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.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dudley Gale Letter, Ms1992 014, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Dudley Gale Letters were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1992.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Dudley Gale Letters commenced and was completed in September 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Dudley E. Gale, son of Albert and Martha Frost Gale, was born in Methuen (Essex County), Massachusetts on August 21, 1844. By 1860, the Gales were living in Salisbury (Essex County). Gale enlisted in Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry, on November 8, 1861. At the time of his enlistment, Gale was employed as a hatter, probably working for his father. Following his discharge on November 14, 1864, Gale returned to Salisbury and his job as a hatter. In 1866, he married Agnes Ellen Morrill (1845-1897); the couple had one daughter. By 1870, Gale had become a carriage-maker. In 1877, he entered into short-lived carriage-making partnership with Osgood Morrill. After the dissolution of Gale & Morrill in 1878, Dudley established D. E. Gale & Co. The company was sold to J. F. Esten & Son in 1887. The 1900 federal census shows Gale, by then living in Amesbury (Essex County) with his daughter and granddaughter and still working as a carriage-maker. Dudley E. Gale died in Amesbury (Essex County), on December 26, 1916, and was buried in Mount Prospect Cemetery, Amesbury.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains two letters written by Dudley E. Gale, a soldier in Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry during the American Civil War. Both items were written to Gale's mother. Writing on December 5 [1862] from New Orleans, Gale at length laments the upcoming departure of Frank, a close friend, for home. He also mentions his company's recent guard duty at Butler's headquarters, in anticipation of a mob, then describes the local weather and proliferation of mosquitoes. The second piece, which appears to be a postscript rather than a complete letter, written on July 23 [year unknown], conveys the news that Gale will soon be returning home on a medical furlough.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

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

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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