Edwin O. Wentworth letters. Manuscript., January-July 13, 1862

This series is comprised of typed and hand-written copies of letters primarily by Edwin O. Wentworth. The letters cover the period from 1849 to 1866 and were done by Edith Adams, Edwin's granddaughter, before she and her brother, Edwin Adams, donated the orginals to the Library of Congress in 1956.

The transcripts are primarily of letters Edwin O. Wentworth wrote to his wife, Caroline, while serving in the 37th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He enlisted on August 5, 1862, at the age of 31, in Springfield, Massachusetts and was killed on May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia.

In his letters, Wentworth describes life in the military in great detail, including his feelings before and after battles, his evolving political opinions, especially regarding Abolition, his frustration with not being paid and the lack of adequate supplies, the actions of his regiment at the battles of Fredericksburg, Rappahannock Station, Virginia, and other campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, and day-to-day activities, such as writing and receiving letters, buying supplies, suffering illnesses, and setting up camps. He also discusses his domestic affairs, especially his concern for the financial and emotional well-being of his wife Caroline, and their infant daughter Anna. Letters after Wentworth's death pertain to a pension for his widow and child.