Charles H. Curtiss Papers, 1854,1926, and undated
1.5 cubic feet (in 3 boxes)
The Papers include his personal and family correspondence, 1854-1878 and 1882-1926, mostly with his parents, brother (Frank), sister (Maggie), and his bride, or soon to be wife (Fannie Spencer). There are four diaries, 1860-1864, which like his letters discuss marches, battles, General McClellan and General Hooker, the treatment of soldiers, and cadets shot for desertion. Letters prior to and after the Civil War discuss life and business in Detroit. Part of the collection includes eleven muster rolls of Company E, 7th Michigan Infantry, June 1861-August 1863, and nine monthly returns, October 1862-September 1863. These are now separately housed with the collection of oversized Civil War muster rolls. Lists of military supplies and men killed may be found in Curtiss’ 1864 diary. There are also photographs of Curtiss and one of Fannie, including one of her in a 1855 New Testament. An illustration of the Curtiss homestead is found in one April 1907 issue of the Huntington Hills (p.3). Lastly, item index cards are available to assist researchers.