Norton, Levi W. (fl. 1861-1862) Collection of 13 Civil War soldier letters [decimalized]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09006 Author/Creator: Norton, Levi W. (fl. 1861-1862) Place Written: s.l. Type: Header Record Date: 1861-1862 Pagination: 13 letters, 11 envelopes, 1 newspaper Order a Copy
The collection consists of thirteen letters written by Levi W. Norton. Twelve of these letters are written to his wife, and one is addressed to his son, Fred. Norton was 41 years of age when he enlisted on 23 July 1861 at Staten Island, New York as a chaplain. He was commissioned into Field & Staff New York 72nd Infantry the following day. Norton was discharged on 20 April 1862 and died in 1900. The collection is accompanied by a newspaper, The Chautauqua Democrat, from Wednesday 25 September 1861. Selected highlights from the collection include: an explanation of a Bavarian emigrant's funeral in letter #6; Norton's sketch of his tent in #8; a descriptive account of the Washington Navy Yard. Another highlight is Norton's thoughts on the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries (August 28 - 29, 1861), the Battle of Yorktown (April 5 - May 4, 1862), and the Siege of New Orleans (April 25 - May 1, 1862) and the military generals involved in these battles. Another feature of the collection is Norton's opinions on a man named George joining the cavalry. He often discusses camp life, free and enslaved African-Americans, and religion. Norton expresses his love for his family in every letter. Ten of the envelopes have a free frank stamp with the signature of Congressman Reuben Eaton Fenton, who was born and died in Chautauqua County, New York. Fenton was elected as a Democrat to the 33rd United States Congress and served from 1853 to 1855. In 1857, he was elected as a Republican to the 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th United States Congresses; he served until 1865.
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