Bond, Henry M., Letter Henry M. Bond Letter, 1863 Ms.1988.075

Henry M. Bond Letter, 1863 Ms.1988.075


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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

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1988.075
Title
Henry M. Bond Letter 1863
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Bond, Henry M.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Letter from Henry M. Bond, of Company B, 45th Massachusetts Infantry (aka 45th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia) during the American Civil War. Bond describes his regiment's recent movements, to Trent, Pollacksville, and Young's; marching through the rain; and his opinion of North Carolina.

Administrative Information

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Henry M. Bond Letter, Ms1988-075, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Henry M. Bond Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Henry M. Bond Letter commenced and was completed in April, 2021.


Biographical Note

Henry May Bond, son of George W. and Sophia Augusta May Bond, was born in Massachusetts on April 3, 1836. Prior to the Civil War, Bond lived in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he worked as a publisher and was also a member o fthe First Corps of Cadets of Massachusetts. He enlisted in the 45th Massachusetts (the "Cadet Regiment") on September 12, 1862, and served as an orderly sergeant in Company B. Following the mustering out of the 45th, Bond served as lieutenant and adjutant in the 20th Massachusetts Infantry. Henry M. Bond died on May 15, 1864, from wounds received at the Battle of the Wilderness.

The 45th Massachusetts Infantry (aka 45th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia) was formed from the First Corps of Cadets of Massachusetts. Mustered into Federal service on September 26, 1862, the regiment trained at Camp Meigs (Readville, Massachusetts), then was ordered to North Carolina, where the regiment fought in the Battle of Kinston (December, 1862) and in various actions in the vicinity of New Bern the following spring. The regiment was ordered in June, 1863, to Boston, to patrol the streets. The 45th Massachusetts was mustered out of service on July 21, 1863.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by Henry M. Bond, of Company B, 45th Massachusetts Infantry during the American Civil War. Writing to "My Dear George" from Camp Armory on the Trent, on January 24, 1863, Bond describes a recent reconnaissance to the Trenton, North Carolina vicinity and a march to Young's. Along the way, Bond shares his opinion of the environs ("North Carolina as a whole I think must be a wretched old bog hole or sand heap [and] in itself not worth fighting for.") He describes being fed by a family of local Union sympathizers and of a march back to camp in heavy rain. Bond complains of being too busy to read his Bible (though he has attended prayer meetings) and of not being among the troops ordered to join an upcoming expedition ("I want much to see a large fight [and] be in it especially if it is destined to Charleston.")

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Container List

folder 1
Letter
1863