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], John Eiseman Letter, Ms1989-049, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John Eiseman Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the John Eiseman Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Biographical Note

John Eiseman was born in New York City in 1842. On August 19, 1862, Eiseman enlisted as a corporal in Company D, 133rd New York Infantry. By the time he mustered out, in June 1865, he had risen to the rank of sergeant. The 1863 New York draft registration list describes Eiseman as a 20-year-old, unmarried goldsmith. The 1870 federal census lists John Eiseman, 27, among the inhabitants in the New York City residence of Michael Eiseman. Following the war, Eiseman remained active in politics and veteran organizations and worked as a government employee in the Department of Public Stores. He married Babette Seidel (1846-1936), and the couple had six children. John Eiseman died in Brooklyn in May 1902.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a three-part letter written by John Eiseman (sometimes identified as Eisemann), serving in Company D, 133rd New York Infantry during the American Civil War. Written from Berwick City, Louisiana on April 11, 1863, and continued a week later in two parts, the letter is addressed to Eiseman's parents. Eiseman chronicles his regiment's movements since his last letter and describes camping in a swamp. He mentions the running of gunboats past Port Hudson and the explosion of the gunboat Mississippi , then describes in detail his participation in a recent battle in the vicinity of Franklin, Louisiana, during the Bayou Teche campaign.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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