Hawkes, Joshua Gilman, Papers Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers, 1852-1870 Ms.1979.003

Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers, 1852-1870 Ms.1979.003


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1979.003
Title
Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers 1852-1870
Quantity
0.2 Cubic Feet, 1 box
Creator
Hawkes, Joshua Gilman, 1831-1863?
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
This collection contains the letters of Joshua Gilman Hawkes, a sergeant in Company D, 52nd Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War. It also includes letters to Hawkes' family from friends and relatives following Hawkes' death.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers, Ms1979-003, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers were donated to Special Collections in 1979.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers commenced and was completed in January, 2013.


Biographical Note

Joshua Gilman Hawkes, son of Joshua and Abigail Bancroft Hawkes, was born in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, on August 18, 1831. After serving as an apprentice manufacturer of sash doors and blinds, Hawkes attended school in Vermont. He graduated from Amherst Colege in 1859, and became principal of Conway Academy (Conway, Massachusetts). Hawkes left Conway in late 1861, returning to Lynnfield, where he resumed his studies and also took private lessons in military tactics. During the American Civil War, he enlisted in Company D, 52nd Massachusetts Infantry for a nine-month term of service on September 8, 1862. Eventually attaining the rank of sergeant, Hawkes participated in the occupation of Baton Rouge and the siege of Port Hudson. On the night of July 23, 1863, his regiment's term of service having expired, Hawkes was among those who boarded the steamer Henry Chouteau , bound for Cairo, Illinois, from which the 52nd would depart for Massachusetts. Hawkes, ill with dysentery, was expected after his recovery to accept an officer's commission in United States Colored Troops regiment. During the first night on the river, however, Hawkes disappeared and was assumed to have drowned.

Scope and Content

This collection contains letters of Joshua Gilman Hawkes, a sergeant in Company D, 52nd Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War. The letters commence with Hawkes writing from Camp Miller (Greenfield, Massachusetts). In a letter to his sister, Hawkes describes camp life, discusses personal acquaintances, and briefly mentions the Emancipation Proclamation. In successive letters, Hawkes reports movements of and conditions aboard the steamer Illinois and describes conditions in the Mississippi Delta and at New Orleans. In addition to relaying descriptions of skirmishes, troop movements, and incidents of camp life, Hawkes describes in detail his 1863 New Year's dinner and frequently describes in detail food and drink served in camp and found through foraging. He also relates the story of a runaway enslaved person and provides several lengthy descriptions of and anecdotes about contrabands and African-American soldiers. Hawkes expresses opinions on the conduct of the war and is critical in his assessment of the high command and the Lincoln administration, as well as the newspapers of the day. Elsewhere, he writes of lice and fleas, the lack of hygiene among New York regiments, and the southern terrain and climate.

Also within the collection are a few antebellum items, including "A Description of a Virginia Christmas," a poem written by Mary Hawkes in 1852; an anonymous Valentine poem; character references written on Hawkes' behalf; and receipts for life insurance premiums. The collection also contains correspondence received by relatives following Hawkes' death. Included is a letter from J. W. Larkin intended for Hawkes and offering him a lieutenant's commission in a United States Colored Troops regiment. Among the remaining letters are several from friends and former schoolmates, containing memorial tributes to Hawkes. An 1870 letter from Hawkes' Amherst classmate Henry W. Smith is accompanied by a biographical sketch of Hawkes.

Many of the letters are marked "copy," and these copies appear to have been made by a family member, probably sister Mary Hawkes, and probably shortly following Hawkes' death. Some of the original letters of condolence in the collection are accompanied by copies in this same hand. A few of the letters are accompanied by typed transcripts.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in a rough chronological order, with Hawkes' antebellum papers preceding his American Civil War letters. Posthumous correspondence and tributes from friends and schoolmates complete the collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Joshua Gilman Hawkes Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Container List

box-folder 1 folder: 1
Antebellum Papers
1852-1861
box-folder 1 folder: 2
Hawkes Letters
Oct-Dec 1862
  • Oct 7, 1862
    [copy]
  • Nov 29, 1862
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • Dec 13, 1862
    [copy]
  • Dec 15, [1862]
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • Dec 20, 1862
    [copy]
box-folder 1 folder: 3
Hawkes Letters
Jan-Feb 1863
  • Jan 7, 1863
    [copy]
  • Jan 19, [1863]
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • Jan 31, 1863
    [copy]
  • Feb 3, 1863
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • Feb 12, 1863
    [copy]
box-folder 1 folder: 4
Hawkes Letters
Mar 1863
  • Mar 5, 1863
    [copy]
  • Mar 8, 1863
    [copy]
  • Mar 14, 1862
    [original, accompanied by transcript]
  • Mar 20, 1863
    [copy]
box-folder 1 folder: 5
Hawkes Letters
Apr 1863
  • Apr 6, 1863
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • Apr 25, 1863
    [copy]
box-folder 1 folder: 6
Hawkes Letters
May-Jul 1863
  • May 7, 1863
    [copy]
  • May 10, 1863
    [copy]
  • May 16, 1863
    [copy]
  • May 18, 1863
    [original, accompanied by typed transcript]
  • May 27, 1863
    [copy]
  • Jun 10, 1863
    [copy]
  • Jul 8, 1863
    [copy]
box-folder 1 folder: 7
Posthumous Letters and Tributes
1863-1864
box-folder 1 folder: 8
Posthumous Letters and Tributes
1870