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To Hattie Norton, October 25, 1864

 Item — Box: 5805, Folder: 5

Scope and Contents note

From the Collection: A collection of letters to his wife, Hattie E. Norton, Box 89, Adrian, Michigan, written from Decatur, Stevenson, and Huntsville, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee. Describes his and his regiment's activities in holding Decatur during the summer and fall of 1864 and the evacuation of Decatur and Huntsville in late November, as General Hood's army moved north into Tennessee. There are no letters for the period from late December 1864 until May 1865.

Most of the letters are written from Decatur. Norton describes living conditions, the layout of camp, his quarters, and fortifications about Decatur. Includes news of his health (he may have suffered from malaria), rumors of Confederate troop movements, news of camp, including a raid on a sutler and complaints of late pay. Several times he explains that news of his regiment's activities in the papers at home is highly exaggerated.

The letters from May 1865 were written from Huntsville, where his regiment was engaged in rounding up stray Confederates and bushwhackers, taking paroles, and speculating on the regiment's mustering out.

Dates

  • October 1864-May 1865

Extent

From the Collection: 0.2 Linear Feet (35 items)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513