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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterLaura Odendahl; revised February 2018 by Karen King, SCRC Staff.
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Augustus C. Golding Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Purchased: 38 items, 07/18/1994.
Processed by Laura Odendahl in 1995.
Augustus C. Golding was born in Greenwich, Connecticut on November 20, 1833. He moved to New York and enlisted as a carpenter. Golding enlisted in the Union Army on November 23, 1861 at Fort Hamilton, New York, and served as a sergeant in Co. G., 1st Battalion, 12th U.S. Infanty, 1861-1864. He fought mostly in Virginia and Maryland, returning to Maryland three times between 1863-1864 to defend it. After two months hospitalization in Pennsylvania and a furlough in New York, Golding returns to Virginia in November 1864 to fight until his discharge on November 22, 1864 at Elmira, New York.
After the war Golding resided in Fordham, New York, until his move to Norwalk, Connecticut, on March 5, 1866. On August 6, 1886, Golding was appointed postmaster at Norwalk, Connecticut. He died on April 8, 1915.
This collection contains the papers, dated 1859-1934, but mainly 1862-1864, of Augustus C. Golding (also spelled as Goldin and , Golden). It includes letters, a letterbook, diaries, documents, pension papers, printed materials, and photographs. All items relate to Golding's service in the Union Army, 1861-1864, in Northern Virginia, on the Virginia peninsula, and in Maryland. Golding's letters to family and friends describe troop movements, battles, camp conditions, his health, a hospital, and the weather. Golding describes his participation in the following battles or their aftermath: Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Mechanicsville, 2nd Bull Run or Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He occasionally presents his views on war, politics, and the destruction of Virginia's cities and countryside. He also gives financial and practical advice. The collection contains genealogical data on Golding's immediate family.
A book, Official Army Register for 1863, in this collection has been transferred to the Rare Books Department of Swem Library. Item contains a listing of Union officers in the following departments: Adjunct General, Quartermaster, Subsistence, Medical, Pay, Corps of Engineers, and Ordinance.
Other Information:
Additional information may be found at http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/wm/viw00028.frame
Golding acknowledges receipt of his father's letter; relates campaigns since Union army enlistment on November 23, 1861 under H.B. Clitz; immediate promotion to sergeant; spends months at Fort Hamilton; departs for Virginia with a stop in Washington D.C.; camps near Fairfax Court House, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia; rides a steamer to Fortress Monroe, Virginia; camps near Hampton, Virginia, Big Bethel, camp Winfield Scott; in charge of supply wagons left between Yorktown, Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia; joins regiment in Cumberland one week later; marched to White House, Cold Harbor, Camp Lovell near New Bridge, Virginia; builds roads during Battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia; at site of battle of Hanover Court House, but does not fight; pickets the bridges over the Chickahominy River; describes tents; marches toward Mechanicsville, Virginia; charges three times in battle at Mechanicsville; falls back when flanked at Savage's Station, Virginia; marches through White Oak Swamp; attack by Confederates; resumes march toward the James River; sees Gen. McClellan; Confederate attack; repels attack and remains as the last brigade on the field; then falls back to a location that is not healthy; receives letters from Caroline and Sarah; acts as Commissary Sergeant; will write to NY for a commission; Major wounded.
Golding relates campaigns from July 3, 1862 to October 31, 1862; describes duties as acting and full commissary sergeant; President Lincoln reviews division; receives six months pay long due; orders to reduce officers' baggage; pillage of the Charles City Court House records; views remains of slave shot for attempting an escape to Confederate lines; Camps at Williamsburg, Big Bethel, Newport News, Fortress Monroe, and Fredericksburg on the way to Manassas Junction; fights at second Bull Run; retreats to Centerville, Virginia; marches to Frederick [sic] City, Maryland; hears the battle on South Mountain and Antietam, Maryland; describes dead on battlefield; President Lincoln reviews division; marches to White Plains.
Golding describes route taken from Fort Hamilton, New York to Fortress Monroe, Virginia with stops at Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C.; regiment under Gen. Sykes' brigade; camps near Hampton, Virginia; drills often, and out of money; moves camp to Big Bethel, Virginia, and then to Camp Marion, Virginia; describes vigilant atmosphere in camps; marches to Camp Winfield Scott, Virginia; strict orders for silence; feels slighted when regiment did not receive four months pay; Confederate shell almost hit him; marches toward Richmond; in charge of guarding wagons; joins regiment a week later at Cumberland Landing; takes over Hanover Courthouse; engages Confederates in battle on road to Mechanicsville; retreats three miles; attests to Zouaves' skill; retreats to Savages Station; marches through White Oak Swamp, Virginia; needs water and sleep; marches across Malvern Hills; retreats from battle; next day advances in battle; writes letter home but can not send it until he arrives at Harrison's Landing.
Golding acknowledges receipt of father's letter; describes route taken from Harrison Landing to Sharpsburg; arrives a few days after Battle of Antietam; describes dead strewn in streets and heaped on battlefield; rides Manassas railroad from Harpers Ferry to Warrenton, Virginia; marches to Stafford Court House, Virginia - eight miles from Aquia Creek; Gen. Butterfield in command of his corps, replacing Gen. Porter; Gen. Hooker commanding divisions; expects an attack on Fredericksburg; claims his health is good, and current weight is 180 lbs.
Golding is at Warrenton, Virginia. Gen. Butterfield replaces Gen. Fitz John Porter as commander of the 5th corps; the 5th corps is a part of the centre grand division under Major General Joseph Hooker; camps at Warrenton Junction and Hartwood Church, Virginia, en route to Fredericksburg; Hooker passes in an ambulance; camps at Gen. Hooker's headquarters at the Henry House [near Potomac Creek]; marches past Falmouth, Virginia; on front line in attempt to capture Confederate batteries South of Fredericksburg; evacuates the city; investigation ensues over heavy losses; critical of Union commanders and outcome of investigation; chats with Connecticut friends; returns to Hartwood Church, Virginia; Gen Hooker takes over Gen. Burnside's command; describes furlough and desertion rates; takes a furlough to New York; President Lincoln reviews the troops near Falmouth, Virginia; another review for Maj. Gen. Fogliardi; local artists produce ambrotypes; Lt. Col. Paul takes command of brigade for a week before his promotion to Brig. General; Gen. R. B. Ayres takes command; crosses Kelly's Ford and the Rapidan River to reach U.S. Ford; enemy shells U.S. Ford but fell upon Confederate prisoners; corps covers retreat across river; heavy losses; term of service expires for 20-30 thousand men; camps at Banks Ford where finishes this letter.
Golding begins the letter when furlough in Fairfield, Connecticut expires; leaves Fairfield, Connecticut, and rests in convalescent camp; joins regiment near Fairfax, Culpepper County, Virginia; camps in Brandy Station, Bealton, and Fairfax Courthouse; describes wagon trains and supplies; marches to battlefield of 2nd Bull Run; describes remains from earlier battle; marches to Gainesville, Virginia, New Baltimore, Virginia, Catlett's Station, Virginia; then camps two miles from Warrenton Junction and one mile from Three Mile Station at time of the letter; describes expeditions prior to his furlough in Fairfield [Connecticut], but after his last letter written in June 1863, marches 31 miles from Bank's Ford to Manassas Junction with stops at Hartwood Church and Brentville; continues march to Gum Springs, Centerville, Aldie, Leesburgh, Edwards Ferry and White Oak Springs; Gen. Meade takes command of Army; marches into Union territory through Frederick City, Maryland, Hanover, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; enters hospital; reports good weather lately.
Marches from Three Mile Station, Virginia, along the Orange and Alexandria railroad toward the Rappahannock River; Confederates open fire to prevent crossing; marches through woods to join right flank after Confederates driven across the Rappahannock River; crosses river at Kelly's Ford, Virginia; dispatch from Gen. Grant announces capture of Lookout Mt., Tenn.; crosses the Rapidan River at Culpepper Mine Ford; Confederates capture ammunition and ambulance train during march to Gordonsville, Virginia; fighting ensues and powder in wagons explodes; retreats to Roberson's Tavern, Virginia; crosses back over the Rapidan River at Germania Ford, Virginia; also crosses back over the Rappahannock River; camps at Bealton, Virginia and then at Kettle Run, Virginia]; expresses concern over possible capture by the Confederates; receives pay.
Golding is at present camps west of the Weldon Rail Road after a month near the Weldon Rail Road; and three weeks on the east side of the Weldon Rail Road; relates adventures from last May to the present date; crosses the Rapidan River under fire; presents statistics on losses, discharges and new recruits; does not want to winter at this camp; claims only a minority of the army supports Lincoln as a candidate; gives opinions on new regiments; time in the army will expire in one month.
He is gGlad to hear good news about Golden through mutual friends; would like to meet him in New York; asks if he may read Golden's diary of the 12th Regiment during the Civil War.
He aAcknowledges receipt of Golding's last letter; will write to Capt. Robinson; will tell his brother Harry about Golding's letter; relates news on mutual acquaintances including John Faub, Mr. Bolton, Capt. Stanhope; would like to get in touch with Gen. Hayes, if still alive; intends to obtain from Gen. Hayes in writing what he said to him on the battlefield the day before Hayes was captured; hopes to receive more letters from Golding, and maybe even a visit.
He acknowledges receipt of Golding's letter from February 21; sorry to learn of Golding's illness; describes his own poor health; worries about losing his memories of the Civil War; angry at the pension office; will send off pension affadavit for Golding soon; also angry at the system of promotions; apologizes for long overdue letter; wife and family send their regards to Mr. and Mrs. Golding.
The document describes Augustus C. Golding's injury; army wagon ran over his foot en route to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; at hospital from July 2, 1863 to September 26, 1863; took over Golding's duties as Commissary Sergeant in addition to his own as Quartermaster Sergeant.
The document promises $75 payment plus interest to Daniel Golden; in accordance with Chap. 176 of the Laws of 1859; sSigned by Frederick Townsend, Adjunct General and George F. Sherman, Inspector General.
The document rRequests reimbursement for $75 worth of clothing confiscated during War of 1812. The late Daniel Golden received a certificate from the state of New York that promises redemption in accordance with the laws of 1859.
He rReplies to addressee's letter; claims the certificate from New York holds no value unless Congress appropriates the requisite funds to pay the claims; unlikely this will happen; certificate functions as a basis to apply to Congress.
He aAlready receives a pension; details vital statistics; place of residence at Fordham, New York until March 5, 1866, since then at Norwalk, Connecticut; form filled in and signed by Augustus C. Goldin. [Document was not sent in; possibly a draft or copy.]
The document details vital statistics; pension certificate number; places of residence; written on behalf of Augustus C. Goldin, age 78. [The document was not sent in; possibly a draft or copy.]
Payment to commence on May 6, 1915; rate of $12 per month; continue length of widowhood. Issued by the Secretary of the Interior, Franklin Knight Lane, and Commissioner of Pensions, E. C. Tieman.
Increase is in accordance with section 1 of the Act of Congress approved by the President Wilson] on September 8, 1916; commences on same date. Issued by Franklin Knight Lane, Secretary of the Interior, and E. C. Tieman, Commissioner of the Pensions.
Increase in widow's pension for Jeannette H. Golding, widow of Civil War Veteran, Augustus C. Golding; issued by G. M. Saltzgaber[?], Commissioner of Pensions.
Increase in widow's pension for Jeannette H. Golding, widow of Civil War Veteran, Augustus C. Golding; approved by Congress on May 1, 1920. Issued by G. M. Saltzgaber[?]), Commissioner of Pensions, and John Barton Payne, Secretary of the Interior.
Newspaper clipping. By order of H. Raymond, Brigadier General, I. M. Phyfe, Adjunct, and A. B. M. Dally, Colonel.
Begins at Fort Hamilton, New York on March 5, 1862; ends December 27, 1863. not the end of his actual service]. no place.
He grants appointment of postmaster at Norwalk, Connecticut, to Golding; appointment lasts four years from August 2, 1886; emphasizes requirement of postmaster to attend personally to their duties.
Deposition by Ada Hanford Sherwood and Ruth Golding, [daughters of Augustus C. Golding, d. April 8, 1915, and Jeannette Hanford Golding, d. July 25, 1923]; details births and deaths of their paternal grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and siblings; Augustus C. Golding died intestate. Drawn up by a notary public for the state of Connecticut, County of Fairfield.
Copy of diary from June 25, 1862 to July 27, 1862; describes an armed reconnaissance to ascertain whether Gen. Jackson's army was approaching.
Photostat of a printed dDocument.
Newspaper clipping. State of Maine dedicated a statue of Maj. General Oliver Otis Howard to mark his headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania].
Diary entries span November 22, 1861 through January 26, 1863 and discuss his engagement in the Civil War.
The diary entries span June 7, 1864 through 1907 and discuss his involvement in the Civil war and the aftermath.
Box 2 contains spiral bound volumes of typed transcripts. The typescripts are of the diaries, the letter copybook, and specific letters to Golding's father and his "Friend Sturgess".