Austin A. Brasted Civil War correspondence and other materials, 1862 January 22 - 1864 September 3

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Summary

Abstract:

This collection contains correspondence from Sgt. Austin A. Brasted, USA to his family during the American Civil War. Also included in the collection are transcriptions of the letters and biographical information, both provided by the donor.

Extent:

.05 Linear feet (2 folders)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Austin A. Brasted Civil war correspondence and other materials (2022.191.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 20 correspondence from Sgt. Austin A. Brasted, USA to his family during the American Civil War. Most of the letters are addressed to Brasted's sister, Antoinette "Nettie" Brasted, and his brother-in-law, Andrew Cleland, whom he refers to as his brother. The collection also contains nine envelopes, which are not arranged in accordance to their corresponding letters. Also included are transcriptions of the letters and biographical information provided by the donor. Two transcripts are included for each letter, one that is a verbatim transcription and one that is edited for spelling and readability.

The correspondence begins on January 22, 1862 with a letter to Nettie. From Jauary 31, 1862 to March 18, 1862, Austin writes from the Plattsburgh Barracks in New York, the headquaters for the 96th Regiment.

From March 25, 1862 to February 24, 1863, Austin travels with his regiment around Virginia, writing from locations such as Sefolk and Gosport. One letter in this collection does not have a date but is arranged between letters written on May 17, 1862 and October 26, 1862, as that is the arrangement the donor used. During this period, Austin writes about his fellow soldiers being sick, camp life, drills, and collecting bounty.

On June 4, 1863, Austin writes from Camp Gray in North Carolina near the Roanoke River. He writes that they are building a fort at camp. The following three letters refer to the location as Fort Gray.

On May 17, 1864, Austin writes from the "Camp of the 96th" that the regiment has been under enemy fire for seven days. He describes the death of Captain Benedict of H Company.

The correspondence ends with a letter written on September 3, 1864 from De Camp Hospital. Austin writes that his health is improving after being injured and getting erysipelas, a skin infection. He also expresses hope for the end of the war.

Biographical / historical:

Sergeant Austin A. Brasted, United States Army (7/20/1841 - 11/30/1864) was born in Ripley, New York to David Darius Brasted and Mary Ann Jones. He had ten siblings. Austin enlisted in the Company K, 96th Infantry Regiment in Willsboro, New York in 1861. The date of his death is approximate.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Janet Thorpe.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in chronological order.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Correspondence -- American Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865) -- Hospitals
Places:: Virginia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Access and use

Restrictions:: This collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.