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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Henry T. Blanchard Papers Soldier, of Providence, R.I. Papers, 1861-1864 Size: 0.25 linear feet Catalog number: MSS 85 Processed by: Cindy Bendroth, September 1988 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
Henry T. Blanchard was born in 1841 to Elizabeth Jones (1815-1894) and Erastus Edward (1812-1894) Blanchard. The family originally came from Worcester, Massachusetts and then settled in Providence Rhode Island. On June 5, 1861 at the age of 21, Henry T. joined the union army, Company K 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. He served as Corporal and in May 1862 was promoted to Sergeant. Blanchard was killed on May 6, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia. Horace K. Blanchard, Henry's brother was born in 1844 and served in Company B 10th Rhode Island Infantry as a 90 day volunteer. He lived in Providence until his death in 1906.
Scope and content:
The letters were written to Erastus E. Blanchard, his father; Elizabeth Blanchard, his mother; Mary, his sister; and his brother, Horace K. Blanchard. There are also letters from Horace K. to the family while he served in Company B 10th Rhode Island Infantry as a 90 day volunteer. The letters date from September 1861 to April 1864 and are addressed to Providence, Rhode Island. Important subjects are: food rations, the defense of Washington, the camps around the District of Columbia near Fredericksburg, VA, Warrentown and Falmouth, VA and descriptions of the forts and guard duty. The letters and transcripts are arranged chronologically and in order of numbered letter summaries at the end of the inventory.
Provenance:
The Henry T. Blanchard papers were purchased from Beltrone and Company of Charlottesville, VA in June 1988. One additional photocopy, of a June 25 1861 letter at the Historical Society of Washington D.C., was donated by Robin Young in 2002.
Processing note:
Letters were removed from plastic coverings and placed in acid-free folders and box. Transcripts of the letters made by the Beltrone and Company were also placed in folders with the original letters.
Inventory:
Transcripts of letters and photocopies of muster rolls, June 5, 1861 - May 6, 1864
Transcripts of Horace K. Blanchard letters and photocopies of muster rolls, June 1 - July 19, 1862
September 1, 1861 - January 21, 1862 [letters 1-7]
March 12, 1862 - April 12, 1862 [letters 8-13]
July 11, 1862 - December 3, 1862 [letters 14-18]
December 15, 1862 - March 13, 1863 [letters 19-26]
May 22, 1863 - December 17, 1863 [letters 27-37]
December 26, 1863 - April 1864 [letters 38-50]
Horace K. Blanchard: June 1, 1862 - July 19, 1862
Subjects:
Blanchard, Elizabeth, 1815-1894
Blanchard, Erastus E.[dmund], 1812-1894
Blanchard, Horace K., 1844-1906
Blanchard, Mary E.[lizabeth]
2nd Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
10th Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865
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RIHS1822