Grosh, Daniel J. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
(1868, July 11-Sep. 7)
Smithville, N.J. Includes note by Mahala S. Crise.
GRO 83
[Graeff, Mary C.]? Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
([1868], Aug. 7)
Columbia, Pa. Very light; difficult to read.
GRO 84
Graeff, Mary C. Letter to Fanny Grosh Bender
([1868?], Sep. 29)
GRO 85
Newspaper clipping listing casualities of the Battle of Chickamauga, including John W. Grosh, -1864
[1863]
GRO 86
Ephemera and Notes
Box 3
Transcripts and Collection Information
Folder 1
Transcripts of John W. Grosh, -1845, letters
Folder 2
Transcripts of John W. Grosh, -1845, letters and images of collection
Folder 3
Information about the collection and the Grosh family