Written by
Unidentified Man or Men
Subject of
54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, American, 1863 - 1865
Date
December 12, 1866
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (Open): 8 × 9 15/16 in. (20.3 × 25.2 cm)
H x W (Closed): 8 × 5 in. (20.3 × 12.7 cm)
Description
A handwritten letter concerning the actions of the 54th Massachusetts during the Civil War, written on both sides of a single sheet of paper, folded to form four pages. This letter is addressed to "cousin" but remains unsigned. The writer gives a brief description of his circumstances after his recent arrival in Darien, GA with his regiment, claiming he's gotten "fat and sassy" since joining the army. He discusses the actions of the 54th Massachusetts, U.S. Colored troops in the town, describing a scene of general destruction and absent town dwellers. The first three pages are written in a steady, consistent hand; the last page is written by the same author but in a very cramped, tiny script. Near the top of the center fold separating the pages is an embossed, slightly raised symbol of an American shield.
Place made
Darien, McIntosh County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
letters (correspondence)
Topic
American South
Correspondence
Families
Military
Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
Slavery
United States Colored Troops
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2014.37.4
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd558cce21e-5fe8-436f-bd17-4cf141201786

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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