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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02163.09 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters from Oliver Edwards, field and staff, 37th regiment, Massachusetts infantry, to his mother, Eunice Lombard Edwards |
| Title | Oliver Edwards to Eunice Lombard Edwards regarding potentially dying in battle |
| Date | 16 January 1863 |
| Author | Edwards, Oliver (1835-1904) |
| Recipient | Edwards, Eunice Lombard |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Reports, "We are to cross the Rappahannock again tomorrow morning, although I am not so foolish as to allow myself to think that in the coming struggle I must die, yet well do I know that deadly as the fight must be; no man can count on coming out of it, and it is proper to make arrangements for what God alone knows may be." Imparts instructions regarding his last wishes: a ladies watch and chain should be purchased for Annie (possibly his wife), his watch and a picture of him shall be kept by his mother, his remaining property shall be divided between his siblings, and his bay horse Mac shall be given to Will (possibly his brother William Edwards). Writes, "dont let this grieve or frighten you for I hope and trust to be united with you... and only write this as I think I ought..." |
| Subjects | Religion Military History Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Death Battle Photography Estate Children and Family |
| People | Edwards, Oliver (1835-1904) Edwards, Eunice Lombard (1797-1875) Edwards, Annie (fl. 1863) Edwards, William (1830-1898) |
| Place written | Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Folder Information: The following biographical information is from the American Civil War database: Oliver Edwards was born in Springfield, Massachusetts 30 January 1835. At the beginning of the Civil war, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant and adjutant of the 10th Massachusetts regiment, and in January 1862, he was appointed senior aide-de-camp on the staff of General Darius N. Couch. He was commissioned major of the 37th Mass. regiment, 9 August 1862, was promoted colonel soon afterward, was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers 19 October 1864 for distinguished service at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House and at the battle of the Opequan; "was given the brevet rank of major-general of volunteers 5 April 1865, for gallantry in the battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, and on 19 May 1865, was given the full rank of brigadier-general of volunteers. After serving through the Peninsular campaign of 1862, and the Fredericksburg and Gettysburg campaigns, General Edwards was ordered to New York city to quell the draft riots of July 1863, and was placed in command of Forts Hamilton and Lafayette. Returning then to the Army of the Potomac, he took part in the battle of Rappahannock, and then distinguished himself at the battle of the Wilderness, when, on the second day, he made a charge at the head of the 37th Mass. regiment and succeeded in breaking through the Confederate lines. At Spotsylvania 12 May 1864, he was noted for holding the "bloody angle" during twenty-four hours of continuous fighting. He subsequently participated in all the battles of the overland campaign, and accompanied the 6th corps when sent to the defense of Washington against the advance of Early. He was also in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah valley, took part in the battle of Winchester and was placed in command of that city by General Sheridan. He distinguished himself at the final assault on Petersburg, when his brigade captured the guns in front of three of the enemy's brigades, and he received the surrender of the city 3 April 1865. At Sailor's creek, on April 6, with the 3d brigade of the 1st division, he captured General Custis Lee and staff with his entire brigade, Lieutenant-General Ewell and staff, and many others. General Edwards was mustered out of the army in January 1866. After the war engaged in mercantile pursuits both in England and the United States. The 37th Regiment was part of the Army of the Potomac September 1862- July 1864. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Mother |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 37th Regiment, Massachusetts infantry |