[bulk: 1861-1865]
MC 193
About Leander Harris (1833-1912):
Leander Harris was born March 12, 1833, in Fairlee township, Orange County, Vermont, the third of eight children of Stephen Harris and Mary Jane Colby. Leander married Emily S. Hunt, daughter of Jacob E. and Anna Hunt, and they had two daughters: Annie M. in June 1857, and Clara Josephine in September 1858. Although essentially a shoemaker by trade, in 1861 Leander was elected to the office of town clerk in Hampstead, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
Later in the year Leander resigned this civil position and at the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted on the 1st of September for three years service in the Union army. On the 18th of September he was mustered in as a private into Company I of the Fourth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Manchester, New Hampshire. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Louis Bell, his regiment was sent south on September 27 to Washington, District of Columbia, then on to Annapolis, Maryland, to join in General Thomas West Sherman’s Expedition to Port Royal, South Carolina. There they saw the destruction of Forts Walker and Beauregard along with the capture of Hilton Head. The regiment camped in Hilton Head for the winter until January 1862 when they were sent to Florida to aid in the capture of the towns of Fernandina, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. By September 1862, the regiment was returned to Beaufort, South Carolina, for the winter. In the spring of 1863, as part of a brigade commanded by Colonel Bell, they began the long battle to capture the South Carolina Forts Wagner and Gregg on Morris Island, and Fort Sumter in Charleston. From June to December 1864, a detachment of the 4th New Hampshire was sent to the Army of the James and took part in the long siege of Petersburg, Virginia. In January 1865, they also took part in the assault and capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Leander’s usual position was an aid at the military base hospital which included the duties of cutting wood and bringing water to the cooks. For a short time he filled in the vacant position of steward at the hospital and later in the war, he was sent to the trenches to bring water to the soldiers. Toward the end of the war, he was assigned the duty of mail messenger.
Leander’s strong patriotism combined with the handsome bounty and furlough offered to the veteran soldiers persuaded him to re-enlist for another three years duty and on February 29, 1864, he was mustered again into the service. At the end of the war, he was mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 23, 1865. Leander’s brothers, Elmer, George and Joseph Harris, also volunteered and served throughout their terms in the Union Army with the exception of George who died in 1864.
Following the war, Leander and his family went to live in Bradford, Essex County, Massachusetts. He worked and eventually became foreman in a shoe factory in Hampstead, NH, as did his brothers, Elmer and Joseph. Six months after his return from the war, in February 1866, Emily died from diphtheria, and ca.1875 Leander married his cousin, Elizabeth D. Colby, but there were no children from this union. Before the turn of the century, Leander and his wife moved to a farm on Crank road in Hampton Falls, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, near his daughter. There he took up farming and spent his remaining days until his death on August 25, 1912. Leander and Elizabeth Harris are buried in the Westview Cemetery on Nason road in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.
About the Leander Harris Letter collection:
The collection consists of 233 items arranged in five series, dating between 1852 and 1912. They contain original personal letters, military papers, a few photographs and other miscellaneous items. The first series consists mainly of personal letters written during the Civil War years 1861-1865, from Leander Harris to his wife Emily. These letters mention details of events that took place during his service, carry news of family members and friends, describe the weather and places, and include personal notes and political opinions. The second series contains various items related to the war itself. The third series consists of Emily’s letters to her husband and mainly focus on her worries, family news and events, town gossip and political opinions. The fourth series contains personal letters from family members and friends to either Leander or Emily. They range in content from personal events and opinions to religious advice. The fifth and last series contains a few visual items – photographs, an ambrotype, and a sketch.
Letters that have an asterisk after the date are transcriptions only. We do not possess the originals of these.
Folder Listing:
- Letters from Leander Harris to Emily S. Harris
- Miscellaneous Military Items
- Letters from Emily to Leander Harris
- Miscellaneous Correspondence and Items
- Various items from family and friends to Emily and/or Leander Harris
- Letters to Leander from his mother
- Letters to Emily from her mother-in-law
- Letters to Leander from his sisters
- Letters to Leander from his brother, brother-in-law, and friends
- Miscellaneous Visual Items
I. Letters from Leander to “Emmy” [Emily] Harris
| f.1 | October-December, 1861. Contains seven letters.
October 8, 1861.
November 1, 1861. An incomplete, un-addressed letter, on family issues: Nichols, Josie & chicken-pox, Annie, Elmer, Nelson & Hattie Lewis, Ruth and Andrew Johnson. November 21, [1861] * November 27, 1861. From Hilton Head Island, SC, on camp meals, Captain Goodrich of CT attached to General Wright’s staff on “Baltic”, political views, regiment drilling, accident in a PA regiment, Andrew [Johnson], Elmer in 14th NH Regiment near Fort Albany, Noyes, William, Nelson, Hattie, Lewis & Ruth, Annie, Hall and Clara’s folk. Undated.
|
| f.2 | January-March, 1862. Contains six letters.
On camp life, Allen’s Point, Mrs. and James Hall. January 1, 1862. January 2, 1862 March 11, [1862]. March 13, 1862. March 19 [1862]. |
| f.3 | April-June, 1962. Contains eight letters.
April 13, 1862. April 17-19, 1862. May 9-11, 1862. May 16, 1862. May 25-June 1, 1862. June 5, 1862. June 8-18, 1862. From St. Augustine on cholera morbus, Wilson’s house and war progress. |
| f.4 | July-September, 1862. Contains eleven letters.
July 13-21, 1862. July 22-25, 1862. Incomplete, un-addressed letter. On boys going home, plants native to the area: red and white oleanders, and crape myrtle. August 3-7, 1862. August 8-11, 1862. August 17, 1862. From St. Augustine on their anniversary, dreams, Doctor’s leave of absence, Brewster serving in rebel ranks, and Elmer’s Colonel. September 6-7, 1862. September 14, 1862. September 16-17, 1862. From Beaufort on Emmy’s political views, Dr. Eastman’s daughter Mary, Dr. Greeley, the new Doctor, Mrs. Eastman, Richard Petty’s death, and insects. |
| f.5 | October-December, 1862. Contains nine letters.
October 5, 1862. October 13, 1862. From Beaufort S.C. on battle at the Pocotaligo bridge and retreat, Jim Haynes, Mrs. Sawyer, Dr. Eastman still in St. Augustine October 29-30, 1862. November 18, 1862. December 4-12, 1862. Unknown date. December 17, 1862. December 21, 1862. |
| f.6 | January-March, 1863. Contains five letters.
January 19-24, 1863. Fragment letter. February 5-8, 1863. From Beaufort on their correspondence, his mother, Margaret, Haynes’ health, orders to move, pay situation and Emmy’s letters. March 26, 1863. March 29, 1863. |
| f.7 | April-June, 1863. Contains four letters.
From Folly Island, SC, on encampment near Fort Sumter and the rebels. May 13, 1863. May 19, 1863. From Camp Howell on Folly Island, birthdays of Emmy and Annie, 7th Regiment encampment, political views, burning letters for their safety, English streamer in Charleston, J.C. Dickerman, Emma’s grandmother at Landown. |
| f.8 | July-September, 1863. Contains three letters.
July 8, 1863. August 31, 1863. From Morris Island on the mail, Elmer, Joseph, and money issues. |
| f.9 | October-December, 1863. Contains six letters.
October 3, 1863. October 6, 1863 November 8, 1863. November 23, 1863. November 28-December 6, 1863. December 12, 1863. |
| f.10 | January-March, 1864. Contains five letters.
January 6, 1864. January 12, 1864. January 22, 1864. February 7, 1864. February 14, 1864. |
| f.11 | April-June, 1864. Contains ten letters.
April 11, 1864.* April 20, 1864. April 22, 1864. April 23-25, 1864. April 28-29, 1864.* From Gloucester Point, Yorktown, VA, on an imminent move, picket near Petersburg, VA, Emmy’s letter, his safety, burning letters for safety reasons, sharp fighting. May 11, 1864. May 20-23, 1864. May 27, 1864.* May 31, 1864. June [erroneously dated as May] 6, 1864. June 8, 1864. June 10, 1864.* June 18, 1864.* June 29, 1864. |
| f.12 | July-September, 1864. Contains ten letters.
July 4, 1864. July 9, 1864. July 13, 1864. August 3, 1864. August 7, 1864. August 9, 1864.* August 11, 1864. August 19, 1864. August 23, 1864.* September 1, 1864. September 7, 1864. September 24, 1864. |
| f.13 | October-December, 1864. Contains four letters.
October 23, 1864. November 5, 1864.* November 15, 1864.* November 20 , 1864.* December 4, 1864. December 10 , 1864.* December 15, 1864. December 31, 1864. |
| f.14 |
January-March 1865. Contains four letters. January 12, 1865.* January 16, 1865.* January 23, 1865. January 29, 1865. February 9 , 1865.* February 22, 1865. February 24-25, 1865.* March 10, 1865. March 19, 1865.* March 26, 1865.* |
| f.15 | April-June 1865. Contains six letters.
April 2-3, 1865. April 9, 1865. April 15, 1865.* April 18, 1865.* May 3, 1865.* May 8, 1865.* May 14 , 1865.* May 18, 1865.* May 22, 1865. May 26, 1865. June 3, 1865. June 25, 1865. |
| f.16 | July-September 1865. Contains two letters.
July 26, 1865. August 6, 1865. |
II. Miscellaneous Military Items
| f.17 | 1862-1912. Contains nine items.
August 5, 1862. August 12, 1863. August 14, 1863. June 12, 1864. July 17, 1865. August 1, 1865. August 23, 1865. March 23-October 21, 1908. January 8, 1912. |
III. Letters from Emily, in Hampstead, New Hampshire, to Leander Harris
| f.18 | October-December 1861. Contains two letters.
October 13, 1861. December 15, 1861. |
| f.19 | January-April 1862. Contains six letters.
January 1, 1862. January 4, 1862. January 10, 1862. January 16, 1862. February 1, 1862. February 17, 1862. March 16, 1862. |
| f.20 | April-June 1862. Contains fifteen letters.
April 5, 1862. April 7, 1862. April 20, 1862. From Hampstead, N.H. On the mumps, Lewis’ letters, 7th New Hampshire volunteers, Dr. Morse, David Currier, Capt. George, Richard Welch, the war and her fears, rumors in town about soldiers being “taken in,” Mr. Bragdon, Brewster, Dickens “Tale of Two Cities” and “Great Expectations,” Beauregard and the Pittsburg Battle. their reunion, battle of Pittsburg, Dr. home on furlough, Methodist Society, Mr. Rogers, N. Salem, love notes. Undated. Undated. April 26-27, 1862. Undated. April 26, 1862. May, 1862. May 11, 1862. Leander’s move to Charleston, singing with Julia, William, George Hyde, Susan. May 18, 1862. May 25, 1862. June 8, 1862. Her birthday, summer clothes from Haverhill, making hats and shakers, singing, letters, Negroes, Illinois law, Hunter’s Regiment, political views, President’s Proclamation, Gov. Andrew’s to Secretary of War on more troops, Sumner, Wendel Phillips, rebels, P. Nichols, Ralph Bricket. June 22, 1862. June 29, 1862. |
| f.21 | July-September 1862. Contains eleven letters.
July 7, 1862. July 25, 1862. August 3, 1862. August 10, 1862. Josie’s accident, England and France interfering with war, Mrs. Brewster and her husband, town to decide bounty, enlistments of Ezekiel Bartlet, Layrus and Henry Little. August 16, 1862. August 24, 1862. August 31, 1862. September 7, 1862. September 16-18, 1862. September 19, 1862. September 28, 1862. |
| f.22 | October-December 1862. Contains nine letters.
October 3-5, 1862. October 12, 1862. October 16, 1862. November 2, 1862. November 9, 1862. From Hampstead, N.H. On the weather, her feeling ill, her political opinions on Sumner and of those not fighting in the war, M.F. Johnson and wife coming for a visit. November 23, 1862. December 9, 1862. December 14, 1862. An incomplete letter on Father, Mr. Smith, Dr. Eastman’s remarks and discharge, fears for Leander, Emmy’s throat. December 25, 1862. |
| f.23 | January-March 1863. Contains five letters.
January 7, 1863. January 24, 1863. February 8, 1863. February 20, 1863. March 8, 1863. An incomplete letter apologizing for her last letters, Ettie Eastman’s death, Leander’s return. |
| f.24 | April-June 1863. Contains three letters.
May 14, 1863. May 29, 1863. June 29, 1863. |
| f.25 | July-September 1863. Contains eight letters.
July 13, 1863. July 26, 1863. August 6, 1863. August 16, 1863 September 11, 1863 September 20, 1863 September 26, 1863 September 27, 1863. |
| f.26 | October-December 1863. Contains five letters.
October 11, 1863. November 1, 1863. November 22, 1863. Undated. December 6, 1863. |
| f.27 | January-December 1864. Contains seven letters.
January 1-3, 1864. On sickness around town, Christmas and the children, Clara’s sickness. January 10, 1864. January 18, 1864 * January 24, [1864]. (mis-dated 1863) February 7, 1864 * February 23, 1864. April 17-19, 1864. |
| f.28 | January-December 1865. Contains nine letters.
March 5, 1865. April 3, 1865. April 16, 1865. April 16, 1865. A typescript letter of the original of the same date. April 23, 1865 July 17, 1865. July 23, 1865 July 27-29, 1865. August 13, 1865 |
| f.29 | Unknown dates. Contains six incomplete letters.
Undated. Undated. Beginning with “walking is so bad…” from Emily to Leander on singing school, Emily Ann, Mrs. George Corson, children, sewing shoes with father, Hattie’s baby, Horace Sawyer, Nat Corson wounded, Allen Martin on furlough, Mr. Haynes, Seymour’s speech. Undated [late summer]. Undated [winter] Undated. Undated. Undated.* |
IV. Miscellaneous Correspondence and Items
A. Various papers and letters from family and friends to Emily and/or Leander Harris
| f.30 | January-December 1852. Contains two items.
February 27, 1852. An essay entitled “Alfred the Great” by Emily S. Hunt for Atkinson Academy. |
| f.31 | January-December 1853. Contains one item.
April 1853. |
| f.32 | January-December 1862. Contains three letters.
February 3-4, 1862. June 20, 1862. October 22, 1862. |
| f.33 | January-December 1863. Contains two letters.
May 2, 1863. December 11, 1863. |
| f.34 | January-December 1864. Contains two letters.
April 23, 1864. October 23, 1864. |
B. Letters to Leander from his mother
| f.35 | January-December 1862-1866. Contains sixteen letters.
March 1, 1862. Addressed from E. Plainfield on Maggie, Hospital, welfare of her three sons, Joseph, Elmer, Margaret, Father Buzzel. April 11, 1862. June 9, 1862. July 27, 1862. January 7, 1863. January 18, 1863. February 23,1863 * From E. Plainfield, on his brother Josy, his father quite using tobacco for now, inquiries about his health, Jim Colstan March 9, 1863. March 30, 1863. April 28, 1863. October 5, 1863. November 6, 1863. January 13, 1864. February 12, 1866. Undated. Undated. |
C. Letters to Emily Harris from her mother-in-law in East Plainfield, NH
| f.36 | January-December 1861-1863. Contains eight letters.
April 24, 1861. November 17, 1861. April 7, 1862. On letters, Leander, Joseph, small pox, Co. G, her sickness, maple sugar, Leander’s enlistment, the snow season, religious views, Teacher’s library in Hampstead, Dr. Nelson, acts of the Apostles, Margaret, Mr. Fulsome, universalism and her faith. May 11, 1862. November 16, 1862. March 30, 1863. August 31 [year unknown]. December 13 [year unknown]. |
D. Letters to Leander from his sisters
| f.37 | January-December 1862-1865. Contains five letters.
August 10, 1862. December 14, 1862. January 25, 1863. February 26, 1865. January 12 [year unknown]. |
E. Letters to Leander from his brother, brother-in-law, and friends
| f.38 | January-December 1862-1864. Contains nine letters.
July 29, 1862. August 14, 1862. From brother Joe in Beaufort, SC, on letter exchanges, Elmer, life at Fort Jefferson, fight at James’ Island, Hilton Head, Manchester, regimental health, “niggers”, rebels, “Hunter’s nigger brigade”, Yankee, “Hunter’s black lambs”, gunboats, pickets, Mr. Beman, Dr. Eastman, paper by soldiers at San Augustine. September 28, 1862. February 15, 1863. August 9, 1863. August 31, 1863. January 2, 1864. Undated. July 30 [year unknown]. |
| f.39 | January-December 1862-1863. Contains three letters.
July 30, 1862. From J. G. Hunt at Niagara Falls, NY on visit to Niagara, Goat Island, American Falls & “Horseshoe” Falls, Gen. Scott, Gen. Brock, Blondin, Cataract House, Saratoga, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Morse. June 28, 1863. |
V. Miscellaneous Visual Items
| f.40 | ca 1861-1876. Contains three items.
Date unknown. Date unknown. 1876. A sketch drawn by Professor Walter Colby of Haverhill, MA. |
| f.41 | ca 1863. Contains one item.
Circa 1863. |