William Henry Shaw, born in Michigan in 1840, enlisted in the 6th Michigan Infantry in 1861. His Civil War letters provide descriptions of New Orleans and its residents, and the operations in southern Louisiana, as well as accounts of the siege and battle at Port Hudson and the artillery assault on Fort Morgan. Two letters discuss the family problem of brother Stephen, a Southern-sympathizing physician living in Louisiana. A letter from one of his parents showed relief at hearing Shaw was not killed at the Battle of Baton Rouge, while expressing frustration and anger about the war and the institution of slavery which caused it.
William Henry Shaw's Civil War letters provide detailed descriptions of New Orleans and its residents, and the operations in southern Louisiana in 1862-1863. Two letters discuss the family problem of brother Stephen, a Southern-sympathizing physician living in Louisiana: Shaw's treatment of the difficulty is a classic portrait of brother vs. brother struggle. Also noteworthy are a good account of the siege and battle at Port Hudson, and a poignant letter describing the artillery assault on Fort Morgan, written to his little nieces, Maggie and Sarah Royall. One letter from New Orleans includes a magnificent, half-page engraving of Canal Street, New Orleans. A letter from one of his parents showed relief at hearing Shaw was not killed at the Battle of Baton Rouge, while expressing frustration and anger about the war and the institution of slavery which caused it.
Informal and jocular in style, Shaw's letters occasionally veer into introspection, providing a small taste of reflection on his experience as a soldier, without dwelling overly long. Throughout, his spelling is phonetic, providing a good record of mid-nineteenth century Michigan dialect.