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Erasmus W. Reed letters

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S2239

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 60 letters written by Erasmus W. Reed and sent to his family while he served in Company B, 96th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry during the U.S. Civil War. Ranging from October 1861 to July 30, 1864, the letters were written mostly from camps in Maryland and Virginia, but one was written "on the road between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pa." Three letters in the collection are undated and three others are undated and incomplete.

Dates

  • 1861-1864

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

Erasmus William Reed was born January 14, 1841 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania to Wiliam and Rebecca (Rehrer) Reed. He served three years in Company B, 96th Pennsylvania Infantry during the U.S. Civil War and was honorably discharged in October 1864. Reed married Mary Elizabeth Koons in 1866 and they had nine children. He was a master carpenter, but was not able to hold a full-time job due to chronic asthma that he developed during the war. Erasmus Reed passed away at the age of 78 on January 17, 1919.

Sources:

Schrantz, Joseph. "Civil War Letters of Resident Found." The South Bend Tribune (IN), December 31, , 1961. https://www.newspapers.com.

"The Mortuary Record: Erasmus W. Reed." The South Bend Tribune (IN), January 18, 1919. https://www.newspapers.com.

Extent

0.02 Cubic Feet (2 folders)

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 Mrs. Willard (Martha) Croxall on 1966/09/06.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2021/09/20 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2021/09/20 by Laura Eliason.
Title
Erasmus W. Reed letters
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671

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