Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Henry L. Gray Letters
Gray, Henry L.
Ms.2001.002
0.2 Cubic Feet
1 box
1863-1886
(bulk 1863-1865)
The collection includes correspondence by Henry L. Gray, written primarily between 1863 and 1865 during the American Civil War. There are also some official documents from Gray's military activities.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Henry L. Gray Letters, Ms2001-002, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Henry L. Gray Letters were purchased by Special Collections in 2001.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Henry L. Gray Letters was completed in October 2013. Preliminary processing was completed in 2001.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some of this collection has been digitized and is available online.
Biographical Note
Henry L. Gray was a Union soldier enlisted as a private from 1863-1865 in the 14th Maine Volunteer Infantry Company G during the American Civil War. His family lived in Bradley, Penobscot County, Maine. Gray served on the USS Cambridge and traveled to a variety of Union camps including Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia, Beaufort, North Carolina, Camp Coburn in Augusta, Maine, Boston Harbor, and Savannah, Georgia.
Sources:
Henry L. Gray, National Park Service Civil War database, accessed February 9, 2023.
14th Regiment, Maine Infantry, National Park Service Civil War database, accessed February 9, 2023.
Scope and Content
This collection contains letters to Henry L. Gray's family in Bradley, Maine chronicling his time with the USS Cambridge and their activities throughout the American Civil War. Included in the correspondence are notes on the locations of the ship, proximity to rebel forces, capture of Charleston by the Union Army, and the rebel blockade in Savannah, Georgia. He also references such historical events as the death of Lincoln and the surrenders of General Lee and General Wheeler as well as a first-hand account of the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Vice President. Gray documents where Davis and the Vice President were sent after their capture and how he was a member of their escort to Washington, D.C in 1865. Along with these historical events, Gray documents eating habits of soldiers, process of requesting furlough, and general life of a soldier during the Civil War from 1863-1865. Included in the collection are Henry Gray's proof of enlistment and request of a pension from the Department of the Interior and Surgeon General as well as a letter from his brother to the pension office explaining Henry's suspension from duty due to an injury.
Arrangement
The correspondence is arranged chronologically with Henry L. Gray's proof of enlistment and personal documents at the end.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Henry L. Gray Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Gosport Navy Yard (Norfolk, Virginia)December 1, 1863Letter to father discusses news and possible movement of his battalion.11Letter, Henry Gray to Frank Gray, Gosport Navy Yard (Norfolk, Virginia)January 4, 1964Gray responds to letter from brother and updates him about his current situation.12[Gosport Navy Yard]13Letter, Henry Gray to Mother, Receiving Ship OhioJune 25, 1864Gray writes to his mother with instructions to distribute photographs he recently had taken of himself.14Letter, Henry Gray to Lizzie, Receiving Ship OhioJuly 2, 1864Henry thanks his sister, Lizzie, for writing to him and tells of his time spent at sea for the past five days. He tells her that he thinks he will soon be drafted again.15Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Receiving Ship OhioJuly 8, 1864Gray writes to his father to tell him that he was drafted again and that he had found out the name of the man mother was inquiring about.16Letter, Henry Gray to Father, US Steamer CambridgeJuly 19, 1864Henry updates his father about his movements and instructing him to carry out a few favors.17Letter, Henry Gray to Sister and Father, US Steamer CambridgeJuly 27, 1864The letter is split between Henry updating his sister about his movements and then continued by him acknowledging the receipt of his coat sent by his father.18Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Beaufort, North CarolinaSeptember 13, 1864Henry writes to his father to update him about his movements since he last wrote.19Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Us Steamer Cambridge [Beaufort, NC]October 5, 1864Henry writes to his father to provide him an update to his movements and well-being.110Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Camp Caburn [Augusta, Maine]March 5, 1865Henry writes to his father to tell him of his movements and his difficulty in obtaining a furlough.111[Camp Coburn]112Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Camp Caburn [Augusta, Maine]March 16, 1865Henry provides his father with an update as to his movements and asking if he could send him some papers.113Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Gallop's Island, MassachusettsMarch 24, 1865Henry writes to tell his father of his movements up to Massachusetts.114Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Gallops Island, MassachusettsMarch 31, 1865Henry writes home to his father to inform him about his well being and sending him money.115Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Savannah, GeorgiaApril 12, 1865Henry writes to his father to update him to his relocation down to Savannah, Georgia.116Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Savannah, GeorgiaApril 19, 1865Henry writes to his father after not receiving a response to his last letter and asking him to inquire about some business back home.117Letter, Henry Gray to his Sister, Augusta, GeorgiaHenry writes to his sister to answer a letter that she had previously written.118Letter, Henry Gray to Father, Receiving Ship OhioJune 25, 1865Henry writes his father to give him an update on his location and to inform him about his future plans.119Letter, Henry Gray to Mother, Darien, GeorgiaJuly 25, 1865Henry writes to his mother to update her as to his well-being.120Official documents121