Beschreibung:

Significant archive of drawings, letters, documents, photographs, as well as Batchelder's uniform, kepi, sword and other personal items.
V.p: v.d.] Detailed below. John B. Batchelder (1825-1894), an instructor and later principal at the Pennsylvania Military Institute, never served in US Volunteer or Federal Forces during the Civil War, but rose to become one of the most influential nineteenth century military historians whose interpretations of the Battle of Gettysburg are studied to this day. Batchelder began working as an artist in the 1850s, commissioned to paint various views in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and New York. Immediately following the conflict of Gettysburg, he started from home for the scene of the battle and spent nearly 90 days carefully surveying and sketching its territory. He also collected oral histories from participants and followed inquiries from both sides of the conflict for years after the war had ended. Much of Batchelder's life was devoted to the study, survey, and documentation of the Battle of Gettysburg and the topographical features on the battlefield and the surrounding countryside. Indeed, many of the battlefield monuments are located in positions chosen by Batchelder. His obituary stated: "Colonel Batchelder knew more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any other man ever knew about any great battle that was ever fought." This impressive archive includes: 1) correspondence Approximately 90 pieces in total, including approximately 40 letters from Batchelder to his family and colleagues, with numerous descriptions of battlefields he visited during the Civil War, as well as letters concerning his production of some of his more notable works. Most letters written to his wife, Elizabeth, a niece of General Benjamin Butler. Other correspondence includes letters written to Batchelder in later years, mostly from his children or other family members. A few war-date examples of letter by Batchelder: Yorktown, VA, May 10, 1864: "…I shall go ashore and go back about three miles to make a sketch of the battery taken by three companies of the 1st Massachusetts Regt and after than shall be governed by circumstances…the harbor combines hundreds of vessels loaded principally with stores for the Army. But very few houses are to be seen and those of the simplest construction, old and decayed…I understand that most of the troops have advanced…I wish to see the fortifications which must hereafter be of double historical interest…" Yorktown, VA, 16 May 1862: "…The houses were mostly occupied by sick and wounded men though they are being shipped north as fast as possible…Trees in most cases have been cut down and arranged in zig zag lines all around the town, which about a half mile across…Large amounts of ammunition remain…as far as I went the ground lay scattered with the remains of clothing…Many tents still remain containing men who were hardly well enough to march with the army…At one place I saw a cluster of about 40 tents which I found was the Hospital of Gen. Hooker's Division. I spent two nights with the surgeon. I found he had about 170 sick in various stages…" Army of the Potomac Medical Purveyor's Office, 18 December 1863: "…I have been with the Army two weeks this morning…Most of the time I have been hard at work for I have but just completed the 3d Corps. I have visited every Regiment in that Corps and located its position to the satisfaction of the parties concerned…I have visited many persons here that we are accustomed to read of at home. I have been to Headquarters several times, Genls Meade, Humphrey, Hunt &c all express themselves pleased with my drawing. I have also seen Generals French, Carr, Ward, Warren, &c. Genl. Warren commanding 2d Corps sent for me to come and see him as he was going home. He had charge of the Engineer Corps at the battle of Gettysburg giving him the opportunity to know more of the field than most officers. I rode over to see him a few days since and spent an hour with him looking over the picture. He complimented me upon its accuracy and ordered a nice copy for himself…" Brandy Station, 2