GEORGE H. SUYDAM CORRESPONDENCE Mss. 5307 Inventory Compiled by Nick Skaggs Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections Special Collections, Hill Memorial Library Louisiana State University Libraries Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University 2017
CONTENTS OF INVENTORY SUMMARY... 3 BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE... 4 SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE... 5 LIST OF SERIES... 6 SERIES DESCRIPTIONS... 7 INDEX TERMS... 10 CONTAINER LIST... 11 Use of manuscript materials. If you wish to examine items in the manuscript group, please place a request via the Special Collections Request System. Consult the Container List for location information. Photocopying. Should you wish to request photocopies, please consult a staff member. Do not remove items to be photocopied. The existing order and arrangement of unbound materials must be maintained. Reproductions must be made from surrogates (microfilm, digital scan, photocopy of original held by LSU Libraries), when available. Publication. Readers assume full responsibility for compliance with laws regarding copyright, literary property rights, and libel. Proper acknowledgement of LLMVC materials must be made in any resulting writing or publications. The correct form of citation for this manuscript group is given on the summary page. Copies of scholarly publications based on research in the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections are welcomed. Page 2 of 11
SUMMARY Size. Geographic locations. 1.2 linear ft. Baton Rouge, La.; Donaldsonville, La.; New Orleans, La.; Port Hudson, La.; Georgia; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Washington, D.C. Inclusive dates. 1861-1899 Bulk dates. 1863-1865 Language. English Summary. Collection is comprised of correspondence received by George H. Suydam before, while, and after he served as a lieutenant and captain in the United States Army during the Civil War. Letters were received from family members and friends. Topics include information about daily life, family life, the war, and other current events. Collection also contains some printed materials. Arrangement. Restrictions on access. Related collections. Copyright. Citation. Collection is arranged chronologically. None. G. H. Suydam Photograph Collection, Mss. 1394 For those materials not in the public domain, copyright is retained by the descendants of the creators in accordance with U.S. Copyright law. George H. Suydam Correspondence, Mss. 5307, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La. Stack locations. E:72 Page 3 of 11
BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE George H. (Henry) Suydam was born on November 14, 1842 in New York City. He was the son of Henry Suydam, Jr. (1806-1858) and Almira (maiden name Van Nostrand) Suydam (died 1868). He grew up in Newark, New Jersey with his siblings: Mary L., John Henry, Margaret Rapelye, Charles Crook (1 st lieutenant of the 5 th Cavalry Regiment, New York Volunteers and assistant adjutant general to General E. D. Keyes; later lieutenant colonel of the 3 rd Cavalry Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers), Adeline, Almira, James Van Nostrand, and Helen R. He was living in Brooklyn and working as a clerk before the Civil War. On October 16, 1862, George H. enlisted and was commissioned as 2 nd lieutenant of Company C of the 162 nd Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers (also called the 3 rd Metropolitan Guard). The 162 nd Infantry Regiment would eventually be consolidated with the 174 th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers (in February 1864). His regiment first served under General N. P. Banks in the Army of the Gulf, 1 st Division, 19 th Army Corps. After traveling to Washington, D.C., the regiment moved to New Orleans in November 1862 and then eventually to Baton Rouge for training. George H. participated in the Siege of Port Hudson in July 1863, where afterwards he was commissioned as 1 st lieutenant. Soon after that, he traveled to Donaldsonville as part of the relief effort at Fort Butler, where he also fought in the Battle of Kock s (or Cox s) Plantation. In 1864, his regiment fought in the Red River Campaign, including the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads and the Battle of Pleasant Hill in April. After retreating to Morganza, the regiment then moved to Fortress Monroe, Virginia in July, and in August, George H. was commissioned as captain of Company H. The regiment then participated in General Sheridan s Shenandoah Valley Campaign. While the regiment had duty in Washington, D.C. from April to June 1865, George H. attended the Grand Review of the Armies in May. Near the end of his service, he spent time in Hawkinsville, Georgia and then Savannah, where he was finally mustered out of service on October 12, 1865. Page 4 of 11
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The collection is chiefly comprised of personal correspondence received by George H. Suydam before, during, and after his service in the United States Army during the Civil War. He mostly received letters from family members and friends, with the majority of the letters being written by his mother (Almira Suydam), his sister Adeline (Addie) Suydam, his sister Mary L. Mathu, his brother Charles (Charley) Crook Suydam, his brother James Van Nostrand Suydam, his brother John (Jack) Henry Suydam, and United States Army captain (of the 174 th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers) Eugene S. Eunson. Other letters were written by his sister Almira (Allie) Fullerton, his sister Margaret (Maggie or Mag) Rapelye Dodge, his sister Helen R. Suydam, his sister in law Lizzie G. Suydam, his nephew Willie Suydam, his cousin Anna C. Suydam, his uncle Horatio Dorr, Sr., his cousin Gertrude Dorr, his cousin Mary Dorr, his cousin J. Van Nostrand Dorr, his uncle E. B. Gardner, his uncle Harman C. Westervelt, his aunt Louisa Westervelt, his cousin Louise (Lou) Westervelt, his cousin Mary Westervelt, his cousin Chrissie H. Dodge, his cousin John (Jack) Van Nostrand, J. J. Van Nostrand, George A. Jarvis, Mary C. Jarvis, H. Fisher, R. G. (Robert Groat) Eunson (father of Eugene S. Eunson), W. W. Miner, Will Sharpe, Jr., Sarah Sharpe, A. B. Hiltman, John Henry Hull, Maggie M. Helm, and F. A. Marsh. All letters were written to George H. with the exception of one letter from George H. s mother to Charley s wife Lizzie (February 11, 1863). Letters from family members contain information about home life in New York, New Jersey, and other areas of the North. George H. s mother, Addie, and Helen usually wrote from Roseville in Newark, New Jersey and sometimes from Montclair, New Jersey and Monticello, New York. Mary L., James, and Jack usually wrote from Brooklyn and New York City (with James later writing from Beaufort, North Carolina starting in 1864). The majority of Eugene s letters were written from Annapolis, Maryland and Hart Island, New York. George H. s mother, Addie, and James usually wrote at least once a month, sometimes twice a month, while others wrote intermittently. Topics of the letters include updates on and news about other family members and family friends; information about current events; news, rumors, personal thoughts, and comments about the progress of the war and the war in general; descriptions of vacations, trips, and parties that the correspondents took or attended; descriptions of general day-to-day life (e.g., going to church, reports of business accounts, comments on the weather, etc.); and questions about George H. s current location, duties, and wellbeing. The collection also contains some printed materials. Page 5 of 11
LIST OF SERIES Series I. Series II. Correspondence, 1861-1867, undated Printed Materials, 1899, undated Page 6 of 11
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS Series I. Correspondence, 1861-1867, undated Most letters were bound with their original envelopes. These envelopes were kept together with their respective letters, as the addresses on the envelopes show where George H. was during the time that he received the letters. Locations on the envelopes were also used to help date some letters. Envelopes are arranged directly behind their respective letters throughout the folders. 1861: The only 1861 letter is from Charley. He, in Washington, D.C. at the time, mentions seeing Abraham Lincoln and Mrs. Lincoln at the White House (December 15, 1861). 1862: Most 1862 letters are from Charley at the Head Quarters of the 4 th Corps, Army of the Potomac, near Harrison s Bar. He writes about war losses and dwindling troop numbers related to diseases, the horrific look of the battlefield, and his thoughts on the incompetence of higher officers (July 8, 1862). He later gives George H. advice on enlisting and recommends that he prepare (study and drill) beforehand in order to become an officer (August 10, 1862). Will (also called Willie) Sharpe, Jr. writes a congratulatory letter regarding George H. s enlistment and George H. obtaining the commission he desired as 2 nd lieutenant (October 25, 1862). There are also two letters from Louisa Westervelt (February 8, 1862; November 4, 1862). 1863: Letters are from various correspondents. Jack mentions hearing news of the capture of Arkansas Post on the Arkansas River (January 17, 1863). James and Charley mention Abram (called Abe or Abby) Suydam, their cousin, being killed during the Battle of Fredericksburg (January 3, 1863; February 9, 1863). George H. s mother and Addie mention organizing a charity fair at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Newark (February 4, 1863; February 8, 1863). Charley mentions tension and talk surrounding Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, and Port Hudson (April 5, 1863). James writes that Irish workers are striking for higher wages and that two Irish men attack two black workers in New York City (April 20, 1863). George H. s mother mentions going to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn to visit her husband s grave and mentions Maggie Dodge having a baby (June 24, 1863). Addie describes the draft riots that took place in New York City (July 15, 1863), as do Mary L. (July 13, 1863) and James (July 14, 1863; July 16, 1863). George H. s mother writes that Charley is trying to organize a new cavalry regiment because of General Keyes retirement, and she mentions George H. being in Donaldsonville (July 26, 1863). Letters from George H. s mother (September 25, 1863; October 22, 1863), Addie (September 25, 1863), and Mary L. (October 1, 1863) describe the death of family friend Howard Burnham, killed in battle at Chattanooga, Tennessee. George H. s mother mentions Charley receiving the commission of lieutenant colonel of the 3 rd Cavalry Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers and mentions George H. s promotion to 1 st lieutenant within his regiment (November 27, 1863). There are also two letters from Maggie Dodge (February 16, 1863; October 18, 1863), one letter from Allie Fullerton (August 23, 1863), one letter from H. Fisher (February 9, 1863), one letter from George A. Jarvis (November Page 7 of 11
10, 1863), one letter from Lizzie G. Suydam (February 15, 1863), one letter from Louisa Westervelt (February 22, 1863), one letter from Horatio Dorr, Sr. (February 1, 1863), one letter from Mary Dorr (April 16, 1863), one letter from J. Van Nostrand Dorr (August 4, 1863), and one letter from Gertrude H. Dorr (December 6, 1863). 1864: Letters are from various correspondents. George H. s mother sends him a newspaper clipping of an obituary for Thomas Tileston, a close friend of George H. s father (February 29, 1864). R. G. Eunson, father of captain Eugene S. Eunson, writes to George H. thanking him for the update about his son, who was wounded and taken prisoner (May 6, 1864). W. W. Miner writes to ask if his friend, 2 nd lieutenant Theodore A. Scudder, was actually killed in battle. Miner also mentions General Banks recent defeat at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill (May 6, 1864). George H. s uncle Harman mentions General Canby relieving General Banks (May 10, 1864). George H. s mother mentions that Charley, now serving under General Burnside, is on scouting duty outside of Fredericksburg (May 20, 1864). F. A. Marsh mentions that the Rebels now occupy Fredericktown and are threatening to advance on Baltimore (July 10, 1864). The first occurrence of a letter addressed to George H. in Virginia (from George H. s mother; addressed to Fortress Monroe) is dated July 24, 1864. Eugene mentions visiting George H. s family in Monticello, Sullivan County, New York (August 2, 1864). Addie congratulates George H. on receiving his commission as captain (August 12, 1864). Eunson mentions hearing of the capture of Atlanta, and he also describes hearing Confederate officers and soldiers discuss the low probability of actually winning the war while he was a prisoner (September 5, 1864). Eunson writes that he is to report to Annapolis, Maryland for camp parole (September 18, 1864) and later describes his time there (October 2, 1864). Eunson also writes that his leg, wounded in battle, is doing better (November 16, 1864). Charley mentions that his wife Lizzie gives birth to a little girl, and they name the child Margaret Rapelye after his and George H. s sister Maggie and their grandmother Margaret Suydam (November 6, 1864). There are also three letters from Mary Dorr (July 1864; October 12, 1864; December 25, 1864), two letters from Allie (February 14, 1864; October 16, 1864), two letters from Maggie Dodge (September 8, 1864; December 11, 1864), two letters from Chrissie Dodge (February 12, 1864; February 26, 1864), two letters from Sarah Sharpe (September 4, 1864; November 26, 1864), one additional letter from Harman C. Westervelt (August 24, 1864), one letter from George A. Jarvis (January 23, 1864), one letter from Louise Westervelt (March 7, 1864), one letter from Gertrude H. Dorr (March 26, 1864), one letter from J. Van Nostrand Dorr (May 4, 1864), one letter from Maggie M. Helm (October 24, 1864), one letter from John Henry Hull (December 8, 1864), and one letter from Will Sharpe, Jr. (September 13, 1864). 1865: Letters are from various correspondents. Addie mentions that George H. was able to visit the family recently (January 22, 1865). Eunson writes from Hart Island, New York, where he is on garrison duty (February 5, 1865; February 23, 1865; March 31, 1865). Will Sharpe, Jr. describes New York City after the news spread of Richmond being taken by the United States Army (April 5, 1865), as does John Van Nostrand (April 7, 1865). Addie mentions the assassination of President Lincoln (April 16, 1865; April 30, 1865), as does George H. s young nephew Willie Suydam (April 17, 1865) and Page 8 of 11
Eugene (April 21, 1865). James, writing from Beaufort, North Carolina, congratulates George H. on his returning home to New York. (October 29, 1865). There are also three additional letters from Will Sharpe, Jr. (March 5, 1865; May 24, 1865; August 7, 1865), three letters from Maggie Dodge (January 29, 1865; February 12, 1865; May 28, 1865), two letters from Louise Westervelt (February 18, 1865; March 17, 1865), two letters from Anna C. Suydam (March 22, 1865; April 26, 1865), two letters from Harman C. Westervelt (July 20, 1865; September 14, 1865), one letter from Mary Westervelt (April 10, 1865), one letter from E. B. Gardner (February 19, 1865), one letter from Mary C. Jarvis (March 18, 1865), one letter from A. B. Hiltman (June 27, 1865), and one letter from Louisa Westervelt (July 9, 1865) 1866: The only 1866 letter is from Eugene, inviting George H. to come visit him (January 18, 1866). 1867: The only 1867 letter is from Helen (October 24, 1867). Undated: There are two undated letters. One is from J. J. Van Nostrand, writing from New York, and one is from George H. s mother, writing from Factoryville. There is also an undated handwritten song lyric sheet titled U pi dee, Improved Version. Series II. Printed materials, 1899, undated Some letters were bound together with newspaper clippings and other printed materials from periodicals. These materials were noted and separated from the original letters. Series contains a certified copy of George H. s discharge certificate, notarized March 15, 1899; two clippings from unidentified newspapers that relate to the death of Thomas Tileston (originally attached to February 29, 1864 letter from George H. s mother); pages from Mr. Merryman s Monthly containing Part IV of Mokeanna; or, the White Witness and a small clipping from an unidentified newspaper (originally attached to July 12, 1863 letter from Addie); pages from The Red Book of Edith Fullerton Scott s In Time of Need (not previously attached to any particular letter; found in section C of original letterbox); clipping from unidentified newspaper with an image of Miss Margaret R. Suydam titled The Rochambeau Makes Port After Stormy Trip (not attached to any particular letter; found in section A of original letterbox); blank deposit slip from The North Jersey Trust Company (not attached to any particular letter; found in section C of original letterbox); and the name index for the original letterbox. Page 9 of 11
INDEX TERMS Beaufort (N.C.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Camp Parole (Md.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Draft Riot, New York, N.Y., 1863. Eunson, Eugene S., 1841-1914. Hart Island (N.Y.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Letters (correspondence) Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Assassination. Montclair (N.J.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Monticello (Sullivan County, N.Y.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Newark (N.J.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Roseville (Newark, N.J.)--Social life and customs--19 th century. Suydam, Adeline, 1838 or 1839- Suydam, Almira, -1868. Suydam, Charles Crooke, 1836-1911. Suydam, G. H. (George Henry), 1842-1914. United States. Army. New Jersey Cavalry Regiment, 3 rd (1864-1865) United States. Army. New York Cavalry Regiment, 5 th (1861-1865) United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 162 nd (1862-1865). Company C. United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 162 nd (1862-1865). Company H. United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 174 th (1862-1865) United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Social aspects. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women. Page 10 of 11
CONTAINER LIST Stack Location Box Folders Contents with dates Series I. Correspondence, 1861-1867, undated E:72 1 1-11 1861-November 1863 2 1-11 December 1863-September 1864 3 1-12 October 1864-April 1865 4 1-8 May 1865-1867, undated Series II. Printed Materials, 1899, undated 9 Certified discharge, March 15, 1899 10 Undated Page 11 of 11