Woodard, George and Gene Smith

Transcription

1 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit November 15, 2013 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama August Tuscaloosa, Alabama, archives@ua.edu

2 Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical/Historical note... 3 Scope and Contents note... 4 Administrative Information... 4 Controlled Access Headings... 5 General note... 5 Collection Inventory Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository: Creator - Collector: Title: Physical Description: Location note: Language of the Material: ID: W.0112 Date: Abstract: Preferred Citation note University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama Williams, A. S., III George Woodard and Gene Smith letters 0.2 Linear feet (fifty-six letters) The A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama English Letters between Union soldier George Woodard, Company D, 8th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, and his fiancee Gene Smith, of Burnett, Wisconsin. Woodard served at the battle of Corinth and the Vicksburg Campaign. He died at a Memphis hospital in George Woodard and Gene Smith letters, A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama Biographical/Historical note George T. Woodard (sometimes documented or referred to as Woodward) enlisted in the Union Army on September 8, 1861, according to the Wisconsin Roster of Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, He enlisted in Company D, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, at the rank of sergeant and was later promoted to first sergeant. His company was at times in Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. He died January 31, 1864, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Gayosa Hospital after suffering from an illness. Two death notification letters, sent in February, were incorrectly dated as Page 3-

4 Woodard was engaged to Gene E. Smith of Burnett, Wisconsin. Her name was presumably Eugenia; a few letters are addressed to "Miss E. E. Smith." Scope and Contents note This collection contains fifty-six letters; George Woodard wrote forty-four of them, all to his fiancee, Gene Smith. At times he addresses letters to Genie, and the envelopes are often addressed to E. E. Smith--her name was likely Eugenia. His letters show his love and devotion to Gene and allude to activities they shared during their courtship. He also discusses camp life and the campaigns he was involved in, including the battle of Corinth and the siege of Vicksburg. A letter written on April 26, 1863, includes a small, hand-drawn battle map of Vicksburg. Many of his letters discuss his love of the Union and his willingness to sacrifice his life for his country. The collection includes six letters written from Gene to George; her letters are often humorous, but her handwriting is less legible than George's. There are three letters written to Gene from three friends or family members: Olive Woodard (George's mother); Otis Woodard (most likely his brother); and Gus. She received these after George's death, in 1864 and In addition, there are three death notification letters written in 1864, presumably received by Gene. The nurse who cared for him at the Gayoso Hotel hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, incorrectly dated her letter on predated letterhead as February 1, Her kind letter includes details of his death, which occurred the previous day. The hospital steward at Gayoso, Michael Cahill, wrote a letter, also incorrectly dated February 1, 1863, which discusses his death and the process through which his heirs could obtain his belongings and pay. His commanding officer and friend, Lieutenant S. C. McDowell, wrote her a kind and personal sympathy letter, correctly dated February 7, Each letter includes a typewritten, brief summary. These were presumably supplied by the seller. Administrative Information Publication Statement University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama August Page 4-

5 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Processed by Donnelly Walton, 2013 Provenance Gift of A. S. Williams III, Conditions Governing Access note none Controlled Access Headings Smith, Gene E. Williams, A. S., III Woodard, George T., Alabama--History--Civil War, Corinth, Battle of, Corinth, Miss., 1862 Letters (correspondence) Louisiana--History--Civil War, Mississippi--History--Civil War, Tennessee--History--Civil War, United States--History--Civil War, Hospitals United States--History--Civil War, Military life Vicksburg (Miss.)--History--Siege, 1863 General note Title on spine: Woodard Letters - Page 5-

6 Collection Inventory Title/Description George Woodard to Gene Smith, October February 1862 George Woodard to Gene Smith, April - December 1862 George Woodard to Gene Smith, 1863 Gene Smith to George Woodard, Letters to Gene Smith, Empty envelopes Instances Folder 1 Folder 2 Folder 3 Folder 4 Folder 5 Folder 6 - Page 6-