Davis Hosmer Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0540

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Davis Hosmer Papers primarily consists of correspondence written by him and letters he received from friends and family. In addition, there is correspondence between other Hosmer family members. The subjects of the letters convey the difficult realties that soldiers and their families faced during the war. There are often references of death, religion, and perceptions of the war, as well as discussions about everyday life in camp and at home. Additionally, this collection contains a diary Davis kept that recounts his daily actions during his service. This diary is not extensive in detailed content but does identify Davis’ actions each day in short summaries. All of the correspondence and diary is written in cursive English.

Dates

1862 - 1894
Majority of material found within 1862 - 1863

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement .

Biographical or Historical Information

Davis Nathan Hosmer was born on April 14, 1845, in Farmington, Massachusetts to Nathan and Rebecca Hosmer. He had four brothers and sisters: Francis, Samuel Haynes, Martha Ann, and Rebecca Jane. Working as a famer, Davis left his family in September 1862, to enlist in Company F of the 45th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. His regiment was deployed to New Bern, North Carolina, in the fall of 1862, and was engaged in several battles including the Battle of Kinston (December 12, 1862) and the Battle of White Hall (December 16, 1862). Tragically, Davis did not live to see the end of the War as he passed away in a New Bern hospital from typhoid fever on February 10, 1863. After his death, his body was shipped back home to his parents in Massachusetts.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 Box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Davis Nathan Hosmer (1845-1863) was a Union solider from Farmington, Massachusetts who served in the America Civil War from 1862 until his death in February 1863 from typhoid fever. This collection consists of approximately 60 pieces of correspondence from Davis to his family, as well as letters written to him from friends and family. The subjects of the letters convey the difficult realties that soldiers and their families faced during the war.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged into seven series that organize the letters by their origin and subject. Within each series, materials are positioned in chorological order.

Series 1- Correspondence from Davis Hosmer Series 2- Correspondence to Davis Hosmer from family Series 3- Correspondence to Davis Hosmer from friends Series 4- Correspondence related to the death of Davis Hosmer Series 5- Diary and Ledger of Davis Hosmer Series 6- Correspondence to Hosmer family Series 7- Miscellaneous Correspondence

Method of Acquisition

This material was purchased from a private seller using library donation funds.

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