Samuel J. Major Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Samuel J. Major Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.20 Linear Feet and One half Hollinger document case boxes
Creator:
Major, Samuel J. (1815-1881)
Abstract:
Documents the activities of the Left Wing, Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Includes correspondence, orders, dispatches, and operation reports.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Samuel J. Major Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of correspondence, orders, reports, and other material collected by Samuel J. Major. The bulk of the collection centers primarily on General William French and the activities of the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War.

Biographical / historical:

The Union Army during the Civil War was essentially a volunteer army. To become an Officer of Volunteers, one only needed to raise a company. Often prominent and wealthy citizens used their money and influence to sign up a hundred men or so to make up their company. At the beginning of the war, this was fairly easy to do, as the enthusiasm for fighting for the Union was high. The Union Army of the Potomac was itself a largely volunteer army. In August of 1861 the Union Army of the Potomac formed by merging commands in Washington, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah. In Virginia, the primary battles took place between the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of the Potomac (later renamed the Army of Northern Virginia in 1862). The two forces fought at the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Seven Days, The Wilderness, Bull Run, and Gettysburg. The Union Army of the Potomac was led during these times by such generals, as George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, and George G. Meade. Born in 1815, William Henry French was a veteran of the Mexican wars. He was appointed a Major General during the Civil War in November 1862. He commanded troops at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Manassas Gap, Auburn, Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, and in the Mine Run operation. Meade considered French personally responsible for the failure at Mine Run. When the Army of the Potomac reorganized that winter, French was displaced and saw no further field service. He continued in the regular army until 1880 when he retired as Colonel 4th Artillery. He died in 1881.

Note written by Special Collections Staff

Acquisition information:

Mary E. Jonitz Major

Gift. Accession #A80-1

Arrangement:

The material in this collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard