J. G. Happersith Army Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

J. G. Happersith Army Letter, Fort Garland, Co., 1871, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Foot
Creator:
Happersith, J. G.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

J. G. Happersith Army Letter, Fort Garland, Co., 1871, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

One letter to Dr. E.D. Hurth. Happersith addresses the recipient with "my boy". In it, he describes the travels to get to Fort Garland in the Colorado Territories; the long train ride referring to the train itself as an "Iron Horse", the plentiful wildlife, lack of trees along the prairies, and the change in scenery as they made their way to the Rocky Mountains. Happersith also describes nuisances met along the way such as bed bugs and sweltering heat. He also describes the Native Americans of the area, calling them the "Noble Red Men" and tells of their power, and abuse of it, in the area.