Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter written by an unidentified civilian in Lancaster, Massachusetts to his brother. After discussing his duties as a local official, such as being called upon to quell a domestic disturbance at the Peter home, the writer reports on the participation of the 53rd Massachusetts Infantry in the Battle of Port Hudson, including the deaths of Captain Washburn and Lieutenant Vose. He also conveys news of recent Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg and mentions the resulting local celebration: "At any rate the batteries all around us opened half an hour ago and are thundering away. And now I hear bells at Leominster."
Dates
- 1863
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
The writer of this letter is identified by first name only, and the signature is not clearly legible, though it appears to be "Spencer." The writer may have been Spencer R. Merrick (1832-1907), who served as selectman in Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1862-1863.
Both this letter and the letter in Ms1989-091 (Massachusetts Civil War Letter) seem likely to have been written to Cyrus Henry Merrick (1829-1914), brother of Spencer R. Merrick. The letters were acquired from the same source on the same day. The writer of this letter addresses the intended recipient as “Bro,” and the signature appears to be “Spencer.” The letter is written from Lancaster. The 1850 census shows Spencer R. Merrick, 17, and Cyrus H. Merrick, 20, living in the Lancaster (Worcester County), Massachusetts home of Cyrus and Elizabeth H. Merrick.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter written by Lancaster, Massachusetts, civilian during the American Civil War to brother, regarding the participation and battle losses of the 53rd Massachusetts Infantry at the Battle of Port Hudson, and conveying news of victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg.
Source of Acquisition
The Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter, 1863
- 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
- 2021-05-20: 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