MS 649 - Augustus F. Bull Papers
MLA Citation
Tags
| Title | MS 649 - Augustus F. Bull Papers |
|---|---|
| Subject | Civil War |
| Introduction | The Augustus F. Bull Papers consist of a series of Civil War era letters, primarily from Augustus Bull, of New Haven, Connecticut, to his cousin, Roxanna (Roxie) DeWitt, of Wyandot County, Ohio. The collection also includes a letter from Lizzie Bull, Augustus' sister, to Roxie, as well as some genealogical information on the family. Some items relating to other members of the family, including a letter of Erastus Ranger to Electa Ranger (the aunt of Roxie DeWitt), and materials on Francis Riddell Stewart, Roxie's husband, have been separately cataloged. (Francis R. Stewart Collection, MS 744) The collection was donated to the Center for Archival Collections by Margaret Louise Stewart Christiansen of Marblehead, Ohio on 25 June 1992. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and research. The collection was processed and register prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts in July 1992. |
| Biographical Sketch | Augustus Bull (b. April 22, 1840) served during the Civil War with the 6th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Co.K, mustering in as a corporal in September of 1861 in New Haven, Connecticut. He had previously been a member of the 2nd Company, Governor's Foot Guards. In August of 1862 he was promoted to sergeant, serving much of his time in clerical duties related to the Regimental Adjutant's Office. At the expiration of his three-year enlistment, he left the service, spending the first few months of 1865 working as a house-painter in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was married to Emma Jordan on Oct. 8, 1866. Roxanna Chamberlain DeWitt (b. Apr. 4, 1842) was a cousin of the Bull family on her mother's side, Artemesia Mason. She was married October 3, 1866 to Francis Riddell Stewart, a Civil War veteran who had served with the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They had a family of five children, Frank, Lee, Homer, Jesse, and Victor. She died April 27, 1890 in Fostoria, Ohio. |
| Scope and Content | The Augustus F. Bull Papers consist of a series of 24 Civil War era letters from Augustus Bull, of New Haven, Connecticut, to his cousin, Roxie DeWitt, of Wyandot County, Ohio. The letters are fairly long, newsy, and written in a very legible hand. Augustus Bull (b. April 22, 1840) served with the 6th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company K, from September 1861 till the expiration of his original three-year enlistment in August 1864, serving as Company Clerk, with later duties in the Regimental Adjutant's Office. The correspondence presents a fairly complete series of communications during the period Augustus was in the army. In addition, there are a series of 5 letters written as a civilian, many while he worked as a painter in Oil City, Pennsylvania. The military letters from Augustus describe living conditions in some detail, both in camp and on shipboard while in transit to new posts. Since he served as Company clerk, he was in a position to have detailed information on the troop movements, casualty reports, and progress of the war. In addition, he mentions health conditions, guard duty, daily activities, and comments on references in Roxie's letters to him about girls back in Ohio. His post-war correspondence primarily concern his efforts to get reestablished in civilian life and his impressions of Oil City. A few letters stand out as being particularly interesting. First, a letter dated December 23, 1862-January 1, 1863, gives an account of Christmas and New Years observations in the Beaufort, S.C. area during the war, including camp games and competitions among the troops. The letter of August 15, 1863, provides a description of the assault on Ft. Wagner, S.C., including the role of the 54th Mass. (Colored) in that battle. Finally, the letter written on January 12, 1864 recounts the reaction of his family when he surprises them with a visit while on detached duty as a Recruiting Officer back in Connecticut. The letter of Augustus' sister, Lizzie, to Roxie written after the war primarily deals with family events, including the death of Lizzie's husband, Archie; the marriage of Augustus to Emma Jordan; Lizzie's movements and activities after her husband's death; and births and deaths in the extended family. |
| Series Description | CORRESPONDENCE AUGUSTUS F. BULL CORRESPONDENCE MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE LITERARY PRODUCTIONS RESEARCH NOTES |
| Inventory | Box 1 Folder
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