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], Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter, Ms1989-088, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Lancaster, Massachusetts, Civil War Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Biographical / Historical

The writer of this letter is identified by first name only, and the signature is not clearly legible, though it appears to be "Spencer." The writer may have been Spencer R. Merrick (1832-1907), who served as selectman in Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1862-1863.

Both this letter and the letter in Ms1989-091 (Massachusetts Civil War Letter) seem likely to have been written to Cyrus Henry Merrick (1829-1914), brother of Spencer R. Merrick. The letters were acquired from the same source on the same day. The writer of this letter addresses the intended recipient as "Bro," and the signature appears to be "Spencer." The letter is written from Lancaster. The 1850 census shows Spencer R. Merrick, 17, and Cyrus H. Merrick, 20, living in the Lancaster (Worcester County), Massachusetts home of Cyrus and Elizabeth H. Merrick.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by an unidentified civilian in Lancaster, Massachusetts to his brother. After discussing his duties as a local official, such as being called upon to quell a domestic disturbance at the Peter home, the writer reports on the participation of the 53rd Massachusetts Infantry in the Battle of Port Hudson, including the deaths of Captain Washburn and Lieutenant Vose. He also conveys news of recent Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg and mentions the resulting local celebration: "At any rate the batteries all around us opened half an hour ago and are thundering away. And now I hear bells at Leominster."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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