Austin Glidden Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter written by Austin Glidden, a corporal in Company G, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War. Addressed to Glidden's brother Benjamin, the letter was written at Newport News, Virginia on January 1, 1864. Glidden writes that he will soon be home on furlough and solicits his brother's assistance in securing an officer's commission: "Many who are no more fitted than I have received commissions through the efforts of influential friends at home," Glidden writes. He suggests influential residents of Beverly, Massachusetts whom Benjamin might enlist in furthering his cause. Glidden notes that, with the organization by the governor of colored regiments, new officers will be needed. He then mentions others from his regiment who have received such commissions.
Dates
- 1864
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical / Historical
Austin Glidden, son of Joseph and Mary Hill Glidden, was born in Beverly (Essex County), Massachusetts on July 16, 1844. The 1860 federal census shows Austin Glidden living in the Beverly home of his parents and working as a shoemaker, as were his father and brothers. He enlisted as a private in Company G, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry on October 21, 1861. On January 17, 1863, Glidden was promoted to corporal, and he re-enlisted on December 2. Austin Glidden died of disease at New Bern, North Carolina on October 13, 1864, and was buried at Central Cemetery, Beverly.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter from Austin Glidden, a corporal in Company G, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War, written at Newport News, Virginia on January 1, 1864, to his brother Benjamin, soliciting Benjamin's assistance in securing an officer's commission in a colored troops regiment.
Source of Acquisition
The Austin Glidden Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Austin Glidden Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
General
This item had been purchased, accessioned, and originally cataloged as the Newport News, Virginia, Civil War Letter. Research on the letter's contents during processing revealed that the title Austin Glidden Letter would be more accurate. The letter, signed by "brother Austin," is addressed to "Brother Benjamin." Numerous sources show that Austin Glidden had an older brother named Benjamin (1839-1930). In the course of the letter, the writer mentions several residents of Beverly [Massachusetts], with whom he is acquainted, and the 1860 census places Austin Glidden in Beverly, Massachusetts. The writer notes that "Emilio," formerly of Company F, had become a major in the 55th Massachusetts; Luis Emilio of Company F, 23rd Massachusetts, later served in the 54th Massachusetts. He also refers twice to "Captain Raymond," and Captain John A. Raymond served in Company G, 23rd Massachuseets. Lastly, the writer notes his rank (corporal), which corresponds to that of Austin Glidden, 23rd Massachusetts. All of these items point to Glidden as the writer.
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Austin Glidden Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- Austin Glidden Letter, 1864
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2022 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-02: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-05-17: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing), added FA title and filing titles, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu