Henry T. Blanchard Civil War Letter 1862-1863

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This two item collection consists of an October 16, 1863 letter from Union Corporal Henry T. Blanchard(member, Company K, Second Rhode Island Infantry Volunteers, VI Corps, Army of the Potomac) to his mother, Mrs. Erastus E. Blanchardof Providence, Rhode Island, and a modern typescript.

Henry T. Blanchardwrites from "a line of battle" between Centrevilleand Chantilly, Virginia, during the Bristoe StationCampaign [October 9-22, 1863]. He describes the VI Corps' activities and marching [ Army of the Potomac, Major General John Sedgwick, VI Corps; Third Division, Brigadier General Henry D. Terry; Second Brigade, Brigadier General Henry L. Eustis; 2nd Rhode Island, Colonel Horatio Rogers, Jr.) from October 13 to 16, 1863.

Henry T. Blanchardclaims the VI Corpscaptured 500 Confederate prisoners on October 14 after an unsuccessful attack by Lieutenant General A. P. Hill, III Army Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, against the rearguard of Union General George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac. However, the VI Corps' adjutant general was believed to have been captured on the 15th; Blanchard also mentions that Major General George Sykes' V Corpsfought the rebels that same day. He concludes this letter by reporting the army is preparing for another attack as firing is heard in the distance, his expectations of letters, and sends love to his family.

For information on this campaign, researchers should consult William D. Henderson, The Road to Bristoe Station: Campaigning With Lee and Meade, August 1-October 20, 1863( Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1987).

Acquisition information:
This document was purchased on December 13, 1996.
Physical location:
Physical description:
2 items