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Edward A. Acton papers
This small collection consists primarily of letters from Edward A. Acton to his wife Mary Woodnut Acton (who he called Mollie). Edward Acton was an officer with the 4th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and the 5th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War. The letters include detailed acc...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Collection: | Edward A. Acton Papers |
| Collection Number: | 1910 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects and Genres: | |
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| Physical Description: |
0.33 Linear feet 0.33 linear feet, 1 box (41 items) |
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| Summary: |
This small collection consists primarily of letters from Edward A. Acton to his wife Mary Woodnut Acton (who he called Mollie). Edward Acton was an officer with the 4th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and the 5th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War. The letters include detailed accounts of Acton's participation in the Peninsular campaign to capture Richmond, Virginia in 1862. The collection also contains four letters regarding Acton's death at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862.
The letters are remarkably detailed and provide insight into the life of an officer during the Civil War. Acton discusses the more mundane aspects of war, such as frequency of mail delivery, but also describes the horrible realities of war. Acton provides a vivid account of the aftermath of the First Battle of Bull Run. In addition, the detailed information on the recovery of his body adds to the interest and quality of documentation in this collection. Also included is a copy of the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography from January 1965, in which some of the letters were published. |