Erastus Newton Bates papers

Erastus Newton Bates papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Erastus Newton Bates papers
Creator: Bates, Erastus Newton, 1828-1898
Inclusive Dates: 1834-1898
Language(s): English
Extent: 0.6 Linear Feet (1 document box, 1 half box)
Collection Number: ms6
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Erastus Newton Bates (1828-1898) was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts on February 29, 1828 and became a lawyer, Union Army officer, and Christian Science clergyman. He graduated from Williams College in 1898 and attended Union Theological Seminary. During the Civil War, he was commissioned Major of the 80th Illinois Volunteer Regiment, spent fifteen months in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia from 1863 to 1865, and was breveted Brigadier General after the war ended. In the 1880's, he converted to the Christian Science religion and became active in the church. He died in Minneapolis, May 29, 1898 and was buried in Springfield, Illinois.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the papers of Erastus Newton Bates from 1834-1898. Includes correspondence to his wife Lucy, pertaining to his Civil War service with the 80th Illinois Volunteers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Bates' letters discuss the battles of Perryville, Kentucky (1862) and Murfreesboro, Tennessee (1862) and his subsequent imprisonment in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia (1862-1864). Also contains certificates, deeds, commissions, and a few missionary letters from India and Ceylon written by Lucy Bates' brother.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Erastus Newton Bates papers, ms6, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

General Notes

Donated by Lucy Bates in 1966, Estate of Miss Bates in 1971, and Staton Forbes in 1972.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related collections in other repositories: The First Church of Christ, Scientist Archives of the Mother Church, Boston, Massachusetts; Bates, Erastus Newton (1828-98), Letters and other materials, 1862-1904, Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Related collections in this repository: Lucy Bates papers.


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Biography: Letters clippings, obituaries and graduation programs Access Online
 
12Letters re collection Access Online
 
13Letter, 1834 Access Online
 
14Letters, 1862 Access Online
 
15Photostats of 1862 letters Access Online
 
16Letters, 1863 Access Online
 
17Photostats of 1863 letters Access Online
 
18Libby prison, 1863 Access Online
 
19Photostats of 1863 Libby prison letters Access Online
 
110Libby Prison and North Carolina Hospital, Charlotte, 1864 Access Online
 
111Photostats of Libby Prison and North Carolina Hospital, Charlotte, 1864 Access Online
 
112Letters, 1865 Access Online
 
113Photostats of 1865 letters Access Online
 
114Letters from India and Ceylon from missionary, brother of Mrs. Bates, 1865, undated Access Online
 
1151868-1898, undated Access Online
 
boxfolder
21Certificates re: Law and Freemasonry and state treasurer Access Online
 
22Commissions Access Online
 
23Deeds Access Online
 
24Pictures Access Online
 
25Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, 1896
 
26Christian Science Journal (with speech by General Bates), November 1893 Access Online
 
27Portfolio, miscellaneous materials Access Online

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641