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John E. Rastall papers

 Collection 0173-MDHC
 

John E. Rastall papers

 Collection 0173-MDHC

The John E. Rastall papers consist of 128 letters written between September 1861 and October 1864 by John E. Rastall to his parents and brothers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Of particular interest are discussions of both the military and social aspects of army life, as well as descriptions of how Union and Confederate sympathies were expressed by civilians in Maryland during the war.

Use and Access to Collection

This collection is open for research.

Dates
Creation: 1861-1864
Extent
128 Items
Language of Materials
English
Script
Latin

Series I consists of letters sent from John E. Rastall to his parents and brothers. The letters discuss the social and professional aspects of life in the military, as well as current events and specific battles. Rastall describes his regiment's role in the battle of Gettysburg, speculates on the possible effect of the draft on his brothers in Wisconsin, and offers his impressions of prominent people such as General McClellan and Mary Todd Lincoln. He also reminisces about life at home in Milwaukee and describes civilian parties, meetings, and excursions he enjoyed in Maryland. The subjects addressed also include deserters from the First Maryland, Rastall's attempts to secure a promotion, his role in the battle of Gettysburg, court-martials, the draft, and the impressment of free blacks into the Union army. The arrangement is chronological.

Dates
Creation: 1861-1864
Extent
128 Items

Correspondence, September 1861-December 1862

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 1.0
Dates
Creation: September 1861-December 1862
Language of Materials
English

Correspondence, January-June 1863

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 2.0
Dates
Creation: January-June 1863

Correspondence, July-November 1863

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 3.0
Dates
Creation: July-November 1863

Correspondence, January-June 1864

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 4.0
Dates
Creation: January-June 1864

Correspondence, July-October 1864

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 5.0
Dates
Creation: July-October 1864
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