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William A. Smith Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3481

  • Staff Only

William A. Smith of the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry (also called the Irish Brigade) wrote this letter to his family in Chester County, Pennsylvania on August 30, 1863. In it, he reports that three men from the 2nd Division (one from the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry and another from the 20th Massachusetts Infantry) were executed for desertion and speculates that some from his own regiment might suffer the same fate.

Dates

  • 1863 August 30

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

William A. Smith of the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry (also called the Irish Brigade) wrote this letter to his family in Chester County, Pennsylvania on August 30, 1863. In it, he reports that three men from the 2nd Division (one from the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry and another from the 20th Massachusetts Infantry) were executed for desertion and speculates that some from his own regiment might suffer the same fate.

Biographical/Historical Note

The 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (USA) recruited its soldiers from the Irish Americans of Pennsylvania, primarily Philadelphia. Dennis Heenan served as the regiment's first colonel. The unit was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, known as the Irish Brigade. The regiment fought in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

William A. Smith enlisted in the Union Army on August 21, 1862 as a Private and joined Company D of the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

Special Collections purchased this letter in April of 2011.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480