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Francis DeGress Papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS998

Scope and Content

The collection primarily contains materials pertaining to the activities of Captain Francis DeGress during and after the Civil War. Some of the documents include personal accounts of battle activities by Captain DeGress, field reports, military certificates, correspondence, official records of DeGress' Battery, and ledgers documenting clothing accounts for soldiers under his command. Of special interest is a letter from Theodore Davis to Mrs. Francis DeGress describing Captain DeGress' prominence in the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta. Also included in the collection is a personal account by Captain DeGress of the 22 July 1864 battle near Atlanta.

Dates

  • 1862-1917, undated

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Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright law.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

Frances DeGress was born in Cologne, Germany, February 10, 1840. He mustered into Federal service as a 2nd Lieutenant on January 1, 1862, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Throughout the war he served with Battery H, 1st Illinois Light Artillery. DeGress was promoted to Captain on December 25, 1863. He assumed command of this battery, which later became known as "DeGress' Battery." DeGress mustered out June 14, 1865 with the permanent rank of Captain and brevet rank of Major. After the war, he ran a firearms business. He died in 1883 in Mexico City and is buried in the Mexico City National Cemetery.

Extent

2.5 linear ft. (2 document cases and 1 oversize box)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

Collection is arranged alphabetically by subject headings assigned by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Susan DeGress Maynard, 2009 (2009.187)

Related Archival Materials

Francis DeGress photographs, VIS 195, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center

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 processed in 2010

Title
Frances DeGress Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Melanie Stephan
Date
January 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
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