Skip to main content

Charles Leaman papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS985f

Scope and Contents

This collection contains typewritten transcripts of approximately one hundred letters written by Leaman between 1862 and 1865. The bulk of the letters are to family members about daily life in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War. Of particular note are details he gives about Confederate prisoners, ironclad warfare, and the Union’s failed attempt to retake Fort Sumter in 1863. He shares his impressions of Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren and the close encounters he had with him. Also included are excerpts from The United States Marine Corps in the Civil War about Leaman and an index of the letters.

Dates

  • 1997, approximately 2000, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Biographical / Historical

Charles Leaman (1845-1920) was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Amanda Leaman. He served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War. In September 1863, Leaman fought in the Second Battle of Fort Sumter; he was assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron as a personal guard and orderly for Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren (1809-1870). After the war, he graduated from seminary and moved to China with his wife Lucy Crouch Leaman (1840-1910) and children Mary Amanda (1879-1972) and Lucy Atkinson (1881-1968) in 1874 to serve as a missionary.

Extent

0.21 linear ft. (one half document case)

Language

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, 2020

Bias in Description

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete.

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2024.

Title
Charles Leaman papers
Subtitle
ahc.MSS985f
Author
Ben Conklin
Date
August 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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