To his mother, October 2
Scope and Contents
The Joseph Perrin Burrage letters consist of one document box, .04 cubic feet, and contain 88 of his letters to his family describing his activities and lifestyle in the Thirty-Third Massachussetts Volunteers during the Civil War from 1862 to 1863. Most of the letters are accompanied with a typed transcript and the original mailing envelope. Some of the folders contain several letters while most have only one per folder.
His letters describe the details of camp life, including marching and traveling with his unit from Virginia to Alabama, and mention of General Joseph Hooker, General Ulysses S. Grant, General William Rosencrans, and General Robert E. Lee. He writes without comment or description that men are being killed all around him. He was passionate about defending the United States Army, and his crusade for morality, temperance, and abolition. The letters also contain brief descriptions of the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, and Gettysburg. Also mentioned is his younger cousin, William "Willie" Allen Burrage.
Dates
- Creation: October 2
Extent
From the Collection: .04 Cubic Feet (1 document box with 80 folders) : 88 letters
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States