Two Civil War letters on shared paper signed by Union soldiers Daniel G. Marshall and Homer

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Two Civil War letters on shared paper signed by Union soldiers Daniel G. Marshall and Homer, C0426, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Mann, Charles Harrison, Jr., 1908-1977 and Marshall, Daniel G., 1843-1931
Abstract:
Two Civil War letters on shared official stationery paper signed by Union soldiers Daniel G. Marshall and Homer.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Two Civil War letters on shared paper signed by Union soldiers Daniel G. Marshall and Homer, C0426, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

Two Civil War letters on shared official stationery paper signed by Union soldiers Daniel G. Marshall and Homer. The paper had been folded in half, with each soldier writing on both the front and back of one half.

In his letter, addressed "Dear friend," Daniel reassures the recipient of his health and safety, passes along updates on other soldiers known by the recipient or those back home, and asks the recipient to please write with updates and to pass his letter and news along to his parents and other friends. The letter written by Homer, addressed informally possibly to his sister "Hatt" or "Hal," covers similar topics as Daniel's letter, but the tone is more playful in parts and also includes details on the writer's experience on patrol duty in Alexandria, direct criticisms of the "rebels," and recounting of acts of violence he has witnessed.

Biographical / historical:

Daniel G. Marshall and the soldier identified only as "Homer" both served with the Union Connecticut Volunteers' 19th Regiment Infantry, which was organized at Litchfield, Connecticut from July 25 through September 9, 1862. On September 15, the Regiment left Connecticut for Washington, D.C., and assumed guard and patrol duty at Alexandria, Virginia until January 12, 1863. On November 23, 1863, the designation of the Regiment was changed to 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery. According to the National Parks Service Civil War database there are 7 soldiers listed as belonging to the 19th Regiment Infantry with the name of "Homer."

Daniel G. Marshall was born on May 14, 1843 in Lisbon, New York and joined the Union Connecticut Volunteers as a Private. He survived the Civil War, eventually exiting military service at the rank of Corporal, and married Betsey Ann Chamberlain in 1866. He died on June 19, 1931 at the age of 88 and is buried in Center Cemetery in New Milford, Connecticut.

In the early years of the Civil War, between 1861-1862, stationers, printers, and publishers created stationery and envelopes bearing colorful patriotic designs and slogans, including military figures, state seals, eagles, and flags, to promote support for the war. While these were primarily published by companies in Northern states, a small number were printed bearing anti-Union imagery by Confederate states as well. Paper and postage were valuable commodities for both Union and Confederate soldiers and combined with the constant and sometimes unpredictable movement of locations creative steps were often taken to conserve paper and the number of letters being sent. These included cross-writing, which involved turning paper 90-degrees and writing between the already written lines, writing in the margins, addressing letters to a general group of friends to be shared, and in some cases sharing paper with fellow soldiers.

Acquisition information:
Donated By C. Harrison Mann.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in February 2024. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in March 2024.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 71, C 1, S 6
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard