Civil War Letter ("Sister Nellie"), 1863
Scope and Contents
A letter written by a woman calling herself “Sister Nellie” (or possibly Nella) to her mother and sister, detailing what appears to be her experience during the American Civil War. She writes from Edgartown, Massachusetts, and the contents are largely personal, relaying news of men who are involved in the fighting and asking after others waiting to be drafted. There is also a lengthy anecdote about a visiting company of soldiers who arrived with a band, much to the delight of the local school children: “They had a dinner out under the trees consisting of chowder. The soldiers looked real pretty after seeing so many dressed in blue…They went away about half past five and as they marched down to the boat they played ‘Coming through the rie’ and when they went off ‘The girl I left behind me’. I thought it quite appropriate.” Edgartown does not appear to be Nellie’s usual home – she refers to “coming home” on one occasion – but her role in the war is unclear. It is possible she was a ladies’ aid society volunteer, a nurse, or even a nun. Undated.
Dates
- 1863
Conditions Governing Access
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Extent
From the Collection: 30 Cubic Feet (68 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Latin
From the Collection: French
From the Collection: Italian
From the Collection: Welsh
From the Collection: Danish
From the Collection: Swedish
From the Collection: Spanish
From the Collection: German
From the Collection: Norwegian
From the Collection: Persian
From the Collection: Japanese
From the Collection: Russian
From the Collection: Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
Creator
- From the Collection: Scheetz, Nicholas B., 1952-2016 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu