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Peter Marchant Civil War correspondence

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS657f

Scope and Content

This collection contains a photocopy of a picture of Peter Marchant dated May 7, 1863, and three letters from July 15 to August 2 of 1864. In his description of the photograph Marchant writes about the ring he wears on his left hand which was crafted by a soldier held prisoner at Camp Chase. The letters in this collection were written to Peter Marchant’s wife Susan and all contain much of the same information due to his fear that the letters were not being received. The letters dated July 15 and 16, 1864, were written from the battle lines at the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta. Peter notes the confidence the soldiers have in Confederate General Johnston despite the harsh conditions of sixty consecutive days spent marching or in battle. The letter dated August 2, 1864, describes the necessity of many Confederate retreats from the Battle of Atlanta under the cover of night due to heavy losses. In this letter he also notes that the Union and Confederate armies were both destroying the land beyond hope of redemption. Each letter contains news about the religious life and newly professed Christians in Marchant’s camp.

Dates

  • 1863-1864

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Administrative/Biographical History

Peter Marchant and his wife Susan were married before the Civil War. He served as a soldier for the Confederate States of America and was mustered in as a Brevet 2nd Lieutenant in Company C of the 47th Tennessee Infantry on December 16, 1861. He achieved the rank of Captain before his capture by the Federal Army. Peter was imprisoned in Camp Chase and died on January 25, 1865, and was buried in New Jersey. Additional biographical information about Peter Marchant has not been determined.

Extent

4 item(s)

Language

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, 1998

General

America's Turning Point: Documenting the Civil War Experience in Georgia received support from a Digitizing Historical Records grant awarded to the Atlanta History Center, Georgia Historical Society, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the Digital Library of Georgia by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Description Control

Collection reprocessed in 2009

Title
Peter Marchant Civil War correspondence
Author
Paul Crater
Date
December 2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040