Seventeen page handwritten memo in ink detailing the activities of the 21st Massachusetts Infy, during the Battle of Antietam. MS pages measure 6.25 x 3.125", accompanied by 6 page typewritten transcript [each page stamped "Paul F. Hoag/ 582 Hopmeadow St./ Simsburg, Conn" in lower margin." Also an 1865 letter from Charles to his mother, dated "Fort Rice, Feb. 22nd 1865", 3 ½ pages ink, accompanied w/stamped postmarked envelope address to "Mrs. Josiah White/ Ashburham/ Mass." Antietam Memorandum text clear and legible, 1865 letter faded but legible. Else VG.

Attached to 2nd Brigade, Sturgis' Division of Burnside's 9th Corps, the 21st Mass. participated in the wild fight to cross Burnside's Bridge. His account runs, in part, runs as follows: "Gen. Sturgis ordered forward the 2d MD and 6th N.H. ..supported by the 51st N.Y. 51 Penn. And 21st Mass. of the 2d Brigade who were posted in a cornfield on the side of a hill slping toward the bridge and about 200 yards from it……it was while in the cornfield in support of the 1st Brigade that co. "G" lost six men killed and wounded. RRIVATE DAN DAILY KILLED Lt. C.H. Parder comdg. The Co. wounded in bothe legs. C.A Croffts, Billy Prutt in foot. Jean Puffer in leg and L.E. Stewart in face……..Gen. Sturgis then ordered forward Renos Old Brigade ….the 51 NY was formed right in front and the 51st PA left in front. In columns of fours and under cover of a slight Protection of trees and high land within easy distance of the bridge while the 21st Mass. was to rush into po sition of the left of the bridge and open fired upon the tree and bushes which concealed the enemy on the opposite side….." Private White's colorful narrative covers the Union rush across the bridge to the opposite side and on through to the end of the battle.

Charles White was a 20 year old chair make residing Ashburnham, Mass., at the outbreak of war. He enlisted and was mustered into Co. "G", 21 Mass. Infy. on 7/19/1861. He re-enlisted on 1/1/1864 and was transferred to Co. "F", 56th Mass. on 10/21/1864, and later transferred out. Following the war he was was member of GAR post #184 [Sgt. Plunkett] in his home town of Ashburnham, MA. He died in 1915. Following its mustering in, the 21st Massachusetts was shipped to North Carolina to participate in Burnside's expedition to Hatteras Islet. After returning to Virginia for Pope's Manassas Campaign, the unit fought at Antietam and Fredericksburg. Following a season of campaigning in Tennessee, 21st returned to Virginia to join Grant's overland campaign through the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Non-veterans were mustered out in August 1864. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 36th Mass. Infy. During service the unit lost 159 men killed and mortally wounded and 91 by disease for a total of 250.

Intriguing account of the 21st Mass. at Burnside Bridge at Antietam. Accompanied by White's pension records and basic military documentation. Invites further research.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!