The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC09006.01 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Levi W. Norton |
| Title | Levi W. Norton to wife regarding his appointment as chaplain, his health, and slaves he has seen |
| Date | 11 August 1861 |
| Author | Norton, Levi W. (fl. 1861-1862) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Caldwell near Mt. Hope. Has just commenced his work as chaplain for the 3rd Regt. Excelsior. A committee of two colored men from the nearby church asked him to preach at 3PM, but he puts it off till next Sunday as he feels unwell from the hot weather. He finds it very difficult to be away from his wife and children but believes that it is God's will for him to be in the Army. Writes that he has now given one service and hopes to do more when they get their Chapel tent. He has a health problem with his bowel so he had a rotten night but hopes to be better in a day or two. They have not seen an enemy yet and do not think they will see one soon, but they are on the look out. All the officers would prefer to go into Virginia, but Colonel. Taylor wants them to guard the approach to Washington in case the enemy breaks through those lines. Frequently sees slaves and free blacks. He notes that they are a happy set and the slaves seem perfectly at ease. He comments that they come to pay their respects and "the darkies are very polite" to him as they seem to realize who he is. Ends his letter by stating his love for his wife and children. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Military Camp Infantry African American History Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Religion Health and Medical Children and Family Washington, D.C. Confederate States of America Freemen Slavery Civil War Military History |
| People | Norton, Levi W. (fl. 1861-1862) |
| Place written | Hastings-on-Hudson, New York |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Religion; Health & Medicine; Slavery & Abolition; African Americans |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Folder Information: The collection consists of thirteen letters written by Levi W. Norton. Twelve of these letters are written to his wife, and one is addressed to his son, Fred. Norton was 41 years of age when he enlisted on 23 July 1861 at Staten Island, New York as a chaplain. He was commissioned into Field & Staff New York 72nd Infantry the following day. Norton was discharged on 20 April 1862 and died in 1900. The collection is accompanied by a newspaper, The Chautauqua Democrat, from Wednesday 25 September 1861. Selected highlights from the collection include: an explanation of a Bavarian emigrant's funeral in letter #6; Norton's sketch of his tent in #8; a descriptive account of the Washington Navy Yard. Another highlight is Norton's thoughts on the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries (August 28 - 29, 1861), the Battle of Yorktown (April 5 - May 4, 1862), and the Siege of New Orleans (April 25 - May 1, 1862) and the military generals involved in these battles. Another feature of the collection is Norton's opinions on a man named George joining the cavalry. He often discusses camp life, free and enslaved African-Americans, and religion. Norton expresses his love for his family in every letter. Ten of the envelopes have a free frank stamp with the signature of Congressman Reuben Eaton Fenton, who was born and died in Chautauqua County, New York. Fenton was elected as a Democrat to the 33rd United States Congress and served from 1853 to 1855. In 1857, he was elected as a Republican to the 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th United States Congresses; he served until 1865. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |