Collections

Percy J. Burnes wrote these letters to his wife, Audrey Hartman, in New York City, while Mr. Burnes worked in a U.S. Army office in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Percy J. Burnes wrote these letters (many quite lengthy) to his wife Audrey Hartman in New York City, while he worked in a U.S. Army office in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The letters begin August 17, 1918, and end in early November 1918. The collection includes some discussion of Percy's work in the U.S. Army office, although his letters were subject to military censorship rules. The primary focus of his letters is on his relationship with Audrey and their plans. Most of the correspondence consists of expressions of his love for her, although both are beset by strong feelings of the loneliness of separation. He also expresses continued concern that he has caused her to be unhappy, professing repeatedly that his goal in life is to be worthy of her and to make her happy.

The Vandergrift papers contain eight manuscripts related to William R. Vandergrift's building projects around Philadelphia, Pa., 1855-1857, and six Civil War-related items retained by Mr. Vandergrift, 1862-1863.

The Vandergrift papers contain eight manuscripts related to William R. Vandergrift's building projects around Philadelphia, Pa., 1855-1857, and six Civil War-related items retained by Mr. Vandergrift, 1862-1863.

Two letters, two documents, two construction diagrams, one memorandum, and one financial account reflect William Vandergrift's work on various types of building projects, including the manufacture of custom shelves to the construction of a schoolhouse in Newportville, Pennsylvania. The two construction diagrams, a floorplan and an outdoor elevation, pertain to the Newportville schoolhouse project.

Three Civil War-related items concern Vandergrift's status with his local draft board, including notification of his eligibility for the draft, notification that he had been drafted, and a certificate that he had purchased a substitute.

Soldiers authored three letters in the collection. Two of these letters are from William's brother, Lewis R. Vandergrift, serving in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, and provide an ironic (though surely unintended) commentary on the troubles with draft substitutes in the ranks. The other letter, from his cousin Joseph Hill Sharp, a member of Company B, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, contains an excellent first-person account of the battle of Fair Oaks and the carnage and pillage that followed.