Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865 [Collection of William Brunt, D company, 16th regiment, USCT, infantry] [decimalized]
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07006 Author/Creator: Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865 Place Written: Various Places Type: Header Record Date: June 1863 to August 1865 Pagination: 14 letters Order a Copy
Brunt was a passionate patriot and his letters are filled consistently with pro-Union and anti-slavery sentiments. He writes on a combination of subjects, including home life, reports on health of fellow soldiers, camp life and politics and battle. He discusses deserters and disloyal soldiers, strife between officers and misbehaving soldiers (of whom he greatly disapproves). Some notable letters mention particular battles or Civil War figures, Brunt's activities in recruiting and enlisting Union soldiers (particularly freed slaves), his role in educating them for several hours per day, his refusal of offers from slaveowners to buy back their freed slaves, the role of women during wartime, and also such unlikely topics as contemporary attitudes on divorce.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.