Vanvalkenburgh, George W. (d. 1864) Papers, 1861-1907

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Vanvalkenburgh, George W., d. 1864 

Title:  Papers, 1861-1907 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A V284 

Scope and Content Note 

Letters written while Vanvalkenburgh is serving in the 23rd Michigan Infantry in the Civil War to his wife, Emily, in Rapids, Niagara County, New York. Most of his enlistment is spent in Kentucky but he is also in Tennessee and dies at resaca, Ga. From 28 Aug. to 13 Dec. 1863 he is an invalid at a hospital in Louisville, Ky. He describes daily camp life including duties, food, medical care and pay. He writes about skirmishes and comments on the countryside and the people’s attitudes towards the war, including his own. He sees Perryville after the battle and has a second hand report on the battle of Knoxville. His friends write to his widow about his death and give a description of the battle of Resaca. 

Biographical Note 

Vanvalkenburgh was farming in Michigan when he enlisted in the 23rd Michigan Infantry in the Civil War. His wife had been there with him but returned home to Niagara County, New York before his enlistment. They had one living child, a daughter, while he was writing his letters. After his death at the Battle of Resaca, his widow Emily, remarried. She married Lafayette Riddle who died in the 1890’s. After the death of her second husband she applied for a Civil War pension as Vanvalkenburgh’s widow. 

Folder List 

Folder 1: Correspondence May 1861 – Dec. 1862. 

Folder 2: Correspondence Jan. 1863 – March 1863. 

Folder 3: Correspondence April 1863 – May 1863. 

Folder 4: Correspondence June 1863 – Sept. 1863. 

Folder 5: Correspondence Oct. 1863 – Dec. 1863. 

Folder 6: Correspondence Jan. 1864 – 6 May 1864. 

Folder 7: Correspondence 21 May 1864 – 1907. 

Folder 8: Miscellaneous. 

Folder 9: Envelopes.