The generous impulses of all were awakened by the danger that threatened
June 28, 2024 1:01 PM Subscribe
Welcome to the website dedicated to preserving the Civil War history & record of the men of the 13th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer infantry. The site was launched June 2, 2008. Since that time over 60 pages of detailed history have been added. These pages include newspaper stories, soldiers letters, diaries, memoirs, photos, and post-war reminiscences.... Content warning for language, racism, and violence.
It cost a recruit $12.50 for the privilege of enlisting in the exclusive 4th Battallion of Rifles, but before considering the fee, the applicant needed to be approved by a vote from members of the Boston Militia group. In spite of the cost there were plenty of applicants & there was no problem filling each company to its full compliment of men. The four rifle companies of the Fourth Battallion, Companies A, B, C, & D, became the nucleus of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers (...) Many of these men chose to go directly to the seat of war as privates in the 13th rather than wait for a chance at an officer's commission with another organization.(...) "They are a damned insubordinate lot," said brigade commander General John J. Abercrombie when asked what kind of troops they were.
Amongst the material gathered here is this outstanding story attributed to (Union) Lieutenant Edward Rollins: Dr. Stringfellow's Slaves
It cost a recruit $12.50 for the privilege of enlisting in the exclusive 4th Battallion of Rifles, but before considering the fee, the applicant needed to be approved by a vote from members of the Boston Militia group. In spite of the cost there were plenty of applicants & there was no problem filling each company to its full compliment of men. The four rifle companies of the Fourth Battallion, Companies A, B, C, & D, became the nucleus of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers (...) Many of these men chose to go directly to the seat of war as privates in the 13th rather than wait for a chance at an officer's commission with another organization.(...) "They are a damned insubordinate lot," said brigade commander General John J. Abercrombie when asked what kind of troops they were.
Amongst the material gathered here is this outstanding story attributed to (Union) Lieutenant Edward Rollins: Dr. Stringfellow's Slaves
Thank you for posting this. Bit of a time sink here for this Civil War buff.
posted by charlesminus at 11:08 AM on June 29
posted by charlesminus at 11:08 AM on June 29
Somewhat related, there was the Civil War Ninth Ohio Regiment, all German immigrants with an English speaking commanding officer. One of the privates was Frederick Finnup, immigrating to the US when he was four years old, with his family.
He hand wrote an autobiography, on lined paper with phonetic spelling, minimal punctuation, and no paragraphs.
A large portion of the book is his Civil War experiences as a private, never wounded or sick.
It's been transcribed, edited to a readable format and annotated by Andrew Houghtaling.
The Story of My Life, the autobiography of Frederick Finnup
From the intro:
"His accounts of the mundane are the very thing that provides a unique perspective into one of the most famed German regiments in the Western Theater."
From Frederick's "Author's Note"
I have the idea that 30 or 40 years hence, some of my children would go to considerable trouble if they could only read something about their father and mother.
posted by jjj606 at 1:11 PM on June 29 [1 favorite]
He hand wrote an autobiography, on lined paper with phonetic spelling, minimal punctuation, and no paragraphs.
A large portion of the book is his Civil War experiences as a private, never wounded or sick.
It's been transcribed, edited to a readable format and annotated by Andrew Houghtaling.
The Story of My Life, the autobiography of Frederick Finnup
From the intro:
"His accounts of the mundane are the very thing that provides a unique perspective into one of the most famed German regiments in the Western Theater."
From Frederick's "Author's Note"
I have the idea that 30 or 40 years hence, some of my children would go to considerable trouble if they could only read something about their father and mother.
posted by jjj606 at 1:11 PM on June 29 [1 favorite]
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anyone unfamiliar/interested in more might also appreciate knowing of the 54th Massachusetts regiment [National Park Service]
posted by HearHere at 4:12 AM on June 29