Harry C. Cushing Letters
This collection consists primarily of two sets of letters that Harry C. Cushing wrote to his mother, father, and friend Ned Atwell while serving in the U.S. Civil War. The first set of letters is composed of photocopies of original letters held at the Rhode Island Historical Society. The second set are originals written between September 1860 and November 1864 and include the letters that Cushing wrote while stationed in Tennessee from November 1862 to March 1864. Many of these documents provide detailed descriptions of battles as well as witty stories regarding camp life and occasional sketches.
Dates
- 1861 October 1-1865 January 1, undated
Language of Materials
This material is in English.
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
1.8 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection consists primarily of two sets of letters that Harry C. Cushing wrote to his mother, father, and friend Ned Atwell while serving in the U.S. Civil War. The first set of letters is composed of photocopies of original letters held at the Rhode Island Historical Society. The second set are originals written between September 1860 and November 1864 and include the letters that Cushing wrote while stationed in Tennessee from November 1862 to March 1864. Many of these documents provide detailed descriptions of battles as well as witty stories regarding camp life and occasional sketches.
Biographical/Historical Note
Harry Cooke Cushing was born on November 8, 1841 in Baltimore, Maryland to George William and Sarah Shepard (Cooke) Cushing. The family soon moved to Providence, Rhode Island where Harry Cushing attended Brown University until the U.S. Civil War broke out. He enlisted in Company A of the 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Battery on June 6, 1861 and was promoted to Full Sergeant on September 16, 1861. Cushing was promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant and commissioned as an officer in the Regular Army 4th Light Artillery Regiment on November 3, 1861. He was promoted by brevet to Full 1st Lieutenant on August 9, 1862, to Full 1st Lieutenant on September 17, 1862, by brevet to Captain on September 20, 1863, and by brevet to Major on August 28, 1864. Cushing remained in the Army after the war ended, was promoted to Full Captain on August 22, 1871, and served in the Indian Wars before retiring on February 12, 1895 due to a disability acquired in the line of duty.
Cushing married Martha Weatherille Budd on June 11, 1868. Together they had four children: Harry Cooke (1869-1933), Otho Williams (1870-1942), Louisa (born 1871; died in infancy), and Nicholas Cooke (1873-). After his retirement from the military, Cushing lived in New Rochelle, New York where he died on July 2, 1902. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single box.
Existence and Location of Originals
The letters that are photocopies are made from originals held at the Rhode Island Historical Society.
- Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
- United States. Army. Artillery Regiment, 4th.
- United States. Army. Rhode Island Light Artillery Regiment, 1st (1861-1865).
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository