Finding Aid for the Unknown Serviceman Civil War correspondence 2017.589.w.r

Lee Feldman
Center for American War Letters Archives
1/10/2018
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: "Unknown serviceman" Civil War correspondence
source: Kerschner, Donald O.
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.589.w.r
Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Date: 1862 May 29
Abstract: This collection contains one correspondence written by an unknown serviceman to his wife during the Civil War.
Language of Material: English .
Container: Civil War 1
Container: 23
Container: 1

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Donald O. Kerschner.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Unknown Serviceman Civil War correspondence (2017.589.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection contains one correspondence written by an unknown serviceman to his wife during the Civil War. The serviceman did not mention if he fought for the Union Army or Confederate Army. However, the stationery used has a picture of Union Army Major General John Pope as a letterhead. The donor, Donald O. Kerschner, suggests that the author of the letter is an ancestor of Martha Chrisman Kerschner, a woman who was married to the donor's father. The letter was found in her belongings after she passed away. In the letter, the serviceman assures his wife that he is well, apologizes for not writing her sooner, informs her that fellow soldiers and friends of his had been wounded or killed in battle, and tells her a recent influx of enemy troops has them completely surrounded.

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Correspondence -- American Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Military hospitals
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- letters and diaries
Kerschner, Donald O.