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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02163.13 |
| 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 prisoners of war, his wife and a future potential battle |
| Date | 16 November 1863 |
| Author | Edwards, Oliver (1835-1904) |
| Recipient | Edwards, Eunice Lombard |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Written near Culpepper Courthouse. Received correspondence from his mother while at Kelly's Ford, Virginia. Reports that the 2nd Corps (Army of the Potomac) was engaged the previous day: "they took a Brigade of Rebel Prisoners and have possession of the Heights on the south side of the Rapidan. I do hope that it is so..." Thanks his family for making his wife Annie content in Springfield, Massachusetts. Notes that Will (his brother) may travel to Virginia for a visit within the month, and if Annie cares to join Will, she may, "as it will probably be some time before we go into Winter quarters. Gen Meade expects a great Battle I hear of 30,000 on the Peninsular but I fear it is to late in the season to operate on Richmond..." Discusses investing his pay in government bonds. Sends his love to family. |
| Subjects | Military History Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Army of the Potomac Battle Confederate States of America Prisoner of War Women's History Military Camp Children and Family Union General Banking Government and Civics Finance Soldier's Pay Election |
| People | Edwards, Oliver (1835-1904) Edwards, Eunice Lombard (1797-1875) Edwards, William (1830-1898) Edwards, Annie (fl. 1863) Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872) |
| 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.General George Gordon Meade commanded Army of the Potomac 28 June 1863 - 30 December 1864 and 11 January - 27 June 1865. |
| 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 |