Williams, Charles T. (fl. 1842-1914) to J. E. Boos
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00272.01 Author/Creator: Williams, Charles T. (fl. 1842-1914) Place Written: Newark, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 March 1914 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 23 x 16.5 cm. Order a Copy
Certifies that he served in the Union Army (in the 1st New Jersey Infantry and the 1st New Jersey Cavalry) for three years and nine months during the Civil War. During that time he was a prisoner of war for eighteen months, twelve of those at Andersonville Prison. Confirms that he testified against Andersonville's Commander Henry Wirz in 1865. Also notes meeting President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 on Lincoln's way to his swearing in. Provides other biographical details.
Boos was a compiler of manuscript material concerning President Abraham Lincoln.
Newark, N.J.
March 24th 1914
Mr. J. E. Boose,
This is to Cirtify that I Enlisted twice in the Civil War 1st for three months in the 1st New Jersey Intfrey. & 3 years as the war in 1st New-Jersey Cavaly. I served three year & nine months in the service. During that time I was in the Army of Potomac. I was under fire Fourty six time and a Prisoner of War Eighteen months. Was confined in Libby, Pemberton & Belle Island at Richmond. I was in the first lot that was sent to Andersonville Prison Georgia. Was there 1 year & 13 days. I was a witness on the Wirz trial at Washington in Aug 1865. Alls was at the Execution of Capt H. Wirz...at Washington D.C. I saw and shook hands with A. Lincoln at Newark in 1861 when he was on his way to Washington to be sworn in as President of the U.S. I allso see him at [insert: the] White House in May 10th 1861 and at a Review of our Regt in Vaginia. July 18. 1861 … I am now nearing 72 years of age …
Yours Truly
Charles T. Williams
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.