Arthur Mckinstry Civil War Correspondence
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Mississippi State University Scholars Junction USGPL Finding Aids Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library 10-6-2020 Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence Arthur McKinstry Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/usgpl-findingaids Recommended Citation Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence, Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, Mississippi State University Libraries This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGPL Finding Aids by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on October 06, 2020. Emglish Describing Archives: A Content Standard Mississippi State University Libraries P.O. Box 5408 Mississippi State 39762 [email protected] URL: http://library.msstate.edu/specialcollections Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc Table of Contents Summary Information ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical Note ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Scope and Content ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................... 5 Controlled Access Headings ............................................................................................................................... 5 Collection Inventory ............................................................................................................................................. 5 - Page 2 - Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc Summary Information Repository: Mississippi State University Libraries Creator - aut: McKinstry, Arthur, 1839-1862 Source - rcp: McKinstry, Williard, 1815- Title: Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence ID: USGPL.AMc Date [inclusive]: 1861-1988 Date [bulk]: 1861-1862 Physical 0.5 Cubic Feet Description: Language of the English . Material: Preferred Citation Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence, Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, Mississippi State University Libraries. ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical Note Arthur McKinstry was born in Chicopee, MA on November 2, 1839 to William and Mary Theodosia Frink McKinstry. William McKinstry died of consumption when Arthur was five years old, and his mother remarried soon after. Arthur had a sister, Laura Jane McKinstry, who was called Jennie. Arthur spent one year at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis from 1854 to 1855 when he was sixteen. Arthur enlisted as a private in the New York State Volunteers 72nd Regiment Co. D at Dunkirk, New York, at the age of 21 in late May of 1861. During his service Arthur wrote accounts from Co. D., 3d Excelsior, Sickle's Brigade, which were published by his uncles, Willard and Winthrop McKinstry. Arthur's letters provide a well written perspective to the life and experience of the average Civil War Soldier. Arthur McKinstry's regiment engaged the Confederate Army in four battles before McKinstry died in the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862 at the age of 22. In a letter to his mother, Arthur's company commander explained that Arthur was KIA after being shot in the leg and groin. He cited Arthurs bravery under fire. - Page 3- Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc He is buried in Yorktown, VA, grave #143. This biographical information was created by the donor. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Content The Arthur McKinstry Civil War correspondence collection consists of 50 total pieces of correspondence. 37 of these pieces were written by Athur McKinstry, a private in the New York State Volunteers 72nd Regiment Co. D during the American Civil War, to various family members. The other 13 pieces consist of correspondence surrounding the death and burial of Arthur McKinstry. The bulk of the material spans 1861-1862, with additional correspondence from 1900 and 1988, respectively, concerning McKinstry's burial at Yorktown. Each piece in the collection was flattened and stored in an acid-free folder. Most letters were in their original envelopes which are included in the folder with their respective letter. Some pieces have a modern adhesive label that was attached by a former owner. Precaution was taken in the storage of such documents to assure that the modern ink or adhesive does not damage any other part of the document. The dated material is organized chronologically with undated material following in alphabetical order by title. The bulk of the material covers the military service of Arthur McKinstry. Important and significant topics covered in the material are: Military: Artillery, Battle of Williamsburg, camp life, battle formations, battery emplacements, rifles, command structure, rank structure, pay issues, uniforms, food, pickets, ships, Merimac, Monitor, New York State Volunteers Co. D. 72 Regiment, Co. D. Taylor's 3rd Regiment, Steamer Elm City, Fortress Monrow, maps, wounded and killed. Geogrpahical locations: Yorktown, NY, Fredonia, NY, Richmond, VA, Charles County Maryland, U.S. Naval Academy, Washington DC, Chickamoxen, Maryland, and Dunkirk, NY. People of interest mentioned in the material: Mary Theodosia Frink McKinstry Chapin (Mother), Laura Jane McKinstry White "Jennie" (Sister), Willard McKinstry (Uncle), Perseus Archibald Winthrop McKinstry (Uncle), Willard and Winthrop (Uncles), and Eliza McKinstry (Aunt), General Hooker, Col. Nelson Taylor, General McClellan. The collection of letters also includes two detailed maps which show Union and Confederate emplacements and units. The maps are incorporatd into the letters and do not stand alone. Also, the letters include descriptions of the freeing of slaves and their interaction with the Union Army. Many of the letters also discuss money matters. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 4- Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc Administrative Information Publication Statement Mississippi State University Libraries P.O. Box 5408 Mississippi State 39762 [email protected] URL: http://library.msstate.edu/specialcollections ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence. • McKinstry, Williard, 1815- • Hooker, Joseph, General, 1814-1879 • McClellan, George B., General (George Brinton), 1826-1885 Collection Inventory Title/Description Instances AMc to Mother, May 27, 1861 folder 1 General Dunkirk, NY: The letter includes a description of camp life, interactions, and a medical examination. Arthur is expecting letter of introduction from Uncle Willard. AMc to Mother, June 7, 1861 folder 2 General Camp Scott: The letter describes tent quarters, food coarse but wholesome, coffe terrible, health is fine, description of troops nearby, 7th regt., will keep Willard posted on movements, geography around camp. AMc to Winthrop, June 19, 1861 folder 3 - Page 5- Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc General Camp Scott: The letter details that Francis was discharged by the surgeon, sending him to relay details to Winthrop, sent list of officers, game of stealing guns, description of Sickle, mention of Scott. AMc to Mother, July 2, 1861 folder 4 General Camp Scott: The letter contains details of health, denounces Tribune, description of Co. D, acquaintences there, asks for mother to send trunk. AMc to Mother, July 6, 1961 folder 5 General Camp Scott: The letter details Sickle's announcement that the brigade is to be completed in a week, mentions of Gen. Scott, Gen. Patterson, health is better, church, send trunk. AMc to Mother, July 30, 1861 folder 6 General Camp Marsh: The letter mentions how there is little leisure time, got here last Friday, expecting wages, healthy as everyone else, description of Bull Run, possible movements soon. AMc to Mother, August 1, 1861 folder 7 General Washington: The letter describes Arthur's condition, doing well, camp is strict, difficult to get a pass outside regt. lines, visited 2nd Rhode Island regt., sell horses now, do not be concerned about associations, do not like Cpt. Abell, sent back trunk but kept contents. AMc to Mother, August 12, 1861 folder 8 General Camp Caldwell: The letter describes the change of location, hot and rainy weather, beard to fight sunburn, slaves treated well but they long for fredom and appear nervous, food, wages, seeing military rule work, comments on southern cavalry, Thomas Chandler, Foster Swift, Ally Cushing, S.M. Doyle, Bill Rockwell, volunteer soldiers. AMc to Mother, August 16, 1861 folder 9 - Page 6- Arthur McKinstry Civil War Correspondence USGPL.AMc General Camp Caldwell: The letter describes that Oscar Ames is not dead, Doyle suggests visiting outposts of regiment and recording experience, Arthur is on sick list from diarrhea, drill is too severe, may be about to relieve Cpt. Austin's company from scouting, slaves help however they can and want freedom desperately. AMc to Mother, August 26, 1861 folder 10 General Camp Caldwell: The letter describes that danger has passed, did not