Charles L. Brown Letter
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single letter and envelope dated 4 January 1862 and written by Charles L. Brown, a corporal in the 16th Mass. Infantry, from Hampton, Va. to his mother in Waltham, Mass. He thanks the folks at home for the "drawers" and "eatables," also mentioning, specifically, the pies, cakes, mittens, shirts, and gloves. He says that he is "as safe here as if we were in Boston," saying that the Confederate commander, [General John B.] Magruder is "more fond of whiskey than fighting."
Dates
- 1862-01-04
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Charles L. Brown Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Note
The son of Aaron and Lydia Brown of Waltham, Mass. (both originally from Maine), Charles L. Brown enlisted with the 16th Massachusetts Infantry on 29 June 1861, Company H, as a corporal. The 16th was first attached to Fort Monroe, Va. before moving to Suffolk and then seeing action at Malvern Hill, Bull Run (2nd), Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, prior to the engagement at Gettysburg. Having been promoted to first sergeant, Brown died on 4 July 1863 at Gettysburg at the age of 23, a day following the death of his older brother, George F. Brown, a first lieutenant, also of the 16th Massachusetts.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 Folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
A single letter and envelope written by Charles L. Brown to his mother, Lydia Brown, in Waltham, Mass., dated 4 January 1862 and sent from Hampton, Va. Brown enlisted with the 16th Massachusetts Infantry on 29 June 1861, Company H, as a corporal. At the time of his death at Gettysburg on July 1863, he held the rank of Sergeant.
Acquisition Information
The Charles L. Brown Letter was donated to Special Collections in 2017.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Charles L. Brown Letter commenced in August 2017 and was completed in September 2017.
- Title
- Charles L. Brown Letter, 4 January 1862
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Marc Brodsky
- Date
- ©2017 By Virginia Tech. All rights reserved
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
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