Lucius Thomas Papers
1862-1863
Manuscript Collection #366- Creator(s)
- Thomas, Lucius
- Physical description
- 0.073 Cubic Feet, 1 box , correspondence.
- Preferred Citation
- Lucius Thomas Papers (#366), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
- Repository
- ECU Manuscript Collection
- Access
- No restrictions
Papers (1862-1863) consisting of correspondence from a Massachusetts soldier written to his mother while he was stationed for part of his Civil War service in occupied New Bern, North Carolina.
Biographical/historical information
Lucius Thomas was a member of Co. F, 7th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteers. He was stationed in various camps in Massachusetts before being transported to North Carolina for Union occupation duty.
Scope and arrangement
The bulk of the correspondence was addressed from New Bern, NC, to his mother Mary A. Thomas, of Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Of particular interest is the mention of Confederate preparations against a Union attack in the New Bern area. A letter mentions a battle near New Bern in which Union gunboats shelled the Confederates, and other letters mention battles near Washington and expeditions of Union troops to Pollocksville and Trenton.
Also of note are commentaries on camp routine, camp facilities,food, it's acquisition and preparations, and descriptions of New Bern. Other topics include General Foster's inspection of Union troops, the Ladies Relief Society, the Union Volunteers Refreshment Saloon in Philadelphia, and trips aboard Union transport vessels the MERRIMACK and EMILIE. Among these letters is a drawing of the floor plan of a tent and the positions of all the occupants and equipment. Several letters relate the problems that arose in the shipping of the Union dead back to their families and the activities of the camp sutler.
Administrative information
Custodial History
Source of acquisition
Gift of Dr. Edwin M. Wolf
Processing information
Processed by R. Browning, October 1978; Updated by N. Hardison, June 2025
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Copyright notice
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Thomas, LuciusCorporate Names
United States. Army--Military lifeTopical
Soldiers--United States--CorrespondencePlaces
New Bern (N.C.)--History, Military--19th centuryNorth Carolina--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Naval operations
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives