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Eseck G. Wilber U.S. Civil War letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0030
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

This collection of letters were written by Eseck G. Wilber to his parents and family during the Civil War years, 1862-1864. The letters describe army life, pitched battles, inlcuding Fredericksburg, the Second Battle of Bull Run, and Chancellorsville. Also included in the letters are comments or mention of superior officers and other dignitaries, including George B. McClellan, Stonewall Jackson, Joseph Hooker, George Meade, and Abraham Lincoln.

Dates

  • 1862 - 1864

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This material is open for research.

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from the Eseck G. Wilber Civil War letters, 1962-1864 must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Sketch

Eseck G. Wilber (1840-1864) joined Company K of the 120th New York State Volunteers on August 22, 1862, leaving his father (William S. Wilber), mother (Clarissa) and two siblings (Fremont and Julia) in Cairo, New York. His military service would take him to Fredericksburg, the Second Battle of Bull Run and Gettysburg. Eseck was captured on October 10, 1863 and his letters dated January 24 and January 27 indicate he was held at the Belle Isle Confederate prison in Virginia. Belle Isle, located in the James River, was intended to hold 3,000 but would grow to more than twice that number by 1863. Prisoners were given tents to sleep in; a hospital for prisoners and an iron factory were located on the island, but no barracks were ever built for the prisoners. The enlisted men who survivied Belle Isle were later transferred to the Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia; officers were sent to Libby Prison. Wilber was transfered to Andersonville and died there on September 15, 1864. He is buried in the Andersonville Cemetary.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (3 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

A collection of letters written by Eseck G. Wilber, a Union soldier, to his family in Cairo, New York.

Provenance

Purchased in 1962,1963

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Eseck G. Wilber U.S. Civil War letters, 1862-1864
Status
Completed
Author
Lisa Moellering
Date
2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892