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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], Camp of the 11th New York Battery Letter, Ms1991-068, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Camp of the 11th New York Battery Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1991.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Camp of the 11th New York Battery Letter commenced and was completed in October, 2022.

Biographical Note

Although the writer of this letter is unknown, information within the letter suggests that it may have been written by Chauncey S. Titus. A roster of the 11th New York Artillery Battery seems to indicate that Titus was the only soldier within the battery to have enlisted as a private and to be serving within the battery as a lieutenant on the date that the letter was written. Chauncey S. Titus was born in Nelson (Madison County), New York in 1837. The 1860 federal census lists a Chauncey S. Titus, 25, living in the Nelson home of John S. and Delana Titus. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Titus attended Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar. A resident of Chittenango, New York, he enlisted for three years' service as a private in the 11th New York Battery on December 28, 1861; on March 1, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and on March 28, 1863, to 2nd lieutenant. In 1865, he married Virginia Winters (1843-1912); the couple would have four children. Following the war, Titus entered a law partnership with Andrew Colvin but later became engaged in banking and business. By 1875, the Tituses were living in Albany, New York. Around 1901, Titus moved from Albany to New York City, where he became a member of the board of education. Chauncey S. Titus died in New York on January 10, 1911, and was buried in Rural Cemetery, Albany.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single (incomplete) letter written by an unidentified lieutenant (possibly Chauncey S. Titus), presumably serving in the 11th New York Artillery Battery during the American Civil War. Written from the 11th's camp on February 9, 1864, the letter is addressed to "Dear Hattie" and was written in reply to Hattie's response to a "lonely hearts" or pen pal advertisement placed in "The Waverly" (probably The Waverly Magazine of Boston) by the soldier. The writer admits to having embellished his physical description to attract interest. He infers personality traits based on Hattie's handwriting, mentions Hattie's recent return from boarding school, shares his opinion of such institutions, then notes that he has enclosed his picture and asks Hattie to send hers in return.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Camp of the 11th New York Battery Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).