William C. Towle letters, 1865

Summary

Creator:

Towle, William C., active 1830

Date:

1865

Extent:

1 folder(s) (2 letters)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

William C. Towle letters, ms4092, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Two letters from Union surgeon William C. Towle written to his wife. First letter dates February 26, 1865 and details Towle's time in Savannah with the army and the newly free enslaved people he has hired since arriving. "I am living well, I pay a colored woman three dollars a month to cook for me, I have a man to take care of my horses and another to wait upon me..."

Second letter dates May 29, 1865 and details his time in Augusta, seeing Jeff Davis pass through the town, and his knowledge of newly emancipated enslaved people who are told to "not consider the word Freedom as meaning Freedom from labor." Towle ends his second letter by promising to send "a negro girl" to his wife.

Biographical / historical:

William C. Towle was a Union surgeon with both the 12th Maine Veteran Battalion and the 8th Indiana Veteran Volunteers during the Civil War.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Slavery -- Georgia -- History.
Slaves -- Emancipation -- Georgia.
Correspondence

Names:

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Places:

Augusta (Ga.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Savannah (Ga.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Georgia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care.

Preferred citation:

William C. Towle letters, ms4092, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.