Henry Drake Letter and Photograph
Henry Drake, a fighting sutler with the 107th New York Infantry, wrote this letter from camp near Dallas, Georgia on June 1, 1864. In it, he details his unit's march to their current location and recounts their subsequent battles with Confederate soldiers. The letter also describes the death of Drake's fellow soldier and friend Will E. Vanauken, who Drake says he may have loved and thought too much of. Also included is an undated photograph of Drake.
Dates
- 1864 June 1, undated
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
Henry Drake, a fighting sutler with the 107th New York Infantry, wrote this letter from camp near Dallas, Georgia on June 1, 1864. In it, he details his unit's march to their current location and recounts their subsequent battles with Confederate soldiers. The letter also describes the death of Drake's fellow soldier and friend Will E. Vanauken, who Drake says he may have loved and thought too much of. Also included is an undated photograph of Drake.
Biographical/Historical Note
During the Civil War, civilian sutler Henry Drake traveled and fought with the 107th New York Infantry.
William E. VanAuken was born to John and Emma (Vredenburg) VanAuken around 1841. VanAuken mustered into Company D of the 107th New York Infantry as a Private in August 1862. He was promoted to Corporal in April 1863 and then to Sergeant in March 1864. VanAuken was killed in action at the Battle of Dallas in Georgia on May 25, 1864. VanAuken is buried at Marietta National Cemetery in Georgia (the surname on his headstone reads “Nanuaken”).
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this collection in February of 2011.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository