Miner Hinman Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a letter written by Miner Hinman, captain in Company D, 171st Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War. Written aboard the steamer John A. Warner, on December 2, 1862, the letter is addressed to "Brother James" and bears a printed letterhead reading, "171st Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, Col. E. Bierer," below an image of the U. S. Capitol. Hinman notes that the ship is four hours from Washington D. C., bound for Fort Monroe, Virginia, then mentions having had recent, temporary command of his regiment, during which time a provost guard shot Myson Kilmor [i.e., Myron Kilmer] of Hinman's company. "[I]n less time than 20 mts I had the Whole Regt in line to revenge the deed," Hinman writes, adding, "the Provo Guards had to skedaddle mighty quick." He also writes of having had a good journey, ending with, "[T]here is so much confusion here sing, argueing, laughing and Joking I cant write." The letter is accompanied by an envelope addressed to "Mr J. Y. Hinman Towanda Penna."
Dates
- 1862
Creator
- Hinman, Miner (Person)
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 Note
Miner Hoyt Hinman, son of Abner C. and Augusta York Hinman, was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, on April 5, 1836. In the 1860 census he appears as a 24-year-old, single carpenter, living in his father's Wysox (Bradford County), Pennsylvania, home. Hinman mustered in with Company F, 13th Pennsylvania Militia on September 12, 1862, and served two weeks before mustering out on September 26. On October 28, Hinman enlisted in Company D, 171st Pennsylvania Infantry and mustered in with the company on October 31, receiving a captain's commission. Hinman remained with the 171st as it served in Virginia and North Carolina. He mustered out with the company at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on August 8, 1863. Returning to Bradford County after his service, Hinman married Emma Amy Ackley (1849-1924) in 1869; the couple would have three children. By the following year, the Hinmans were living and farming in Fremont (Dodge County), Nebraska. In the 1900 census, Hinman's occupation is listed as "capitalist." Miner H. Hinman died in Dodge City (Ford County), Kansas, on January 3, 1917, and was buried in Ridge Cemetery, Fremont, Nebraska.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letter from Miner H. Hinman (1836-1917), captain in Company D, 171st Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War, written aboard the steamer John A. Warner on December 2, 1862, discussing his recent, temporary command of the regiment, during which a member of his company was shot by a provost guard.
Source of Acquisition
The Miner Hinman Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in August, 1990.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Miner Hinman 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 Miner Hinman Letter commenced and was completed in September, 2022.
- Title
- Miner Hinman Letter, 1862
- 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
- 2020-09-09: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-07-21: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, acquisition, processing info, bio), added FA title, 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