The Civil War Collection consists of material acquired over many years from different sources. Coverage is of Lancaster County soldiers and of daily life in the county during the Civil War. The collection contains records of various military units, family correspondence, "Home Front" papers, Civil War era diaries, the Captain John R. Bricker/Dept. of Commissary papers, celebration and reunion materials, images, newspaper clippings, and general orders.
System of Arrangement
The collection is organized by category into ten series.
The oversized documents of Series A, C, F, and H are oversized and filed flat in Box 4.
Series A Military Units: Series A contains documents of military units, including muster rolls, enlistment papers, discharge certificates, assignment and promotion records, and papers of individual soldiers and officers.
Pennsylvania Volunteers
Pennsylvania Militia
Certificate of State Regiments
U.S. Regiments
Series B Civil War Families
Benjamin Reed Family
Soldier's Letters
Series C The Lancaster Home Front
The Bounty Funds
Pension Claims
Articles
Letters
Series D Lancaster Notables
Series E Civil War Era Diaries
Series F The Captain John R. Bricker/Dept. of PA Commissary Papers
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Civil War Collection (MG0018), Series #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the item level.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-18
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Much of the collection was cataloged prior to 1997. Added to database 23 March 2022.
Green and black Rock-A-Way carriage. Carriage is to be pulled by a 2-horse team. Green body with black accents. Four black leather roll-down windows, secured in rolled position by black leather straps with brass buckles. Interior has two bench seats; one facing
The design of Buchanan's carriage allows up to four passengers to ride inside and provides space for one or two drivers (outside). When the carriage doors are closed, a flap covers the steps to protect them from mud and dirt while traveling. When the door is opened, the flap retracts to reveal a clean step.
Provenance
James Buchanan
Sold by Buchanan's Estate in 1868
In 1908 owned by Richard P. McGrann of Lancaster, PA who had restored it in the 1880s.
McGrann gifted it to - Katherine K. Stewart, daugheter to Elise Foster Cassatt Stewart & William P. Stewart. Granddaughter to Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt and Alexander Johnston Cassatt.
The carriage was sold at the auction house of George F. Adams in 1963 to the James Buchanan Foundation.
1.) Collins, Herbert Ridgeway, 'Presidents on Wheels', Bonaza Books: New York, nd. 2.) The Museums at Stony Brook, 'The Carriage Collection', The Museums at Stony Brook: New York, 1986. 3.) Smith, Don. 'The Pecularities of the Presidents', Ohio. 4.) Edit
Height (ft)
9
Width (ft)
6
Depth (ft)
12
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-12-07
Object ID
W.1989.087.001
Notes
1970 Amos Lapp's Carriage Works, Intercourse, PA refinished original springs, wheels, chassis, and body panels. Fabric top and upholstery were replaced. Had been refinished and painted black c. 1885-1908.
Certification of military service for George W. Watson
Description
Certification of military service for George W. Watson as private in the 22nd Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry, Co. H, 1864-1865. Issued by the Department of Military Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1959.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Civil War Collection (MG0018), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish. There is no fee for publication.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-18
Other Number
MG-18, Series A, Folder 123
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 23 March 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
