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Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Official Record of Henry Flick, 457 E. Strawberry Street, Lancaster, Penna.
Object ID
MG0018_SerE_F009
Date Range
1925
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Official Record of Henry Flick, 457 E. Strawberry Street, Lancaster, Penna.
Description
Official Record of Henry Flick, 457 E. Strawberry Street, Lancaster, Penna., Company E, 30th Regiment, First Pennsylvania Reserve Vol., War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1864. Biographical information and first-hand accounts of enlistment, Seven Days’ Battle, Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Coal Harbor and Besada Church, and ending with poetry. Printed in 1925.
Enlistment Account
Seven Days' Battle
Bull Run
Antietam
Fredericksburg
Gettysburg
Rappahannock
Mine Run
Wilderness
Spottslvania, etc. [Spotsylvania]
Coal Harbor and Besada Church [Cold Harbor and Bethesda Church]
Poetry
Admin/Biographical History
Henry Flick was born in Lancaster on 6 September 1843 and baptized 4 November 1843 at St. James Episcopal Church.
Date Range
1925
Creation Date
1925
Creator
Flick, Henry, 1843-1833
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0008
People
Flick, Henry
Subjects
Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862
Autobiographies
Cold Harbor, Battle of, Va., 1864
Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862
Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863
Mine Run Campaign, Va., 1863
Poetry
Rappahannock Station, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1863
Seven Days’ Battles, Va., 1862
Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of, Va., 1864
Totopotomoy Creek, Battle of, Va., 1864
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 30th (1861-1864)
Wilderness, Battle of the, Va., 1864
Search Terms
Battle of Antietam
Autobiographies
Battle of Bethesda Church
Battle of Bull Run
Civil War
Battle of Cold Harbor
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Gettysburg
Memoirs
Mine Run Campaign
Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 30th (1861-1864)
Poetry
Battle of Rappahannock Station, 2nd
Seven Days’ Battles
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
United States Army
Battle of Wilderness
Extent
1 item, 36 pages to scan
Object Name
Memoir
Language
English
Parent Object ID
MG0018
Object ID
MG0018_SerE_F009
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
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.
Accession Number
2012.MG0018.E9
Other Numbers
MG-18
Other Number
MG-18, Series E, Folder 9
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Initially cataloged 2012. Added to database 29 October 2021.
Less detail
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Civil War Collection
Object ID
MG0018
Date Range
1859-1990
  1 document  
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Civil War Collection
Description
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
Series G Celebrations & Reunions
Series H Appendix
Articles, Photographic Prints, Blank Forms
Series I Printed General Orders
Series J Books
Date Range
1859-1990
Year Range From
1859
Year Range To
1990
Date of Accumulation
1859-1990
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
People
Clark, James
Fass, John
Flick, Henry
Harris, Samuel
Hess, Martin D., Mrs.
Watson, George W.
Subjects
Letters
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.
Search Terms
Autobiographies
Civil War
Discharge papers
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Memoirs
Muster rolls
Persons of color
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States Army
Extent
15 boxes, 212 folders, 11 books, 9 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0018
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Abraham H. Good Family Papers (MG0542)
Henry Seiger's Civil War Letters (MG0570)
Lewis Jones Family Papers (MG0541)
Robert Clark Morrison Family Papers (MG0543)
Springer Family Letters (MG0540)
William M. McClure Family Papers (MG0544)
William McCaskey Civil War Letters (MG0355)
Notes
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.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Certification of military service for George W. Watson
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F123
Date Range
1959
  2 documents  
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
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.
Date Range
1959
Creation Date
1959
Creator
Pennsylvania. Adjutant-General’s Office
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Biddle, Anthony Joseph Drexel, Jr.
Watson, George W.
Subjects
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
Search Terms
Civil War
Persons of color
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States Army
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan
Object Name
Certificate
Language
English
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F123
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
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.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter from James Clark to Mrs. Martin D. Hess
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F124_In01
Date Range
1864/03/08
  2 documents  
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter from James Clark to Mrs. Martin D. Hess
Description
Letter from James Clark to Mrs. Martin D. Hess, Lancaster, reporting that he is well, has had enough of the war, and that they would like letters from home. "…take me out of this damd dirty hole for I cannot stand it verry long…" With envelope.
Date Range
1864/03/08
Creation Date
8 March 1864
Creator
Clark, James
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Clark, James
Hess, Martin D., Mrs.
Subjects
Letters
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Persons of color
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States Army
Extent
2 items, 4 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F124_In01
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Letter to Samuel Harris (MG0018_SerA_F124_In02)
Notes
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).
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 only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-18
Other Number
MG-18, Series A, Folder 124, Insert 1
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
One of two letters discovered in 1988 in the collections of the Lancaster History with Justice of the Peace records from 1873. 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.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter to Samuel Harris
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F124_In02
Date Range
1865/03/10
  2 documents  
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter to Samuel Harris
Description
Letter to Samuel Harris reporting that the writer has been unwell since he joined the army, they are with Gen. Sherman and about to take Richmond, and he would like paper and stamps, and word from home. "…we are goin to take Richmon and Army men will fall…" Sent in the care of George [Steinhauser] to Samuel Harris, hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With envelope.
Date Range
1865/03/10
Creation Date
10 March 1865
Creator
Unknown
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Harris, Samuel
Steinhauser, George
Subjects
Letters
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Persons of color
Soldiers
Soldiers, Black
United States Army
Extent
2 items, 6 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Object ID
MG0018_SerA_F124_In02
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Letter from James Clark to Mrs. Martin D. Hess (MG0018_SerA_F124_In01)
Notes
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 only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-18
Other Number
MG-18, Series A, Folder 124, Insert 2
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
One of two letters discovered in 1988 in the collections of the Lancaster History with Justice of the Peace records from 1873. Added to database 24 March 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter from John Fass to friend
Object ID
MG0018_SerB_F003
Date Range
1865/05/24
  2 documents  
Collection
Civil War Collection
Title
Letter from John Fass to friend
Description
Letter from John Fass to friend. Fass reported for duty in Lancaster in March 1865 and his unit moved to Philadelphia, Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, Charlestown, Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, Stevenson Station, and Summit Point. He mentions that Richmond was taken. He describes the natural resources so prevalent in Virginia, which is not as developed as Lancaster County. Compares the slave quarters he has seen in Virginia to hog pens in Pennsylvania.
Date Range
1865/05/24
Creation Date
24 May 1865
Creator
Fass, John
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Fass, John
Subjects
Letters
Slavery
Soldiers
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Persons of color
Soldiers
United States Army
Extent
1 item, 4 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Object ID
MG0018_SerB_F003
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
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 only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2004.MG0018.B3
Other Numbers
MG-18
Other Number
MG-18, Series B, Folder 3
Classification
MG0018
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 24 March 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Object ID
MG0828
Date Range
1839-1932
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers is a collection of original correspondence, official documents, and ephemera. Many of the papers were created by or directed to Thomas Welsh between approximately 1843 and his death in 1863. They provide glimpses into his youth, his experiences in the Mexican War, his life in Columbia between the wars, and his rise in rank to Brigadier General during the Civil War.
The collection contains correspondence with his wife and family from 1861-1863. There are also official correspondence and documents related to Welsh's military service, autobiographical pieces, correspondence following his death, obituaries, and family papers into the early twentieth century. Other items in the collection include genealogy pages from the family bible, photographic images of Thomas Welsh and family members, two scrapbooks, newspaper issues and newspaper clippings, written notes from recollections of one of Welsh's daughter, and a biographical sketch of Welsh written by his son.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1839-1932
Year Range From
1839
Year Range To
1932
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Welsh, Thomas
Welsh, Annie Eunice Young
Welsh, Blanton Charles
Welsh, Effie
Welsh, Lilian
Welsh, Mary Young "Mazie"
Buchanan, James
Subjects
Letters
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Military orders
Military promotions
Personal correspondence
Political campaigns
Presidents--Election
Speeches, addresses, etc.
United States. Army--Military life
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Search Terms
Civil War
Correspondence, Personal
Letters
Mexican War
Military life
Military orders
Military promotions
Political campaigns
Presidential elections
Speeches
United States Army
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Fair to good
Condition Date
2020-12-18
Condition Notes
Items are in fair to good condition.
Object ID
MG0828
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Almost all of the papers have been passed down through successive generations of Welsh's descendants, from Thomas Welsh's wife and children to his granddaughter, Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin, to her daughter Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. After Nancy Townsend's death, her son Charles Townsend passed them on to his cousin, Richard Wiggin (grandson of Emilie Benson Wiggin) in 2015.
A few papers passed out of the family's possession and found their way into other collections. Richard Abel of Columbia, PA began collecting Welsh papers and artifacts some years ago, and subsequently transferred this collection of Welsh materials to Richard Wiggin in 2012.
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Letter from Thomas Welsh to daughter
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F02
Date Range
1861/07/06
  1 document     2 images  
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Letter from Thomas Welsh to daughter
Description
Handwritten letter from Thomas Welsh to "My Dear Little Daughter." Letter describes camp life and includes some information about the arrival of his unit in Martinsburg, Virginia. Note: Amos Mullen served with Thomas Welsh as 3rd Sergeant in the 2nd Pa. Reg., Co. F.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
Date Range
1861/07/06
Creation Date
1861/07/06
Creator
Welsh, Thomas, 1824-1863
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Hall, Henry
Hall, Mrs.
Mullen, Amos
Mullen, Mary
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
Letters
Personal correspondence
United States. Army
Military life
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Search Terms
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
United States Army
Military life
Civil War
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Condition Notes
Fair to good; fading ink; discoloration on the backside along the folds.
Parent Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F02
Notes
Added to PP 12/23/2020 by HST
Provenance: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
TW-D-61-02
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Letter from Thomas Welsh to Edwin S. Young
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F06
Date Range
1861/12/18
  1 document     4 images  
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Letter from Thomas Welsh to Edwin S. Young
Description
Handwritten letter from Thomas Welsh to his brother-in-law, Edwin S. Young. From Headquarters, Otter Island, South Carolina. Welsh expresses his hope that the "rebellion" will soon be over; discusses his deployment to Otter Island, his activity to defend the outpost, camp food, Christmas plans, interactions with people of color and nephew Howard Vache's adaptation to life as a soldier.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men. See MG0828 for more biographical information.
Date Range
1861/12/18
Creation Date
1861/12/18
Creator
Welsh, Thomas, 1824-1863
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Beaver, James Addams
Sherman, William Tecumseh
Vache, Howard
Welsh, Thomas
Young, Edwin S.
Subjects
Letters
Personal correspondence
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Port Royal (S.C.)
Beaufort (S.C.)
Charleston (S.C.)
Ashepoo River (S.C.)
Edisto River (S.C.)
Saint Helena Sound (S.C.)
Christmas
United States. Army--Military life
Search Terms
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
Civil War
Port Royal, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Fenwick Island, South Carolina
Bear Island, South Carolina
Ashepoo River, South Carolina
South Edisto River, South Carolina
Edisto River, South Carolina
Saint Helena Sound, South Carolina
Christmas
Persons of color
United States Army
Military life
Extent
1 item, 4 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Condition
Poor
Condition Date
2020-12-23
Condition Notes
Mostly good; slight tearing along the folds; discoloration on the backside of page 4. Note: Pages 1 and 2 are different paper size than pages 3 and 4.
Parent Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F06
Notes
Added to PP 12/23/2020 by HST
Provenance: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
TW-D-61-06
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Visitor pass for Camp Curtin signed by Thomas Welsh
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F14
Date Range
1861/08/22
  1 document     1 image  
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
Visitor pass for Camp Curtin signed by Thomas Welsh
Description
Printed permit for Camp Curtin signed by Thomas Welsh, Colonel, commanding officer. Permit states "Pass Bearer In And Out of Camp" and includes date. Note: Most likely used either by Annie or by Samuel Wright, editor of the Columbia Spy. Camp Curtin was a major Union Army training camp in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania during the American Civil War.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men. See MG0828 for more biographical information.
Date Range
1861/08/22
Creation Date
1861/08/22
Creator
Welsh, Thomas, 1824-1863
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army
Camp Curtin (Pa.)
Search Terms
Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania
Civil War
United States Army
Visitor passes
Extent
1 item, 1 page to scan
Object Name
Pass
Language
English
Condition
Good
Condition Notes
Good
Parent Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F14
Notes
Added to PP 12/26/2020 by HST
Provenance: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
TW-D-61-14
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Images
Documents
Less detail

44 records – page 1 of 5.