Gay (Samuel F.) Correspondence, 1846-1917, bulk 1861-1864

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Summary

Title:
Samuel F. Gay correspondence
Dates:
1846-1917, bulk 1861-1864
Creators:
Gay, Samuel Frederic
Abstract:
Correspondence belonging to American Civil War Union soldier Samuel Frederic Gay.
Extent:
2.33 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Samuel F. Gay correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence between Samuel F. Gay and his father Jabez J. R. Gay (born 1809). Samuel F. Gay's letters were chiefly written while in camps in Washington, D.C., Downsville, Maryland, Warrenton, and Brandy Station, Virginia, with several letters describing the battles of Williamsburg, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, and the Peninsular and Rapidan campaigns. The letters depict various aspects of life as a Union soldier including officers, Confederate prisoners, payments, rations, reviews and drills, diseases, and medical care. Also present is information on movements of the troops and discussion of war and political news. Jabez R. Gay's letters contain news from home, discussion of political issues of the day, such as slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation and the nature and course of the war. Also included are letters from Edwin C. Bragg to Jabez J. R. and Samuel F. Gay, including an account of the Battle of Roanoke Island in February 1862. There are also individual letters that concern other family members and Gay's post-war life. Ephemera includes a clipping from the New York Herald, 1862, containing an article on the battle of Fredericksburg, and a printed sheet containing: A poem composed by a pious woman, soon after the taking of Cape-Breton, the first time : upon Christian love and peace. joined with united fervent prayer, / Composed by Mrs. Deborah Field, 1745, printed by N. Coverly, Boston, between 1805 and 1824.

Biographical / historical:

At the beginning of the American Civil War, Samuel F. Gay of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, enlisted in the 7th Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry. Until March 11, 1862, the regiment was assigned to the defenses of Washington, D.C. and was stationed at Camp Brightwood. Attached to the Army of the Potomac and then to the 6th Army Corps, the regiment fought on the Eastern front, taking part in all major campaigns in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In June 1864, the regiment was moved to Taunton, Massachusetts, where it was mustered out the next month. After the war, Samuel F. Gay farmed in North Attleboro and later worked for Brooks Spool Cotton Company in Maine.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Robert Taber, August 1981.
Processing information:

Processed by Harriet McLoone in October 1981. In April 2025, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

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 2025-05-23 14:12:15 -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]. Samuel F. Gay correspondence, 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
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