Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

George Boardman Tracy Letters, 1862-1864. Accession 38846, Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Purchased.

Biographical/Historical Information

George Boardman Tracy was born 15 May 1826 in Cornish, New Hampshire. He enlisted in Company E, 9th New Hampshire Infantry 8 August 1862. He served with the regiment from the battles of South Mountain and Antietam through Fredericksburg and service in Kentucky and Mississippi to the battle of Spotsylvania Court House, where he was wounded. After lying on the battlefield for forty hours, Tracy was rescued by friends. Taken to a hospital, his leg was amputated. Tracy died from his wounds 6 June 1864.

Scope and Content Information

Letters, 1862-1864, of George Boardman Tracy (1826-1864) of Company E, 9th New Hampshire Infantry to his sister Carrie detailing his military service in the 9th New Hampshire and describing camp life. Tracy writes about the battles of Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, and Spotsylvania Court House. He describes the regiment's tours of duty in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Virginia. Tracy also discusses the African American population he interacted with during his service in Kentucky and Mississippi. His last letter informs his sister of his wounding at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House. These letters were transcribed into a volume by his sister. The volume also contains poems written by Carrie and transcriptions of two letters she wrote, one to her brother Alden Tracy and one to her uncle Ezra Alden on the 1860 presidential election. Also includes a transcription of Ezra Alden's reply. A guide to Tracy's letters are included with the volume.