Edward A. Peterson Civil War correspondence

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 8520

Scope and content

15 items inlcluding autograph letters, signed, from Peterson to his parents; one letter written on his behalf, but in someone else's hand; and a letter from his cousin commenting on Edward's death in battle on July 7, 1864. Also, a printed circular letter from February 1864 on the imminent departure of the 20th regiment of United States Colored Troops for the South, with information on obtaining a pass to visit them before their departure; a pass for a Mrs. George W. Degroot to visit a member of the 20th regiment on Riker's Island; an autograph letter to W. Halleck from P.R. George, January 1864, saying that John Degrote had presented a letter about a bond to be held in trust; a receipt for a plain coffin for John Degroot, bought from undertaker William Slack, 1879; and three envelopes from 1864, addressed to members of the DeGroat family, with patriotic illustrations printed on them.

Dates

1864-1879.

Creator

Peterson, Edward A., 1846?-1864. (Person)
DeGroat, Eliza A. (Person)
DeGroat, John, -1879. (Person)
DeGroat, George, Mrs. (Person)

Language of Material

In English.

Biographical / Historical

Edward A. Peterson was a collier from New York's Ramapo Valley, the son of a Ramapough Mountain Indian mother (Eliza A. DeGroat, alternately spelled Degrat, De Groot, etc.) and a free black father (John DeGroat). Edward served as a private in the 26th United States Colored Troops in the Union army from February 1864 until his death in battle in early July. He was killed as his regiment charged a line of Confederate rifle pits guarding Battery Pringle on James Island during the Battle of Burdens Causeway.