Berry Family Papers, 1862-1930

Title:

Berry Family Papers, 1862-1930

Creator:

Berry, Alonzo Freeman, 1846-1929

Accession / Call Number:

2022.075

Object ID:

2022.075

Date:

1862-1930

Physical Description:

1 box ; 0.21 linear feet

Scope and Content:

The Berry Family Papers primarily contain the Civil War letters of Alonzo Freeman Berry (1846-1929), though there are also a few letters from his brother Albert (1845-1865) and step-brother George Dame (1842-1863). Alonzo Berry was in the 8th New Hampshire Volunteers, an infantryman who served in Mississippi and Louisiana. His letters describe long marches but only one battle, perhaps that at Georgia Landing in October 1862. He became ill and spent about six months (June 1863-January 1864) hospitalized in Baton Rouge; part of that time he describes working as a helper in the hospital. His letters focus on his desire for news from home and his health, with little in the way of descriptions of the countryside, fellow soldiers, or local people and customs. He was discharged in October 1864 and mustered out in January 1865. Neither Albert Berry nor George Dame survived, both dying of illness before entering battle. As noted above, their father and stepfather, Asa, enlisted in 1861 and died in Louisiana in 1862. It appears that Alonzo was in the same unit as his step-father and re-enlisted after his death. None of this is mentioned in Alonzo’s letters (or any in this collection), but it probably explains why all three young men were concerned about sending money to their mother. Albert Berry, serving with the 12th New Hampshire Volunteers, wrote from Point Lookout, MD, the letters are in several hands, but the reason for this is unstated. His death is documented only by a note from a surgeon in the hospital in which he died telling his mother that he left no effects. George Dame, serving with the 13th New Hampshire Volunteers, is represented by two letters, both written from Washington, DC. He reports on battles he has heard about but states little about his own activity. There is a letter from his commanding officer describing his death from diphtheria and telling his family where he was buried. The remainder of the collection consists of ephemera from the fraternal organization Grand Army of the Republic; some masonic items perhaps belonging to Alonzo Berry’s son, Charles (1875-1905); and a few other scattered letters from other family members. The materials in this collection date from 1862 to 1924.

Subjects:

Correspondence , Insurance policies , Photographs , Receipts (Acknowledgements) , Soldiers , United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Locations:

Baton Rouge, LA
Carrollton, LA
Camp Parapet, New Orleans, LA
Camp Stevens, LA
Point Lookout, MD
Strafford, NH
Washington, DC

People:

Berry, Albert H., 1845-1864 , Berry, Alonzo Freeman, 1846-1929 , Berry, Mary, 1811-1891 , Dame, George Washington, 1842-1863

Organizations:

Grand Army of the Republic
United States. Army. New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1864)
United States. Army. New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1865)
United States. Army. New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, 13th (1862-1865)

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society purchase.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Series

Finding Aid Link:

RS64946_Berry_Family_Papers_2022.075.pdf