Archer family correspondence
Abstract
James J. Archer was a Maryland lawyer and officer in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War. This collection contains two decades of correspondence between Archer and his family and includes descriptions of Archer's life during wartime and his experiences as a prisoner of war prior to his death (1864-1865). Also included in the collection is various correspondence between other Archer family members.
Dates
- 1843-1864
Creator
- Archer, James Jay, 1817-1864 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Public use of Book of Letters, 1856-1860, restricted to microfilm: Manuscripts Department microfilm MS 33; request other materials in Special Collections Reading Room.
Conditions Governing Use
The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.
Biographical Note
Archer died due to hardships endured while a prisoner of war.
Extent
4 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically at the item level and in four series: Box 1: Ledger & Index of clients from Ledger I; Box 2: 1844-58; Box 3: 1859-62; Box 4: 1863-64.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Harford County Historical Society.
Scope and Contents
This collections comprises approximately 270 letters from James Jay Archer to his family. The letters describe Archer’s experiences as an army officer during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), his involvement with Indian campaigns in Washington Territory (1855-61), and depictions of frontier life and politics at that time. Letters contain frequent references to now famed army officers, troop dispositions, specific campaigns and raids, and the Northwest Boundary Survey. Included also are letters from the American Civil War period (1861-1865), when Archer served as a Confederate brigadier general. Wounded and captured at the Battle of Gettysburg, Archer wrote a series of letters while prisoner of war at Johnson's Island in Sandusky, OH (1863-64). Final letters in the collection were written after his exchange, within a week of his death. In collection is also various correspondence between other Archer family members.
Creator
- Archer, James Jay, 1817-1864 (Person)
- Archer family (1800s) (Correspondent, Family)
- Title
- Guide to the Archer family correspondence
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Melinda K. Friend; David Angerhofer
- Date
- 1989-01-17
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Revision Statements
- 2019-07-24: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Emily Somach.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org