William and Lucinda Hogan letters

Content Description

This collection primarily contains Civil War-era letters from William Hogan to his wife, Lucinda, from 1862 to 1864. William Hogan (1829-c. 1864) enlisted as a private in Company A, 49th North Carolina Infantry Regiment on February 28th, 1862. In addition to the letters, there is a single, undated, photograph of three family members, Lucinda James and Mollie Hogan. Letters between William and Lucinda discuss camp life, operations on the Hogan family’s farm in McDowell County, North Carolina, William’s participation in the Battle of Antietam, observations of Virginia and North Carolina, and the couple’s children. Several letters were written from Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, where William recovered after being injured in the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862. Most of the letters in the collection are addressed to Lucinda from William, often prefaced with “Dear Wife” and sometimes “Dear Wife and children.” Letters from William are written in multiple hands, suggesting he often dictated his letters to other soldiers in camp. Letters from Lucinda are prefaced with “Dear Husband” and are placed marked with McDowell County. William’s letters often express his discontentment with the war, his hatred of “the yankes,” and his longing to be back home with his family in McDowell. William apparently deserted the 49th Infantry Regiment around May 16th, 1864, to return to McDowell County for the birth of his child. A soldier roster for those present at the Siege of Petersburg indicates that a William Hogan of Boxesford, North Carolina died on July 22, 1864, perhaps assumed due to his prolonged absence from his company. Presumed dead or missing, William returned to his company at Petersburg on August 29th, 1864. He was then arrested, tried, and convicted of desertion. William was sentenced to death by firing squad. It is unclear whether the sentence was carried out, but William never returned to McDowell County. Also included with the collection are transcripts of the letters made by the donor.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

Gift of Marc and Linda Hogan, 17 March 2026.

Language of Description

English

Restrictions Apply

No