Mrs. E. H. Wright Letters from Union Generals

Collection

Identifier: MS 0111

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

The six Union Army generals’ letters, dated January 28th through March 12th 1864, and written in reply to requests from Mrs. E. H. Wright for photographs of themselves, are cordial and elegant (and sometimes humorous) in expression. All but one were written from Washington or the surrounding District of Columbia, with three written and signed by the generals themselves and three written by others on the generals’ behalf; four of the generals sent photographs but two expressed regrets that they had none to send.

Dates

Creation: 1864

Creator

Cullum, George W. (George Washington) (Person)

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Use Restictions

Permission to publish material from the Mrs. E. H. Wright Letters from Union Generals must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice Unversity.

Biographical Note

Nothing is known about Mrs. E. H. Wright, nor can a firm identity be established for an E. H. Wright to whom she might have been married (although two E. Wrights are cited on lists of Union officers who served during the Civil War). Since the Union Army’s cause had become more hopeful by early 1864, perhaps this spurred Mrs. Wright’s interest in obtaining mementos from military leaders who had helped in turning the course of the war.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (6 letters)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Six letters from Civil War generals of the Union Army in reply to Mrs. E. H. Wright’s request for their photographs; respondents include Generals J. J. Abercrombie, John Gross Barnard, Cyrus Bussey, George W. Cullum, William Hammond, and George Douglas Ramsay.