Brown, Jesse (1844-1933) Collection of Jesse Brown [decimalized GLC03523.15.01-.20]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.15 Author/Creator: Brown, Jesse (1844-1933) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1861-1865 Pagination: 20 letters ; 1 envelope. Order a Copy
Consists primarily of letters written by Brown to his parents, Caleb and Emily Brown (4-8, 10, 13-18), to his sister Maria and his brother [unnamed] (1, 3, 19), to Nen (9), and to his sister Marenda (2). Also includes a letter from Brown's brother, Harvey J. Brown, to their parents (11) and a letter to Caleb Brown from family friend Sergeant James Canty (12). Many of Brown's letters candidly express financial troubles (4, 10, 11, 13-17). He often requests supplies, such as stamps, money, and red pepper. Letters reveal the economic hardship his parents experienced in their hometown of Perry, Maine, during the war. Brown offers his savings to his father to enter the tug boat business when he returns home (15-17). Brown's health declines through the letters. He fails to support the Union cause, remaining apolitical. He becomes disillusioned with the war.
Brown enlisted as a private. On 10 December 1861 he was transferred to the K Company, Maine 18th Infantry, and a year later was transferred to the K Company, Maine 1st Heavy Artillery. He also served in the C Company, Maine Coast Guard. Brown was wounded 18 June 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia.
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