Bradford Sparrow Correspondence
Collection Overview
Bradford P. Sparrow was drafted and assigned to the Fourth Vermont in the summer of 1863. In letters to his family, Sparrow wrote about the journey to Virginia, his illness through much of the winter, and the battles of the Wilderness and...
Show moreBradford P. Sparrow was drafted and assigned to the Fourth Vermont in the summer of 1863. In letters to his family, Sparrow wrote about the journey to Virginia, his illness through much of the winter, and the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Sparro was captured at the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 23, 1864. For a month he kept a diary, writing about the prisoners' march to Georgia and conditions at Andersonville Prison. Paroled in April 1865, Sparrow wrote several more letters home from military hospitals before he was mustered out.
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(1 - 10 of 10)
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- Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
- Description
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Topics include receiving mittens, Vermont cheese, boots and other items, many of the men receiving many goods with some of them being sold off, the expectation of being paid, and an update on Ira's ill health.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
- Description
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Topics include marching from Burlington to Long Island, conscripts, waiting for the remaining 59 men before going to join the 4th regiment, very basic tent accommodations, meals given and Charles Stoddard's error while restocking guns which has led to reducing ranks.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
- Description
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A long letter with topics including the deaths of Mr. Robinson and Otis, commenting on other news from home, dress parade, Bradford's good health, pickets being posted, the prediction of no hard battles, a request for clothing from home, and the rebels posted in a strong position.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
- Description
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Two letters of August 19th and 28th - Reporting for duty in Burlington, telling of his journey, of not having food provided & having to buy his own, of sleeping arrangements, dinner in the barracks at the old fair grounds, of the men being examined for fitness to serve.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers
- Description
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Topics include letters being delayed, the muddy camp in Virginia, winter quarters, inquiring after his brother Albert's schooling, requests a loaf of brown bread, a tin plate & other items, comments on news from home of folks health and passing away.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
- Description
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Two letters ; Oct 12 and Oct 15 ; topics include retreating from Culpepper to Rappahannock Station, the enemy's closeness, anticipation of a battle, money sent home was received, long marches every day.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
- Description
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Writes of suffering from diarrhea, wanting to subscribe to the local newspaper call the Repository, commenting on the sugar orchard at home and mentions Gen. Grant.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
- Description
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A long letter started on Dec 18th and begun again Dec 25th. Topics include Bradford recovering from sickness, receiving goods from home, boots and shirts, Mr. Bishop eating up some of the eatable food meant for Sparrow due to going so long without food, making strawberry preserves, requesting...
Show moreA long letter started on Dec 18th and begun again Dec 25th. Topics include Bradford recovering from sickness, receiving goods from home, boots and shirts, Mr. Bishop eating up some of the eatable food meant for Sparrow due to going so long without food, making strawberry preserves, requesting several hundred pounds of butter and cheese, various utilitarian items including a spider frying pan, a list of items Ira wants, mentions by name other men he has seen and talked to, acknowledges that a letter went missing and recaps what was written in that letter.
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- Title
- Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
- Description
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Writes of Ira, of himself having a light case of typhoid, his own health improving, will be entering Virginia winter quarters in a month, mentions the draft & how the process might be different and Bradford sending a list home of things he needs that include food and clothing.
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- Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
- Description
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Topics include the surprising outcome of an election at home, the hardships faced in camp, and Philip being accepted into the army.