Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

 

Andrew Powell

 

LH-335

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

 

Introduction

 

The Andrew Powell Civil War correspondence was donated to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in 2004 by Powell’s descendants, Kathleen R. Anderson and William Keifling.

 

Biographical Sketch

 

Andrew, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Powell, was born November 21, 1842.  When he was nineteen, he left the family farm in Hopewell Township of Seneca County, and enlisted in Captain Frederick Shawhan’s Company D of the 123rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 22, 1862.  An intelligent young man, with a strong sense of duty, Andrew served as a private in the ranks until November 1, 1864, when he was promoted to corporal.  He served faithfully with his regiment, participating in many small skirmishes and several full-scale battles in Virginia.  These battles included the battle of Winchester, New Market, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, and Petersburg.

 

On June 28, 1865, Andrew mustered out of the service and returned to Seneca County to take over the family farm.  He married Frances C. Creeger on his 25th birthday, November 21, 1867.  To them were born three children: Henry Schyler, Lycurgus Justice, and Bertha Estella, with only Henry and Bertha surviving childhood. 

 

In 1874 he was appointed as a trustee of the United Brethren Otterbein Chapel near Bascom, and served as its minister in 1876.  He remained an active member of his church and community until his death on October 19, 1905.  Andrew and Frances lie today in the Sand Ridge Cemetery near Bascom in Seneca County, Ohio.

 

Scope and Content

 

During the course of his two years and ten months of service during the Civil War, Andrew wrote 167 letters home to his family.  His first letter was written on September 12, 1862 at Camp Monroeville, where the regiment organized, and his last letter was written near Richmond, Virginia on June 17, 1865.  Most of the letters were written to his brother, Israel Powell.

 

The Powell letters are an unusually rare assemblage in several respects.  The most apparent is the number of letters that have survived.  Andrew made a point of keeping his family abreast of his activities and whereabouts by writing home every few days.  He wrote about the mundane, daily chores that were required of every soldier, as well as the movements the regiment made, the fights they participated in, and the near misses he encountered.  He also wrote of his feelings and opinions concerning the people around him and the events of the day.  Perhaps because the family realized the historical significance of Andrew’s participation in the Civil War, the letters were carefully preserved and are still quite legible, more than 140 years after they were written. 

 

The second unusual aspect of the Powell letters is the detail that can be found there.  His letters are well written, quite lengthy, and very descriptive of what is happening around him.  Of special interest are the first seven letters which provide an extremely rare description of Camp Monroeville and the day-to-day events of a new recruit adjusting to life in the military.  Finding aid courtesy of Matthew Burr.

 

Inventory

 

Ac. 5628

½ linear ft.

 

Box 1

Folder 1

 

1. Sept. 12, 1862, Camp Monroeville, Ohio

2. Sept. 13, 1862 [date on envelope]

3. Sept. 13, 1862 [“Dear Sir”?]

4. Sept. 18, 1862 [date on envelope]

5. Sept. 19, 1862

6. Sept. 20, 1862 [“My dear friends”]

7. Oct. 2, 1862 [“Dear friends”]

8. Oct. 7, 1862

9. Oct. 15, 1862 [“Dear father”]

10. Oct. 19, 1862, Camp near Parkersburg, Va. [My dear friends]

 

Folder 2

 

11. Oct. 20, 1862, Camp near Clarkesburg, Va. [“Dear friends”]

12. Oct. 21, 1862, Clarkesburg, Va.

13. Oct. 26, 1862, Camp near Clarksburg, Va. [“Dear Sir”]

14. Oct. 31, 1862 [date on envelope], Clarksburgh, Va.

15. Oct. 29, 1862, Camp near Buchannon, Va. [“Affectionate friends”]

16. Nov. 1, 1862 [date on envelope?], Clarksburgh, Va.

17. Oct. 31, 1862, Camp near Buckhannon, Va.

18. Nov. 1, 1862

19. Nov. 1, 1862, Clarksburg, Va.

20. Nov. 4, 1862, Camp near Beverly, Va. [“Dear father”]

21. Nov. 4, 1862 [date on envelope], [“To S. Powell”]

 

Folder 3

 

22. Nov. 15, 1862, Camp Beverly, Va.

23. Nov. 23, 1862, Camp Jessie, Virginia, pg. 1-4

24. Continuation of letter #23, pg. 5-8

25. Continuation of letters #23 & 24, pg. 8-12, dated Nov. 26, 1862

26. Nov. 25, 1862 [date on envelope], New Creek Station, Va.

27. Dec. 1, 1862, Camp Jessie, Va.

28. Dec. 6, 1862 [date on envelope]

29. Dec. 8, 1862, Camp Jessie, Va. [“Affectionate Father”]

30. Dec. 11, 1862, Camp Jessie, Va.

31. Dec 15, 1862, Camp at Burlington, Va.

 

Folder 4

 

32. Dec. 15, 1862, Camp at Petersburg, Hardy Co. Va.

33. Dec. 24, 1862

34. Dec. 26, 1862, Camp near Petersburg, Va.

35. Dec. 27, 1862, [“Dear Friends”]

36. Dec. 27, 1862

37. Jan. 6, 1863, Camp Jessie, Va. [“My Dear Friends one and all”]

38. Jan. 9, 1863, Camp at Moorefield, Hardy Co, Va.

39. Jan 12, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

40. Jan 20, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va. [“Dear Friends”]

41. Jan. 26, 1863, Camp near Romney, Va.

42. Feb. 3, 1863 [date on envelope], near Grafton, Va.

 

Folder 5

 

43. Jan. 30, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

44. Feb. 3, 1863, Camp Romney, Va.

45. Feb. 14, 1863, [date on envelope]

46. Feb. 9, 1863, Camp at Romey, Va. [spells diff. in this letter]

47. ??? may be continuation of #46?

48. Feb. 21, 1863 [date on envelope], newspaper article “Talks about War”

49. Feb. 13, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

50. Feb. 17, 1863, Camp Romney, Va.

51. Feb. 28, 1863 [date on envelope]

52. Feb. 23, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

53. ?? no date, no location, no greeting??

54. ?? no date, no location

55. March 6, 1863 [date on envelope], Drawing/sketch of how a camp is set up

 

Folder 6

 

56. March 2, 1863, Camp at Romney

57. ?? No date, no location. Could be continuation of #56?

58. March 3, 1863

59. March 6, 1863

60. no date, no location [“Israel, Dear Bro.”]

61. March 14, 1863 [date on envelope]

62. March 9, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

63. ?? no date, no location. Continuation of # 62??

64. ?? March 11, 1863, Camp at Romney. Continuation of #62 & 63??

65. March 11, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va. [“Miss Creeger”]

 

Folder 7

 

66. March 13, 1863, Camp at Romney, Va.

67. March 21, 1863 [date on envelope]

68. March 18, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va. [“Dear Friends”]

69. March 27, 1863 [date on envelope]

70. March 20, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va.

71. March 22, 1863 [date on envelope], Camp near Winchester, Va.

72. March 24, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va.

73. April 1, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va.

74. ?? no date, no location, no greeting ??

75. April 2, 1863

 

Folder 8

 

76. April 7, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va.

77. ?? no date, no location, no greeting ??

78. April 9, 1863 [date on envelope]

79. April 14, 1863, Camp near Winchester, Va.

80. April 20, 1863, Camp at Winchester, Va.

81. April 21, 1863 [date on envelope], Winchester, Va

82. April 24, 1863, Camp at Winchester, Va.

83. April 25, 1863 [date on envelope], Winchester, Va.

84. May 4, 1863, Camp at Winchester, Va.

85. May 5, 1863, Winchester, Va.

 

Folder 9

86. May 13, 1863

87. May 12, 1863, City of Winchester, Va. [“Dear Friends”]

88. May 18, 1863, Winchester, Va.

89. May 22, 1863, Winchester, Va.

90. May 23, 1863

91. May 25, 1863, City of Winchester, Va.

92. May 25, 1863, Winchester, Va.

93. May 26, 1863, 1863, Winchester, Va.

94. June 19, 1863, Bloody Run, Bedford Co. Pa [“My Dear Friends”]

95. June 8, 1863, Winchester, Va.

96. June 9, 1863, Winchester, Va.

 

Folder 10

 

97. June 22, 1863, Bloody Run, Bedford, Co. PA

98. June 23, 1863 [date on envelope], Bloody Run, Pa.

99. June 29, 1863, Bloody Run, Pa.

100. no date, continuation of #99?

101. July 8, 1863, Loudon, Franklin Co. Pa.

102. July 15, 1863, Hagerstown, Maryland

103. July 18, 1863, Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland

104. July __, 1863, Loudon, PA

105. July 22, 1863, Sharpsburg, Md.

106. July 27, 1863, Sharpsburg, Md. [“Affectionate Father”]

107. July 27, 1863 [date on envelope] Sharpsburg, Md.

 

Folder 11

 

108. Aug. 3, 1863, Sharpsburg, Md.

109. Aug. 7, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

110. [“National Thanksgiving day”], Martinsburg, Va [“Dear Mother”]

111. Aug. 11, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

112. Aug. 11, 1863 [date on envelope]. Martinsburg, Va.

113. Aug. 15, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

114. no date, seems to be a “P.S.” for #113

115. Aug. 14, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

116, Aug. 20, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

117. Aug. 21, 1863

118. Aug. 26, 1863 [date on envelope], Martinsburg, Va.

 

Folder 12

 

119. Aug. 31, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

120. Sept. 4, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

121. Sept. 9, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

122. Sept. 17, 1863, Martinsburg, Va. [written for Andrew by Albert Rummell while Andrew is sick]

123. Sept. 19, 1863, Martinsburg, Va. [written by A. Rummell]

124. Sept 29, 1863, Martinsburg, Va. [written by A. Rummell]

125. Oct. 6, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

126. Oct. 9, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

127. Oct. 12, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

128. Oct. 16, 1863, Clarysville Hospital, Md.

 

Folder 13

 

129. Oct. 21, 1863, U.S. General Hospital, Clarysville, Md.

130. Oct. 26, 1863, U.S. General Hospital, Clarysville, Md.

131. Oct. 28, 1863, U.S. General Hospital, Clarysville, Md.

132. no date, no location, [“My Dear Mother”]

133. Nov. 3, 1863, U.S. General Hospital, Clarysville, Md.

134. Nov. 9, 1863, [“Kind Father”]

135. Nov. 9, 1863, [“Dear Mother”]

136. Nov. 9, 1863, U.S. General Hospital, Clarysville, Md.

137. Nov. 18, 1863, Sleepy Creek Station, Va.

138. Nov. 23, 1863, Martinsburg, Va.

 

Box 2

Folder 1

 

139. Nov. 30, 1863, Camp near Martinsburg, Va. [“Dear Father”]

140. Dec. 7, 1863, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

141. Dec. 15, 1863, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

142. Dec. 18, 1863, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

143. Dec. 16, 1863

144. Dec. 28, 1863, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

145. Jan. 4, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

146. Jan. 8, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

147. Jan. 18, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

148. Monday night, 18th, 1864

149. Tuesday morning, 19th, 1864

 

Folder 2

 

150. Jan. 22, 1863, [think he wrote wrong year & should be 1864]

151. Jan. 24, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

152. Jan. __, 1864, Martinsburg, Va. [information on envelope]

153. Feb. 3, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

154. Feb. 6, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

155. Feb. 15, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

156. Feb. 18, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, Va.

157. Feb. 23, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

158. Feb. 29, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

159. March 9, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

 

Folder 3

 

160. March 14, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

161. March 15, 1864, Martinsburg, W.Va. [information on envelope]

162. March 22, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

163, Evening 22, 1864

164. March 26, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

165. March 29, 1864, Camp 123 Regt. OVI, Martinsburg, Va.

166. March 28, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

167. Wednesday morn 30th, 1864

168. April 6, 1864, Sandy Hook Station, Md.

169. April 12, 1864, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

170. April 19, 1864, Camp near Martinsburg, W.Va.

 

Folder 4

 

171. April 25, 1864, On Picket

172. April 28, 1864, Camp at Martinsburg, Va.

173. April 30, 1864, Camp at Bunker Hill, Va.

174. May 2, 1864, Camp near Winchester, Va.

175. May 10, 1864, Camp near Cedar Creek, Va.

176. May 17, 1864, Martinsburg, W. Va. [information from envelope]

177. May 18, 1864, Camp near Cedar Creek, Va. [“Dear Friends at home”]

178. no date, no location. Probably continuation of # 177

179. no date, no location. Probably continuation of #177 & 178

180. May 23, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, Va.

 

Folder 5

 

181. May 27, 1864, Camp near Woodstock, Va.

182. June 8, 1864, Staunton, Va.  May 20, 1864, Tiffin, Oh, [To “Affectionate brother Andrew from “I. Powell”]  letters on same paper; one front and one back

183. June 16, 1864 [date on envelope] part of letter from Lizzie Kirkwood on back

184. June 12, 1864, Camp near Lexington, Va.

185. July 1, 1864, Camp at Gaulley Bridge, W.Va.

186. July 12, 1864, Camp at Martinsburg, W.Va.

187. no date, no location, *Continuation of #186

188. July __, 1864

189. Aug. 2, 1864, Camp near Wolfsville, Frederick Co. Md.

190. Aug. 4, 1864, Wolfsville, Md. [on envelope]

 

Folder 6

191. Aug. 8, 1864, Camp near Sandy Hook, Md.

192. Aug. 20, 1864, Camp near Berryville, Clarke Co. Va.

193. Aug. 23, 1864, In Battle Line near Harpers Ferry, Va.

194. Aug. 30, 1864, Camp near Charlestown, Va.

195. Aug. 31, 1864

196. Aug 31, 1864, Camp near Charlestown (?), Va.

197. Sept. 7, 1864, On Picket near Berryville, Va.

198. Sept. 13, 1864

199. no date, no location ??

200. Sept. 13, 1864 [date on envelope] *Could be continuation of #199

 

Folder 7

 

201. Sept. 24, 1864, Camp on Fishers Hill, Va.

202. Sept. 26, 1864, Camp at Harrisonburg, Va.

203. Oct. 5, 1864, Camp near Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co, Va.

204. Oct. 10, 1864, Fishers Hill, Va.

205. Oct. 18, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, Va.

206. Oct. 21, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, Va.

207. Oct. 28, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, [“Dear Father”]

208. no date, *continuation of #207

209. Nov. 5, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, Va.

210. Presidential Election Day, 1864, Camp at Cedar Creek, Va.

211. Nov. 11, 1864, Camp near Keartown, Va.

 

Folder 8

 

212. Nov. 17, 1864, Camp near Kern Town, Va.

213. Nov. 23, 1864, Camp on Opequan Creek, Va.

214. Dec. 1, 1864, Camp at Opequin Creek, Va.

215. Dec. 2, 1864

216. Dec.14, 1864, Opequan Crossing, Va.

217. Dec. 14, 1864 [date on envelope]

218. Dec. 21, 1864, On board Steamer Key Port, Point Lookout, Md.

219. Jan. 2, 1865,Camp on New Market Heights, Va.

220. Jan. 6, 1865 [date on envelope] *Seems to be a continuation of #219

221. Jan. 9, 1865, Camp near James River East, Va.

222. Jan. 13, 1865 [date on envelope] *Seems to be a continuation of #221

 

Folder 9

 

223. Jan. 13, 1865, Camp near James River, Va.

224. Jan. 20, 1865, Camp near James River, Va.

225. Jan 23, 1865, Camp near James River, Va.

226. Feb. 1, 1865, Camp Holley, on New Market Heights, near James River, Va.

227. Feb. 8, 1865, Camp Holley, Va.

228. Feb. 11, 1865 [date on envelope]

229. Feb. 16, 1865, Camp Holley, near James River, Va.

230. Feb. 19, 1865 [date on envelope] *Could be continuation of #299

231. Feb. 24, 1865, Camp Holley, Va.

232. March 2, 1865 [date on envelope] *Seems to be continuation of #231

 

Folder 10

 

233. Feb. 27, 1865,  Camp Holley, Va.

234. no date, no location. Probably continuation of #233

235. Feb. 15 (? Or 19), Savannah, Ga.  Letter from Samuel Powell to Andrew Powell [“Dear Brother”]

236. Feb. 24, 1865

237. March 6, 1865, Camp Holley near James River, Va.

238. March 7, 1865

239. March 15, 1865, Camp near James River, Va.

240. March 21, 1865, Camp at Head Quarters of 2nd Div. 24th A. C. Army of the James, Va.

241. March 24, 1865, Camp at Head Quartes of 2nd Div. 24th Army Corps, Army of the James, Va.

242. March 27, 1865, Deep Bottom Landing, Va.

 

Folder 11

 

243. March 29, 1865, Camp near Hatcher’s Run, Va.

244. April 4, 1865, Camp of Co. D 123rd O.V.I., 10 miles from Petersburg

245. April 12, 1865, Camp at Appamattox Court House, Va.

246. April 19, 1865, Camp at Burkeville, Va.

247. April 29, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

248. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #247

249. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #247 & 248

250. March 5, 1865, Sweetland P.O.

251. May 4, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

252. May 10, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

253. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #252

 

Folder 12

 

254. May 15, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

255. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #254

256. May 22, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

257. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #256

258. May 29, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

259. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #258

260. June 12, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.

261. no date, no location. Could be continuation of #260

262. June 17, 1865, Camp near Richmond, Va.