Description
The Shafter Collection represents the papers and other materials assembled by General William R. Shafter during his many years
of military service. As might be expected, the Collection includes personal and official correspondence, military papers (orders,
reports, rosters, etc.), broadsides, maps, cartoons, photographs, miscellaneous printed material, and newspaper clippings.
Correspondence composes approximately eighty percent of the Collection, the majority of which concerns the period from 1862
to 1994. In addition, a small collection of materials assembled by Shafter's son-in-law, William H. McKittrick, has been added
to the basic Shafter Collection.
Background
William Rufus Shafter, born on October 16, 1835, at Galesburg, was said to have been the first white male born in Kalamazoo
County, Michigan. His father, Hugh Morris Shafter, came to what was then the frontier from Windsor, Vermont, and built his
future home, a log cabin. He returned to Vermont to marry Eliza Sumner of Massachusetts. The newly married couple then proceeded
to Michigan and to their small farm.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain
permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.
Availability
Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use.