William Suydam letters

Collection Facts

Extent:

Dates of Original:

c. 1860 - 1865

Historical Context

The Civil War pitted the Confederate States against the rest of the Nation. Many Upstate New Yorkers, including Geneva residents, joined the Union Army to fight the Confederacy. Private William Henry Suydam, native of Geneva, NY, wrote many letters home to his parents while he was serving the the 128th Regiment during the Civil War. After the war, Suydam became quite active in Geneva civil life.

Scope of Collection

This collection contains letters written by Civil War soldier William Suydam to his family. Many of the letters are addressed to his mother. They describe events during his service. The letters date to the early 1860s.