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Start Over Date range 1864 Places Morris Island (S.C.)
West Virginia and Regional History Center

John W.M. Appleton (1832-1913), Soldier, Civil War Papers

1.98 Linear Feet Summary: 1 ft. 11 3/4 in. (1 document case, 2 1/2 in.); (4 flat storage boxes, 3 in.); (1 flat storage box, 4 in.); (1 flat storage box, 3 1/2 in.); (1 reel of microfilm, 1.75 in.)
John W. M. Appleton (1833-1913) was an officer in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the Union's first regiment of African American soldiers, during the Civil War. Appleton's letters to his wife, memoirs, military records, and other materials provide a detailed account of his military service with this regiment, including the daily operations and activities of his company, troop movements and engagements, and the challenges facing black troops. Appleton also drew detailed sketches in his memoir and letters that depict the battlefield landscape and his unit's positions, including fortifications, encampments, and quarters. Significant topics include the geography around Charleston, South Carolina; the assault on Fort Wagner and other engagements in the Charleston Harbor in the summer and fall of 1863; the fatigue work and picket duty of the 54th Massachusetts; and the battle of Olustee and related engagements near Jacksonville, Florida, in February and March 1864. Also included are family materials and business papers. The family materials include genealogy as well as books about Hon. William Appleton and Samuel Appleton. The business papers contain a ledger from Appleton's time as an agent with Oriental Powder Mills. See Scope and Content Note for more details. See Historical Note for more information about Appleton.
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John W.M. Appleton (1832-1913), Soldier, Civil War Papers 1.98 Linear Feet Summary: 1 ft. 11 3/4 in. (1 document case, 2 1/2 in.); (4 flat storage boxes, 3 in.); (1 flat storage box, 4 in.); (1 flat storage box, 3 1/2 in.); (1 reel of microfilm, 1.75 in.)

Appleton, John W. M., 1832-1913
John W. M. Appleton (1833-1913) was an officer in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the Union's first regiment of African American soldiers, during the Civil War. Appleton's letters to his wife, memoirs, military records, and other materials provide a detailed account of his military service with this regiment, including the daily operations and activities of his company, troop movements and engagements, and the challenges facing black troops. Appleton also drew detailed sketches in his memoir and letters that depict the battlefield landscape and his unit's positions, including fortifications, encampments, and quarters. Significant topics include the geography around Charleston, South Carolina; the assault on Fort Wagner and other engagements in the Charleston Harbor in the summer and fall of 1863; the fatigue work and picket duty of the 54th Massachusetts; and the battle of Olustee and related engagements near Jacksonville, Florida, in February and March 1864. Also included are family materials and business papers. The family materials include genealogy as well as books about Hon. William Appleton and Samuel Appleton. The business papers contain a ledger from Appleton's time as an agent with Oriental Powder Mills. See Scope and Content Note for more details. See Historical Note for more information about Appleton.
Virginia Military Institute Archives

Richard H. Adams, Jr. papers

0.25 cubic feet approximately 80 items

This collection consists of the Civil War papers (approximately 80 items) of Captain Richard H. Adams, Jr, including:

  • A manuscript diary kept while serving with the 5th Alabama Regiment in Virginia (April-June 1862), with an accompanying typewritten transcription
  • Transcriptions of two additional diary volumes (September 1862-March 1863; and prison diary, 1864-1865)
  • Forty seven letters (November 1863-September 1866) to Lottie Putnam Adams, most written before their marriage while Adams was a prisoner of war
  • Twenty three letters from Lottie to Richard (March 1864-January 1865)
  • A typescript titled "Account of Wheeler's Raids," which was written after the Civil War
  • "Friendship book" (March 1865) that contains inscriptions by fellow prisoners
  • Two photographs of Adams
  • Documents and clippings
The letters reflect ongoing courtship and generally concern personal and family matters with some references to war and prison life. Diaries contain information about camp life, battles, and prison life.

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Richard H. Adams, Jr. papers 0.25 cubic feet approximately 80 items

Adams, Richard H., Jr. (Richard Henry), 1841-1896

This collection consists of the Civil War papers (approximately 80 items) of Captain Richard H. Adams, Jr, including:

  • A manuscript diary kept while serving with the 5th Alabama Regiment in Virginia (April-June 1862), with an accompanying typewritten transcription
  • Transcriptions of two additional diary volumes (September 1862-March 1863; and prison diary, 1864-1865)
  • Forty seven letters (November 1863-September 1866) to Lottie Putnam Adams, most written before their marriage while Adams was a prisoner of war
  • Twenty three letters from Lottie to Richard (March 1864-January 1865)
  • A typescript titled "Account of Wheeler's Raids," which was written after the Civil War
  • "Friendship book" (March 1865) that contains inscriptions by fellow prisoners
  • Two photographs of Adams
  • Documents and clippings
The letters reflect ongoing courtship and generally concern personal and family matters with some references to war and prison life. Diaries contain information about camp life, battles, and prison life.

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