Smith, David V. M. (1823-1863) Collection of David V. Smith, D company, 12th regiment, New Jersey, infantry [Decimalized .01-.60]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04189 Author/Creator: Smith, David V. M. (1823-1863) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1862-1863 Pagination: 60 items Order a Copy
The correspondence of David V. R. Smith, a Private in the 12th New Jersey Volunteers, includes 59 war-date letters written to his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Charles Carroll, from Elmer, Salem Co., NJ. Smith's regiment served mostly as pickets and guards. His letters detailed this constant and fatiguing duty. However, he did see battle in two major campaigns: Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Smith suffered from chronically swollen and painful legs which eventually killed him. His leg condition sent him to the hospital in August 1863 where he died on October 10, 1863 from his illness. At Gettysburg, Smith's regiment was positioned behind the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge. A couple of his letters provide very good descriptions (#49, Pickett's charge; and 52, the battle). Many of Smith's letters mention illness and medical services in the army. Finally, domestic strife finds its way into Smith's letters as he repeatedly begs his wife not to blame him for their problems and to stop questioning him about alcohol (# 2-17).
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