Guide to the John Darby Papers, RG 300
Listed by:
Dwayne Cox
Date: 9/27/99
Date Span: 1863-1865
Size of Collection: 12 items
Biographical Sketch: Darby served in the provost marshal’s office of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War.
Scope / Content: Darby’s papers consist of letters regarding military life, including his shock and anger regarding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
CALENDAR:
11 SEPT.1863. Beverly Ford, Rappahannock River. Traveled six days by boat and train via Potomac River, as a build-up of federal forces ensued. The rebels are three miles across the river.
18 May 1864. Spottsylavania C.H., VA. The letter is being written while he is in a rifle pit. He says 64,000 federal reinforcements have arrived. There has been constant artillery shelling and Stuart’s cavalry was repelled.
2 July 1864. Blackwater, VA. Shelling goes on daily with the rebels defending Petersburg. His division has not been in active fighting since 22 June.
20 AUG. 1864. Headwaters of Blackwater River. He is on a provost marshal guard detail. Federal forces are tearing up the Weldon Railroad. He has some urinary health problems. He saw 200 rebel prisoners the day before. Two barges exploded and some 80 soldiers were killed.
9 DEC. 1864. HQS. 2ct army corps. This was fighting near Hatcher’s Run. The troops hop to be in Petersburg soon. The ground is frozen.
16 DEC. 1864. Near yellow house- Jerusalem Plank Road. His corps is now in reserve and is building houses for shelter near the earthworks around Petersburg.
4 MAR. 1865. Near Hatcher’s Run, VA. Soldiers throw away coats, blankets, and other clothing when going to battle. Some of it is recovered, but not often. He expects to be home in year.
5 MAR. 1865. Near Hatcher’s Run, officer of provost marshal. He has been trying to get information on one horse mowers.
26 MAR. 1865. Cumming House, VA. No fighting today, but whipped the rebels yesterday. He thinks troops will move out tomorrow with Sheridan. The court-marshal president was shot in the leg yesterday.
18 APR. 1865. On Danville Railroad west of Burkville, VA. Marched hard for 3 days from Appomattox Court House, and then heard new of Lincoln’s assassination. He is furious and hopes vengeance will be swift on those responsible. He has not changed clothes in 3 weeks.
6 MAY. 1865. Campbell Hospital, Washington D.C. He is laid up in the hospital, with maybe some form of painful rheumatism, and can’t eat much. He wished he was at home, but doesn’t know how long it will be until he can do so.
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