George L. Garrett Letters
This collection consists of two letters written by George L. Garrett, a soldier in the Union Army, one to his father and one to his mother, describing his service as a Private in the Anderson Troop. The letter from his father, set from Bowling Green, Kentucky, describes his suffering an illness that kept him away from his troop, and asking that an earlier request for money be disregarded. The letter to his mother is dated about a month later and discusses General Rosecrans and his religious practices, The fortifications of Nashville, and his dislike of the Anderson Cavalry, which was often mistaken for the Anderson Troop. Both letters include their original envelopes.
Dates
- 1862 September 26-November 3
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested 5 days in advance. See www.lib.utk.edu/special 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. Please see www.lib.utk.edu/special for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 oversize folder)
Abstract
This collection consists of two letters written by George L. Garrett, a soldier in the Union Army, one to his father and one to his mother, describing his service as a Private in the Anderson Troop.
Biographical / Historical
George Levi Garrett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1837 to parents George Howell and Margaret Hall Garrett. He is listed on the 1860 census as a wheelwright, but at the age of 25, he joined the Union Army. Garrett served in the Anderson Troop, a special cavalry company that served as scouts, couriers, and escorts for Generals William S. Rosecrans and Don Carlos Buell. After mustering out in March of 1863, he returned to working as a wheelwright, and on May 18, 1873, he married Sophia Gray in St. Paul, Minnesota. They had at least two children together, and lived the rest of their lives in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
George L. Garret died of an intestinal blockage on August 20, 1907, at the age of 70 while visiting Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was returned to his hometown and buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single oversize folder.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Special Collections purchased this collection in 2008.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository