This collection contains 7 letters that General Emory Upton received from personal acquaintances and a family member in the 1870s. Upton received condolence letters from O[rville] E. Babcock, Ella D. Anderson, J. B. Rawles, and S[amuel] R. Brown between April 11, 1870, and October 20, 1870, following the death of his wife, Emily. The writers expressed their sympathy and offered words of comfort, frequently related to their religious beliefs and those of the late Emily Upton. Several mentioned her candor during her final illness, and Brown reminisced about the couple's wedding. The remaining items are personal letters from "Richard" in Plattsburgh, New York (November 24, 1874); [Sam?] K. Upton in Batavia, New York (June 28, 1876); and William Thomson in Edinburgh, [Scotland] (September 27, 1878). Upton discussed family news and briefly mentioned the nomination of Samuel Tilden for the United States presidency. "Richard" accepted an invitation to Upton's home and Thomson briefly discussed his diplomatic career in Tehran and congratulated Upton for his work on The Armies of Asia and Europe.
Emory Upton was born near Batavia, New York, on August 27, 1839, the son of Daniel Upton and Electra Randall. After attending Oberlin College from 1854-1856, Upton attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from which he graduated in 1861. He served in Union artillery and infantry regiments during the Civil War and participated in multiple major battles. Upton earned several promotions throughout his service, becoming a brevet major general during the war. He remained in the army after 1865, commanding cavalry and infantry regiments and teaching at West Point. He published several influential works, including a tactical manual, an examination of armies in Europe and Asia, and an analysis of United States military history and policy. Upton married Emily Norwood Martin (d. 1870) in 1868; they had no children. Emory Upton committed suicide in San Francisco, California, on March 15, 1881.
