Albertson family letters, muster roll, and photograph

Descriptive Summary
Repository:	Georgia Historical Society
Creator:	Albertson family.
Title:	Albertson family letters, muster roll, and photograph
Dates:	1863-1865
Extent:	0.1 cubic feet (2 folders)
Identification:	MS 0002

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Biographical/Historical Note

Charles, James, Jacob, and H. Albertson were brothers and Union soldiers who served in Company H, 31st Iowa Volunteers during the Civil War. Their unit fought in Alabama and Georgia from 1863-1865.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of six letters and one muster roll of Company H, 31st Iowa Volunteers, as well as a copy of a photograph. The letters, written by Charles, James, Jacob and H. Albertson to their parents and family in Iowa, describe daily camp life, morals of soldiers, rations, prices, rice culture, military operations, and the outcome of a baseball game. The letter, dated January 4, 1865, mentions the Federal march through Georgia in December 1864, siege of Savannah, Georgia, and describes Federal forces and activities in occupied Savannah. The photograph depicts Charles Albertson in his uniform.

The folder containing the photograph is noted as "VM" (visual materials) in the collection inventory.

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Index Terms

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Administrative Information

Custodial History

Material was purchased from Schindler's Antique Shop, Charleston, South Carolina.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Albertson family letters, muster roll, and photograph, MS 2, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia.

Acquisition Information

Purchased, 1951.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Georgia Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Division of Library and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Georgia Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

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Digital Version(s)

View Online: Albertson family letters, muster roll, and photograph 1863-1865

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Container List

 

Item 1: Charlie Albertson, H. Albertson, and J. Albertson to their parents. Cherokee Station, Alabama, 1863 October 29 ( 3.0 p. )

Tells of attacks by rebels; mentions Oliver Welsh.

 

Item 2: Charlie Albertson, James Albertson, Jacob Albertson to brothers. Woodville, Alabama, 1864 April 28 ( 8.0 p. )

Advice to brothers; morals of soldiers; ball game between officers of companies; mentions friends.

 

Item 3: Charlie Albertson to mother. Near Georgia Heights, 1864 June 1 ( 4.0 p. )

15th corps has gone to relieve Hooker's corps; results of rebel attacks; rebel propaganda; rations. Mentions "Old" Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, Harvey Lamb, George Shields, John Cook, Uncle Charlie.

 

Item 4: Charlie Albertson to his brothers. In field near Savannah, Georgia, 1864 December 17 ( 4.0 p. )

Writes on captured paper; laying siege to Savannah; march through Georgia; rice culture; food; Army pay; size of force; could take Savannah by storm. Mentions Billy Dickerson, Uncle Charlie, "Old Abe" Lincoln, and friends.

 

Item 5: Charlie Albertson, James Albertson, Jacob, H. Albertson to their brothers. Savannah, Georgia, 1865 January 4 ( 2.0 p. )

Reviews of troops in Savannah; new line of fortifications around town; river cleared; New Year's celebration; rations and price of food; Pulaski monument; stores reopened. Mentions Gens. Woods, W.T. Sherman, Kilpatrick, O.O. Howard, John Sullivan, Gov. Stone. Damaged and very faded.

 

Item 6: Charlie Albertson to his mother, Jane Albertson, circa 1863-1865 ( 4.0 p. )

Part with salutations and date missing. Snow; patrol duty; advice on plucking chickens and planting crops; sleighing. Mentions members of family.

 

Item 7: Muster roll of Co. H, 31st Iowa Volunteers, circa 1863-1865 ( 2.0 p. )

In hand of Charlie Albertson, sent to his mother, Jane Albertson.

 

vm_folder

1

Photograph of Charlie Albertson in his Union uniform, circa 1863-1865