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Gable (William Marton) Correspondence
mssHM 49347-49419  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • Arrangement

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: William Marton Gable correspondence
    Creator: Gable, William Marton, 1835-1864
    Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 49347-49419
    Physical Description: 1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
    Date (inclusive): 1852-1886
    Abstract: William Marton Gable was a plasterer and served in the Union Army during the United States Civil War. This collection consists primarily of letters from Gable to his mother Martha Gable and his sister.
    Language of Material: Materials are in English.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

    Conditions Governing Use

    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]. William Marton Gable correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from William H. Allen, January 1983.

    Biographical / Historical

    William Marton Gable was a plasterer from Allenville, Pennsylvania. In September 1861, at the age of twenty-six, Gable enlisted in Company C of the 45th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. From December 1861 to July 1862, his company's regiment was stationed at Bay Point, Seabrook and Pope's Plantation on Hilton Head Island, and then in Elliot's Plantation on Broad River, South Carolina. During the Antietam Campaign, Gable took part in the battle of South Mountain on October 9, 1862. In November and December, he worked as a nurse at a makeshift hospital in Middletown, Maryland, tending to the soldiers wounded in that battle. On April 20, 1863, Gable injured his ankle and was discharged according to a surgeon's certificate. In March 1864, he re-enlisted and served as Corporal of Company K of the 22nd Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was mortally wounded in a skirmish near Berryville, West Virginia, and died on August 21, 1864.

    Scope and Contents

    The William Marton Gable correspondence consists primarily of letters from Gable to his mother, Martha Gable and his sister from 1852 to 1886. The letters cover the entire period of Gable's service in the Union Army and contain descriptions of the camp life, hospitals, the military actions, including the bombardment of Fort Pulaski and the Battle of South Mountain. Also included are two prewar promissory notes, Gable's disability discharge, and letters from Gable's chaplain and commanding officers regarding the circumstances of his death and pension rights.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Huntington staff, circa mid-20th century. In 2020, Gina C Giang created a finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.

    Arrangement

    Arranged chronologically.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Maryland Campaign, 1862 -- Personal narratives
    Pennsylvania -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories -- Sources
    South Carolina -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
    United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
    Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- Civil War, 1861-1865
    Military records -- United States -- Civil War, 1861-1865
    Personal papers -- Pennsylvania -- Civil War, 1861-1865
    United States. Army. Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, 22nd (1864-1865)
    United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 45th (1861-1865)