Letter from Peter R. Laws, James Island, S.C., to Francis Jackson Garrison, April 1st, 1865

Item Information

Title:
Letter from Peter R. Laws, James Island, S.C., to Francis Jackson Garrison, April 1st, 1865
Description:
Peter Laws writes Francis Jackson Garrison relaying the tale of his journey by sea to South Carolina, and the commencement of his duties in his regiment as part of the Massachusetts Colored Infantry troops taking part in the Union occupation of South Carolina. Laws states that they encountered many soldiers belonging to General Sherman's army, calling them a "hard set of fellows", and noting that many of them had never encountered an African American soldier before, let alone heard of the 55th Massachusetts Volunteers. Laws recounts a brief skirmish with Confederate troops on James Island which ended with the retreat of the rebel troops, and recounts the reception they received from former slaves upon arrival in Charleston, South Carolina, stating that the latter "Jumped, Shouted, Bawled, Danced, Sung, Swore, and prayed, apparently at the same time and in one breath".
Author:
Laws, Peter R.
Addressee:
Garrison, Francis Jackson, 1848-1916
Date:
April 1, 1865
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--United States
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Freed persons--United States
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)--African American troops
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 55th (1863-1865)
Garrison, Francis Jackson, 1848-1916
Laws, Peter R.
Extent:
1 leaf (4 p.) ; 12.7 x 20.4 cm. + 1 envelope
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/5h740f05j
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
James Island, S.C.
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
Manuscript includes an encapsulated, stamped envelope, measuring 15.7 x 9.4 cm, addressed from "Serg't Peter R. Laws, Col. I., 55th Mass., James Is'd, S.C., April 1, 1865", addressed to "Master Frank Garrison, 221 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.
Identifier:
4664196
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.34, p.38
Barcode:
39999066766534