Goff-Williams Papers, 1859-1926, bulk 1859-1889

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Title:
Goff-Williams papers
Dates:
1859-1926, bulk 1859-1889
Abstract:
Papers belonging to American Civil War Union soldiers Robert H. Williams and his brother-in-law, James M. Goff.
Extent:
0.2 Linear Feet (1 envelope)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Goff-Williams papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The letters from Robert H. Williams to his parents and fiancée Elizabeth Goff contain detailed accounts of duty at Muddy Branch, Maryland; military operations at Berryville Pike, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and expeditions to Danville and Petersburg, Virginia; camp life, promotions; discussion of war politics and commanding officers, especially Philip Henry Sheridan and William Tecumseh Sherman; and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The collection also contains a letter to Robert H. Williams from his father regarding the Pike's Peak gold rush, a letter to him from Elizabeth Goff, and a letter from his brother Richard describing Tennessee at the end of the war. James M. Goff's letters to his father and younger brother Oscar in Delavan, Wisconsin describe camp life, the march from Kentucky to Tennessee, and life in Libby prison. There is also one photograph album, loose photographs, ephemera, and newspaper clippings.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Henry Williams was born in 1840 in Earlville, New York. His family moved west to Wisconsin in 1849. In 1859, Williams joined the Pike's Peak gold rush. In March 1861, he traveled to California and resided at various places while working as a house painter. In January 1863, he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry, Co. F, part of the California Battalion, citing Pasadena as his residence. The California Battalion was posted on duty in Muddy Branch, Maryland, participated in Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign from August to November 1864, was on duty guarding the Winchester & Potomac Railroad, and took part in General Philip Sheridan's raid to the White House Landing and Robert E. Lee's surrender. In January 1864 Williams was transferred to non-commissioned staff as Sergeant Major. He mustered out in August 1865. He then returned to his parents' home in Delavan, Wisconsin, where he married Elizabeth Goff. He died in Pasadena, California, in 1904.

James M. Goff, brother-in-law of Robert Henry Williams, served in the 10th Regiment of the Wisconsin Infantry. The 10th Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Camp Holton, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and mustered into service in October 1861. For the remainder of 1861, the regiment was on duty in Kentucky guarding the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railway. In 1862 the 10th Regiment participated in operations in Tennessee and Kentucky, and in January 1863, was assigned to duty guarding railways. Attached to the Army of the Cumberland, the regiment took part in the advance on Chattanooga in September 1863. James M. Goff spent December and early January 1863 in the hospital. Captured in September 1863, he was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, from which he was exchanged the following year.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Mrs. Wayne Pogue, March 1961.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in the 1960s. In May 2025, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Organized in 3 series: Series 1. Photograph album, 1863-1865; Series 2: Correspondence, 1859-1889; Series 3. Newspaper clippings, ephemera, loose photographs, 1861-1926.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Brooke M. Black
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-08 08:58:28 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Goff-Williams papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website