Candler, William Latham, Papers William Latham Candler Papers, 1861-1863 Ms.1997.007

William Latham Candler Papers, 1861-1863 Ms.1997.007


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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

Special Collections and University Archives Staff

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1997.007
Title
William Latham Candler Papers 1861-1863
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Candler, William Latham
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The collection consists of fourteen letters, dating from September 8, 1861, to February 15, 1863, from William Latham Candler to his uncle Charles [probably maternal uncle Charles Henry Wheelwright] and his brother, John W. Candler of Boston. Candler's letters were written from camps in Maryland and Virginia during the American Civil War.

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 to research.

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection has been digitized and is available online .

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William Latham Candler Papers, Ms1997-007, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William Latham Candler Papers were purchased by Special Collections in April 1997.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William Latham Candler Papers commenced and was completed in 1997. Additional description was completed in October 2009.


Biographical Note

William Latham Candler of Brookline, Massachusetts, served in Company A of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. He enlisted on May 25, 1861, as a 1st Lieutenant, and was promoted to Captain and Aide-de-Camp, U.S. Volunteers, in November 1862. He served as a captain in General Joseph Hooker's staff from November 10, 1862, until his resignation from service in May 1863.

For more information see: Cudworth, Warren H., History of the First Regiment (Massachusetts Infantry), from the 25th of May, 1861, to the 25th of May, 1864; including Brief References to the Operations of the Army of the Potomac (Boston, Walker, Fuller, and Company, 1866). Spec Civil War E513.5 1st .C88 1866

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of fourteen letters, dating from September 8, 1861, to February 15, 1863, from William Latham Candler to his uncle Charles [probably maternal uncle Charles Henry Wheelwright] and his brother, John W. Candler of Boston during the American Civil War.

The letters are articulate and descriptive, replete with Candler's strong opinions about the state of the Union, the abilities of the generals (Union and Confederate) who were running the war and the politicians who were running the country, and his own ambitions for advancing in rank and status in the army. On May 10, 1862, he writes from Williamsburg, Virginia, about the engagement with the Confederates and their sharpshooters. His June 24, 1962, letters from Fair Oaks, Virginia, and his July 7, 1862 letter from Harrison's Bar, Virginia, describe his units participation in the Battle of Mechanicsville, which was part of the Seven Days Campaign.

Candler's November 6, 1862, letter, written from Washington, D.C., has much about General George McClellan's political troubles, written soon before McClennan was removed from command of the Army of the Potomac and replaced by Ambrose E. Burnside. His December 21, 1862, letter disparagingly comments on the Union army's performance at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 13.

Candler interspersed the letters with his concerns about the well-being of his fiance, and later, wife, Fannie, and his fear that his brother John will join the army and leave no one to care for their mother or John's children. Candler often asks his brother, a businessman in Boston, to send money.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in chronological order.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William Latham Candler 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

folder 1
Letter from Camp Union, Bladensburg, Maryland to his uncle
September 8, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Camp Union, Bladensburg, Maryland to his uncle
September 10, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Camp Union, Bladensburg, Maryland to his brother
October 22, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Camp Union, Bladensburg, Maryland to his brother
October 23, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Camp Hooker-Duncaster Charles Co., Maryland (near Budds Ferry) to his brother
November 2, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Camp Hooker-Lower Potomac, Maryland (near Budds Ferry) to his brother
December 8, 1861
folder 1
Letter from Office of Provost Marshall in Mayor Saunder's house in Williamsburg, Virginia, to his uncle
May 10, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Head Quarters Hooker's Div.-Camp near Fair Oaks, Virginia, to his brother
June 24, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Camp near Harrison's Bar, Virginia, to his brother
July 7, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Camp near Harrison's Landing, Virginia, to his brother
July 15, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Camp near James River, Virginia, to his brother
July 18, 1862
folder 1
Letter from National Hotel in Washington, D.C., to his brother
November 6, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Camp near Potomac Creek to his brother
December 21, 1862
folder 1
Letter from Head Quarters of Army of the Potomac–Camp near Falmouth to his brother
February 15, 1863