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UNION SOLDIER, ELLIS HAMILTON, WRITES HOME TO FAMILY IN CAMDEN, NJ
| Ellis Hamilton,
of Camden New Jersey, served in the 15th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
He entered in 1862, was made a Captain in November 1863, and died on May 16, 1864 as a
result of a gun shot while fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness. Ellis Hamilton
became Captain at the young age of seventeen. He was nineteen years and seven months
when he died. During his service in the Union Army, he wrote many letters home.
These letters are primary source documents that include descriptions of army life, battles
and their horrors, perceptions of Stonewall Jackson, and what it means to be a moral young
man.
|
 Photograph Source: Rutgers
University Special Collections and University Archives. |
|
ORIGINAL COPIES OF LETTERS |
TRANSCRIBED VERSIONS OF LETTERS FOR EASIER READING |
SYNOPSIS OF LETTER |
| Ellis writes to his grandmother and explains his daily jobs and views of the "old villain" Stonewall Jackson. | ||
| December 14, 1862 | December 14, 1862 | Ellis writes to his father and depicts the horrors of a skirmish near Fredericksburg, Virginia. |
| July 9, 1863 | July 9, 1863 | Ellis writes to his mother and graphically describes his views of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pickett's Charge, and battle carnage. |
| August 22, 1863 | August 22, 1863 | Ellis writes to his Aunt. He describes his responsibilities as a Captain and explores what it means to be a moral young man. |
| May 13, 1864 | May 13, 1864 | Ellis writes his last letter home to his father. His letter reassures his father of his return home. |
| Aunt Fanny's Letter 5/13/64 | Aunt Fanny's Letter 5/13/64 | Ellis Hamilton's Aunt Fanny writes a detailed account of Ellis' last feelings, hopes, and words. |
