Samuel White papers, 1862-1865

Author / Creator

White, Samuel, -1864

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Summary

Collection consists of seven letters written by two brothers and a friend describing their Civil War experiences to their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Samuel White, captain in the 5th Wisconsin ...

Collection consists of seven letters written by two brothers and a friend describing their Civil War experiences to their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Samuel White, captain in the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, wrote five of the letters, which describe his role in the infamous Mud March, an officers' mess in winter camp, the appointment of Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac, the presentation of new battle flags by the governor of Wisconsin, and a review of the troops by General Grant. One letter written by William H. White describes the reaction of the soldiers to the assassination of President Lincoln. One letter from Alexander Samuels describes how Captain White lost an arm in combat and the losses incurred by his unit during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in May 1864. (White died two weeks later.)

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