Dudley Gale Letter
Scope and Contents
This collection contains two letters written by Dudley E. Gale, a soldier in Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry during the American Civil War. Both items were written to Gale's mother. Writing on December 5 [1862] from New Orleans, Gale at length laments the upcoming departure of Frank, a close friend, for home. He also mentions his company's recent guard duty at Butler's headquarters, in anticipation of a mob, then describes the local weather and proliferation of mosquitoes. The second piece, which appears to be a postscript rather than a complete letter, written on July 23 [year unknown], conveys the news that Gale will soon be returning home on a medical furlough.
Dates
- 1862, n.d.
Creator
- Gale, Dudley (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to 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
Dudley E. Gale, son of Albert and Martha Frost Gale, was born in Methuen (Essex County), Massachusetts on August 21, 1844. By 1860, the Gales were living in Salisbury (Essex County). Gale enlisted in Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry, on November 8, 1861. At the time of his enlistment, Gale was employed as a hatter, probably working for his father. Following his discharge on November 14, 1864, Gale returned to Salisbury and his job as a hatter. In 1866, he married Agnes Ellen Morrill (1845-1897); the couple had one daughter. By 1870, Gale had become a carriage-maker. In 1877, he entered into short-lived carriage-making partnership with Osgood Morrill. After the dissolution of Gale & Morrill in 1878, Dudley established D. E. Gale & Co. The company was sold to J. F. Esten & Son in 1887. The 1900 federal census shows Gale, by then living in Amesbury (Essex County) with his daughter and granddaughter and still working as a carriage-maker. Dudley E. Gale died in Amesbury (Essex County), on December 26, 1916, and was buried in Mount Prospect Cemetery, Amesbury.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Two letters from Dudley E. Gale, a soldier in Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry during the American Civil War, written to his mother and focusing on the impending discharge of a close friend and Gale's own upcoming furlough.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Dudley Gale Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1992.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Dudley Gale 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 Dudley Gale Letters commenced and was completed in September 2023.
- Title
- Dudley Gale Letter, 1862, n.d.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2023 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-16: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
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