Battle of the Wilderness Narrative Battle of the Wilderness Narrative, n.d. Ms.2010.037

Battle of the Wilderness Narrative, n.d. Ms.2010.037


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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

Josh Howard, Library Assistant

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2010.037
Title
Battle of the Wilderness Narrative n.d.
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The collection consists of a partial description written by an unknown author of a Union soldier's experience during the first four days of the Wilderness campaign of May 1864 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 for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Battle of the Wilderness Narrative, Ms2010-037, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Battle of the Wilderness Narrative was purchased by Special Collections in March 2010.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Battle of the Wilderness Narrative commenced and was completed in June 2010.


Biographical Note

The author of the narrative is an unnamed person identifying himself as a Union soldier in General Winfield Scott Hancock's II Corps during the American Civil War.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a partial description written by an unknown author of a Union soldier's experience during the first four days of the Wilderness campaign of May 1864 during the American Civil War.

The partial narrative describes the Union experience in the Wilderness campaign from May 3 through May 6, 1864. The narrative describes how the author's II Corps received orders from Major General George Meade ordering them to march south towards battle in Virginia. The experience of the march towards the battle and descriptions of the first skirmishes in the battle are also detailed.

The II Corps actual strength at the beginning of the fight was 46,363 with 28,854 present for duty. The author cites the force as "40,000 soldiers all in line ready for the march."

While the author of the narrative is unknown, the information within it is consistent with the II Corps movements on the days written about. Based on casualty records, there existed at least 27,000 Union soldiers who could potentially be the author.

There is also a transcription of the narrative within the collection.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
  • United States. Army. Corps, 2nd (1862-1865)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Battle of the Wilderness Narrative 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
Partial narrative and transcript
n.d.