Guide to the John M. Sell Civil War Collection

Special Collections & Archives

University Library

California State University, Northridge

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Northridge, CA 91330-8326

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: John M. Sell Civil War Collection

Creator: Sell, John M.

Identifier/Call Number: SC.JMS

Physical Description: 1.25 linear feet

Date (inclusive): 1861-1865

Date (bulk): 1861-1863

Abstract: John M. Sell of Erie, Pennsylvania enlisted in the 83rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers July 29, 1861. He was commissioned First Lieutenant on August 27 and promoted to Captain on September 4 the following year. Captain Sell was struck in the left leg by a solid shot at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and died from effects of amputation the next day. The collection consists of correspondence between Captain John Sell and his parents, brothers William and Charles, and sister Sarah during his service in the American Civil War, 1861-1863. It also includes family photographs, cartes de visites of military personnel, and a copy of A.M. Judson's History of the Eighty-Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Erie, PA, B.F.H. Lynn, [1865].

Language of Material: English

Biographical Information:

John M. Sell of Erie, Pennsylvania enlisted in the 83rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers July 29, 1861. He was commissioned First Lieutenant on August 27 and promoted to Captain on September 4 the following year. Captain Sell was struck in the left leg by a solid shot at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and died from effects of amputation the next day.

Scope and Contents

The John M. Sell Civil War Collection consists primarily of letters written by John Sell to his parents and brother William during his service in the American Civil War. In these letters Sell describes his various locations, including training at Camp Wright in Oakmont, Pennsylvania in June of 1861. He also wrote about the 83rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, with whom he was stationed at Camp Hall's Hill by Washington D.C. in November and December 1861, and his regiment's movement to Yorktown in April of 1862, the Potomac in March of 1863, and other locations. He tells of his participation in the Battle at Gaine's Mill and the Battle of Antietam, lists the number of deaths experienced in various firefights, comments on the health and morale of his regiment, describes the actions and death of his superior officer Colonel McLane, and relates the various weather conditions which he and his regiment encountered. The collection also includes one letter written to his brother Charles, and correspondence between his sister, Sarah, and William H. Edmont, who details Sell's injury on the battlefield at Gettysburg, the amputation of his leg, and his subsequent death. In addition to correspondence, the collection includes family photographs, cartes de visite of military personnel, a metal canteen, and a copy of A.M. Judson's History of the Eighty-Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Erie, PA, B.F.H. Lynn, [1865].

Electronic Format:

Digital reproductions of items in this collection are available electronically as a part of the Civil War Narratives project.

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

1990

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Documents

Photographs

Box 1, Folder 1

Pension Agency Of Alfred G. Mudge for Samuel Holmes 1863 April 7