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Edward Davis Townsend Collection
Wyles SC 249
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Table of contents
Title: Edward Davis Townsend Collection,
Date (inclusive): ca. 1864-1878
Collection Number: Wyles SC 249
Extent:
.02 linear feet
(1 folder)
Repository:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Library. Department of Special Collections
Santa Barbara, California 93106-9010
Physical Location: Vault
Language:
English.
None.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Edward Davis Townsend Collection. Wyles SC 249. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California,
Santa Barbara.
Undetermined.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection contains four Civil War related items, of Major General Edward Davis Townsend (1817-1893). Included are two
documents issued by Townsend at the Adjutant General's Office, War Department, 1864-1865 (assignment to duty of Brig. Gen.
B. U. Brice, and receipt of monies and valuables from 1st Lieut. J. H. Winfield, 80th New York Volunteers), one Civil War
era engraving of Townsend in uniform, and one letter, 1878, declining to furnish copies of Civil War reports in advance of
their publication.
Townsend was principal executive officer of the War Department during the Civil War and was in close contact with President
Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He was chosen to represent the army at the various funerals for Lincoln. As
adjutant general of the army, he also was responsible for developing the plan for a United States military prison, resulting
in the establishment of the prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.