Margaret Preston collection
Collection — Folder: S1080
Identifier: S1080
Scope and Contents
In this collection, there are three typed items, none of which are dated. The first two items are letters from George A. Graff, Company F., 14th Indiana Volunteers Regiment, written to "Friend William," probably William Preston, brother of Margaret. The first letter, from camp near Elk Run, Virginia, states: "you speak about the battle of Gettysburg as being of more importance to us than Antietam. I do not think it was for the reason that we did not attack them and drive them, but as to attacking them, we did the first day and they whipped us bad, but that night our men fell back to a better postion so the next day the rebels attacked us on our ground and were repulsed every time, but if we had attacked them on their ground, they would have whipped us for sure."
The second letter from George Graff to William was written from camp south of "Raperhannock river," Virginia. He tells about visiting New York, and wished he could stay longer to "have seen my fun out." Perhaps he was involved in putting down the New York City draft riots in July 1863. He tells about their retreat from Robertson Run to Centerville, starting in October 1863. He wrote: "one time the Capt of our battery made a tolerable good shot which made the trees fall and he hollered take that over there."
The third item is a two-page article entitled "The Civil War," which Margaret Preston took from her book, "Reminescences of Early Terre Haute." She tells about her brother Willie, her father, and her uncle Charles Wood. Willie was wounded but recovered at home. Two other men in Company E, 71st Regiment, were John Ball and George Graff. She wrote that George Graff "fought at Gettysburg, but the hardships of the war were too great; he lost his mind and I think died in an insane asylum." John Blinn, age 23, died at Gettysburg.
The second letter from George Graff to William was written from camp south of "Raperhannock river," Virginia. He tells about visiting New York, and wished he could stay longer to "have seen my fun out." Perhaps he was involved in putting down the New York City draft riots in July 1863. He tells about their retreat from Robertson Run to Centerville, starting in October 1863. He wrote: "one time the Capt of our battery made a tolerable good shot which made the trees fall and he hollered take that over there."
The third item is a two-page article entitled "The Civil War," which Margaret Preston took from her book, "Reminescences of Early Terre Haute." She tells about her brother Willie, her father, and her uncle Charles Wood. Willie was wounded but recovered at home. Two other men in Company E, 71st Regiment, were John Ball and George Graff. She wrote that George Graff "fought at Gettysburg, but the hardships of the war were too great; he lost his mind and I think died in an insane asylum." John Blinn, age 23, died at Gettysburg.
Dates
- 1863; undated
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Margaret Preston wrote a book entitled, "Reminiscences of Early Terre Haute," from which the two-page typed article, "The Civil War," was taken. Her brother Willie fought in the Civil War. Her uncle was Charles Wood, who "engaged in railroad service."
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Florence Crawford on 1934/12/19.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 2015/01/22 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
- Title
- Margaret Preston collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
