Scope and Contents From the Collection: Correspondence, 1861-1864, of William P. Allcot while he was serving with the 62nd New York Infantry Regiment. Includes letters from Allcot from various camps around Washington, D. C. and in Virginia, ending with his stay in Island Hospital, New York in 1861-62; those from Allcot while he was serving at camps and on battlefields in Virginia and Maryland, 1862-1864; and those from Allcot while he was a patient at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C., 1864. Their contents describe conditions in...

Scope and Contents Received a letter from his brother Thomas; a friend of his brother John informed him that John had become a major; Phebe [his sister] now lives with his parents; his unit [62nd New York Infantry Volunteers] is about to march; his determination that the war should be won; urges the family to tell Phebe to answer his letter; family must not believe that John is a provost marshall until they have heard from him; wrote his brother Thomas, telling him that his father thanked him for the kind...

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Describes the battle around Fredericksburg [VA.], involving the crossing of the [Rappahannock] River by the [Left Grand Division] under General [William Buel] Franklin, and the subsequent engagement; Confederate and Union artillery dueling; urges his father to use the money he sent him for his own benefit; the difficulty of driving out the Confederates ensconced behind their breastworks; expresses love for the family and hopes they will write him. 3 pages. Autographed letter signed.

Scope and Contents Ackowledges receipt of letter and papers from his parents; the Army of the Potomac is largely inactive; his father has difficulty drawing money [out of his bank] without the signature of Allcot's brother John; the victory of General [William Starke] Rosecrans at [Stones River] and how it was good for morale; wishes he were out of the war; his appointment to sergeant; acknowledges receipt of a letter from his brother Thomas, and the sending of a letter to his brother Edmond. 3 pages....

Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of letters from his parents and siblings; blames the people of the North for being divided over the issue of the war; the rainy conditions at camp; his [VI] Corps' battle with the elements; the relief of Generals [William Buel] Franklin, [Ambrose Everett] Burnside, and [Edwine Vose] Sumner from command, and the assumption of command of the Army of the Potomac by General [Joseph] Hooker; complains about the relief of General [George Brinton] McClellan as [commander of the...

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Hopes for his brother's good health; the bad weather; the reinstatement and promotion of Colonel [J. Lafayette Riker] as brigade [3rd] commander; morale is high; sends regards to the family; expresses concern for the fate of his brother John; believes in the Union and decries those who call for peace; morale high in the 10th Regiment, which his friend Frank Allen belongs to; officers must carry their own tents; Edmond should not send him newspapers. 4 pages. Autographed letter signed.

Scope and Contents Some 70 men of the [62nd] Regiment wounded or killed charging [at Fredericksburg]; his wound only minor because of the protection of his haversack; his [3rd] Division defeated with heavy losses; the possibility of having to fight all the way to Washington; sleeplessness and rain prevail. [Letter written on letterhead showing a belt fastened to form a circle, surrounding the intertwined letters "USA" and emblazoned with the words "United We Stand Divided We Fall."] 3 pages. Autographed letter...

Scope and Contents Describes the march of the [3rd Regiment] north from Centersville [Centerville, VA.] to the vicinity of Gettiesburg [Gettysburg, PA.]; General [John Fulton] Reynolds killed at Gettiesburg [Gettysburg, PA.]; his [3rd] division ordered into the battle; much use of bayonet; Confederates beaten, but regiment ordered not to pursue; next day [July 3] Confederates charged and were repulsed; his division charged, overrunning the position of the 15th Georgia [Regiment]; discusses the search for...

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States that for 150 miles there has been incessant marching and fighting; his [62nd] regiment skirmished with the Confederates May 30; enemy cavalry chased; a black man says people in the vicinity are preparing to leave; foraging necessary due to an absence of rations; Allcot will be home by July 4; he wishes his family well. 3 pages. Autographed signed letter.

Scope and Contents Was slightly wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg; going to the rear for treatment; his [62nd] suffered 130 casualties; his [6th] Corps driven back from the heights of Fredericksburg by the Confederates; two companies of his regiment taken prisoner and 160 men killed, wounded, or prisoners; General [Joseph] Hooker's plan of attack should have worked; conscription should be enforced; wishes the family well, and his parents should write him concerning money he sent; rheumatism and his wound...