Augustus F. Bull papers

The Augustus F. Bull Papers consist of a series of 24 Civil War era letters from Augustus Bull, of New Haven, Connecticut, to his cousin, Roxie DeWitt, of Wyandot County, Ohio. The letters are fairly long, newsy, and written in a very legible hand.

Augustus Bull (b. April 22, 1840) served with the 6th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company K, from September 1861 till the expiration of his original three-year enlistment in August 1864, serving as Company Clerk, with later duties in the Regimental Adjutant's Office. The correspondence presents a fairly complete series of communications during the period Augustus was in the army. In addition, there are a series of 5 letters written as a civilian, many while he worked as a painter in Oil City, Pennsylvania.

The military letters from Augustus describe living conditions in some detail, both in camp and on shipboard while in transit to new posts. Since he served as Company clerk, he was in a position to have detailed information on the troop movements, casualty reports, and progress of the war. In addition, he mentions health conditions, guard duty, daily activities, and comments on references in Roxie's letters to him about girls back in Ohio. His post-war correspondence primarily concern his efforts to get reestablished in civilian life and his impressions of Oil City.

A few letters stand out as being particularly interesting. First, a letter dated December 23, 1862-January 1, 1863, gives an account of Christmas and New Years observations in the Beaufort, S.C. area during the war, including camp games and competitions among the troops. The letter of August 15, 1863, provides a description of the assault on Ft. Wagner, S.C., including the role of the 54th Mass. (Colored) in that battle. Finally, the letter written on January 12, 1864 recounts the reaction of his family when he surprises them with a visit while on detached duty as a Recruiting Officer back in Connecticut.

The letter of Augustus' sister, Lizzie, to Roxie written after the war primarily deals with family events, including the death of Lizzie's husband, Archie; the marriage of Augustus to Emma Jordan; Lizzie's movements and activities after her husband's death; and births and deaths in the extended family.