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Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865 [Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry] [decimalized]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02596 Author/Creator: Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865 Place Written: Various Places Type: Header Record Date: November 1862-1865 Pagination: 14 letters, 11 envelopes Order a Copy

This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's thoughts on the Battle of Fredericksburg (11 December - 15 December, 1862) and his descriptive accounts of the war generals and their tactics. Further highlights include the touching letters to his children, and his genuine concern for the men that are sick in the hospital. Eleven of the letters have original postal covers.

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