Conditions Governing Access
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Preferred Citation
Content Description
Conditions Governing Use
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: James D. Marshall Civil War correspondence
Creator:
Marshall, James D.
Identifier/Call Number: 2015.003.w.rd
Identifier/Call Number: 992
Physical Description:
0.025 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1864 November 24 - 1865 February 16
Abstract: This collection contains two letters written by Cpl. James D. Marshall of the Union Army to his mother and sister during the
Civil War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Civil War 1
Container: 10
Container: 1
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Original donor unknown. Legacy collection from Andrew Carroll.
Preferred Citation
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], James D. Marshall Civil War correspondence (2015.003.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.
Content Description
This collection is available through Chapman University's Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/jdmarshall_correspondence/
This collection contains two correspondence written by Corporal James D. Marshall to his mother and sister during the Civil
War. Marshall served in Company P of the 1st Regiment, Maine Heavy Artillery for the Union Army.
The first letter is dated November 18, 1864 and written near Washington, D.C. Marshall states that "there is not much fighting
here now except picket fireing [sic]." It is unclear if that is because the war is coming to an end or because it is almost
winter. He describes many Confederate soldiers coming to terms with the notion that they are losing the war: "The Rebs are
doing quite a business of deserting to our Army. There is some come over every night....Our Reg. took some Prisoners a while
ago. They was all very ragged and they said they all was getting in the same way they is awful sick of the War. I don't think
the war will last more than 4 years longer." Marshall also takes some time to discuss the 1864 presidential election, and
some possible family tension over whom he voted for: "Perhaps you would like to know how I voted last election day…I voted
for Abe Lincoln. I don't think Pa will have to say that he had rather follow me to my grave than have me vote for Abe Lincoln
again this year. I don't think he need to have said it when he did be that as it may I can't help thinking of it once in a
while."
The second letter is dated 1865 and was written near Petersburg, VA. Marshall describes his health as generally good despite
having a poor appetite and a lame hip. He again reflects on the war coming to an end: "I suppose the folks down that way
think that this war is about wound up. It does look something like it now but I am afraid that we have got to fight them one
summer more before they will give up." He also informs his mother he was promoted: "I believe I never told you that I was
a Corporal…to be sure it is not a very high office but it is better than a private."
He wrote a second letter on the back of this paper to his sister Eliza.
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
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Correspondence -- American Civil War
Presidents Election