Ambrose Doss Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0446

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 52 letters written by Ambrose Doss of Jefferson County, Alabama to his wife, Sarah Brake Doss, and others while he was in Company C of the 19th Alabama Regiment from the time of his enlistment as a sergeant in 1861 until his death on 1864 July 5 near Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia. The letters provide details of camp life with all its shortages in arms, ammunition and food. There is also a letter from Lt. J. W. Rouse, dated 1864 July 6, to Sarah telling her of Ambrose’s death and burial.

There are several miscellaneous documents pertaining to Sarah’s application “for relief, by widows of Confederate soldiers or sailors.” There is also a short biographical sketch of Doss compiled by Myra Y. Eartee in 1980 as well as a booklet titled “Jefferson Warriors: A History of Company C, 19th Alabama Regiment” compiled by John William Hanby in honor of the Company’s 1986 reunion. Finally, there is what appears to be an unrelated folder with photocopies of the Roll Call of Tarrants Battery (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) and a listing of their marches and engagements during the Civil War.

Dates

1861 - 1986
Majority of material found within 1861 - 1864

Creator

Doss, Ambrose (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Ambrose Doss was born on July 29, 1823 in either Kentucky or Alabama and married Sarah Brake in Jefferson County, Alabama on 1846 September 9. They settled in Kimberly, Jefferson County, Alabama and raised eight children.

Doss enlisted in the Confederate States Army at the outbreak of the war in 1861. He joined Company C, 19th Alabama Regiment and served as a sergeant until his death on 1864 July 5 during heavy fighting near Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia. Lt. J. W. Rouse, writing the following day – 1864 July 6, said in his letter to Sarah, telling her of Doss’ death, “A Cannon Shot it Struck him in the Right side Nearly Even With the Right Breast and passed Intirely through his Body and through his left Arm Killing him Instantly.”

Even though the battle was ongoing, his friends managed to bury Doss between two pine saplings. “But When I learned that he Was killed I Got leave from the Col and myself and James G. and John F Rogers and Geoge Eaton and C. hix Went Back and got the Body of our fallen Brother and Intered it With as much Decency as the Nature of the Case Would admit it Was Knot Done in as Nice a maner As We Would have perfered But fare better then is common with us Soldiers … A pine sapling grows at Both hed and foot of his grave on the Bark of the 1 growing at the head of the grave his Rank Name Co and Regt is cut.” (Rouse, 1864)

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (53 letters, 6 miscellaneous documents)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Collection contains letters written by Ambrose Doss of Jefferson County, Alabama, to his wife, Sarah Brake Doss while he was in Co. C of the 19th Alabama Regiment from the time of his enlistment in 1861 until his death on 1864 July 5 near Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia. There is also a letter from Lt. J. W. Rouse, dated 1864 July 6, to Sarah telling her of Ambrose’s death and burial. There are several miscellaneous documents including a short biographical sketch of Doss and a booklet titled “Jefferson Warriors: A History of Company C, 19th Alabama Regiment” written in honor of the Company’s 1986 reunion.