RASSELAS S. MOWRY:

An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Mowry, Rasselas S., 1841-1922, creator.
	Title:	Rasselas S. Mowry papers.
	Dates:	1861-1932 (bulk 1861-1922).
	Language:	Materials in English.
	Abstract:	Letters and journals of a Rhode Island man who served with the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment (1861-1864) and later with the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment (1864-1865) in the Civil War, eventually returning to Providence, Rhode Island, where he had a long career as a civil engineer and surveyor. Includes a few photographs, some genealogical notes, and a narrative of the First Minnesota from its formation to the Battle of Gettysburg.
	Quantity:	1.6 cubic feet (1 box and 27 folders in 1 partial box, including 56 volumes).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Rasselas S. Mowry Rasselas Smith Mowry was born in 1841 in Rhode Island to Zibba Mowry, Jr. (1803-1868) and Evelina Smith Mowry (1810-1903). Zibba and Evelina's other children included Crawford Franklin (1835-1922), Simon K. (1836-1896), Gilbert A. (1839-1921), Albert J. (1845-1932), Emma (1847-1856), Josephine, and Mary H. Mowry. The Mowry family made their home at Smithfield, a town near Providence, Rhode Island.

As a young man Rasselas traveled to Saint Paul to work as a surveyor. He was at work at Mendota, Minnesota when he decided to enlist in the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment as it was being formed, mustering in May 25, 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and after a lengthy convalescence continued to serve with the regiment until mustering out May 3, 1864.

Mowry returned East and enlisted in the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment on November 26, 1864, serving until he was discharged August 16, 1865. In later years he had a civil engineering and surveying practice in Providence.

Mowry married Alice Urania Eddy (1849-1932) on October 8, 1873. The couple had a daughter, Hannah Dorothy Mowry (1881-1925). Materials in the collection indicate that there were also two sons, Arthur and Durwood. Mowry died August 17, 1922 of a arteriosclerosis and a cerebral hemorrhage. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery, in Providence.

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SCOPE AND CONTENTS

Mowry's letters tell of army and camp life, the weather, and of fellow soldiers. Some of his letters include small hand-drawn illustrations. An early letter speaks about his mustering in, presumably at Fort Snelling (Minn.). Later letters give his his reasons for re-enlisting with the Massachusetts regiment. He speaks about being injured at the Battle of Gettysburg, although he does not describe the battle. Several of the letters describe Mowry's experiences convalescing in military hospitals. He talks about the surrender of Robert E. Lee. There are letters received many years later from an old comrade, John T. Halsted, living initially at Saint Paul and later in California.

Mowry's letters are addressed simply to "Dear Brother." Many of the letters are faint and difficult to read. There are a few letters of other people toward the end of the run. Nearly all of the letters were separated from their envelopes prior to their arrival at the Minnesota Historical Society. There are several folders of empty envelopes addressed to Mowry's brothers.

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ARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:



		Letters
		Subject Files
		Pocket Diaries

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Rasselas S. Mowry Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 17,947

Processing Information:

Processed by David B. Peterson, October 2024.

The portrait of Mowry used as an illustrative image above is taken from the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment website.

Catalog ID number: 9989867539804294

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

LETTERS

Letters written home to his brothers at Smithfield, Rhode Island while Mowry was away serving in the Civil War with Union forces. Includes a few post-war letters to and from other individuals.

Location

Box

154.J.15.2F

1861.

Includes letters written at Smithfield, Saint Paul, Fort Ripley (Minnesota) and at Camp Stone (Maryland).

A pre-enlistment letter (April 13) announces that Mowry has arrived in Saint Paul on the steamboat Ocean Wave, and describes his travels from New York via boats and trains, a stop at Niagara Falls, his falling through the ice on Lake Pepin, his search for work, river flooding, and watching the volunteers arrive at Saint Paul. A letter written at Fort Ripley (Minnesota) (June 4) announces that he has joined the Army and is stationed at Fort Ripley, and includes a small sketch of the layout of the fort. A letter to Simon Mowry (August 3, 1861) describes his experiences at the First Battle of Bull Run.

1862.

Includes letters written at Camp Stone (Maryland), Harpers Ferry (Virginia), West Point (Virginia), the Battlefield of Fair Oaks (Henrico County, Virginia), Point Lookout Hospital, and an army convalescent camp near Washington, D.C. Includes a small sketch of a soldier.

A letter written at "Potomac" (January 4) announces the first snowfall of the season and includes a small sketch of a soldier. Includes a letter to a Miss Eddy from an unknown sender, apparently serving with a Virginia regiment, at Hilton Head, South Carolina (August 1) (perhaps this is Alice Urania Eddy). A letter to S.K. Mowry from Sergeant Frank Houston of the First Minnesota Regiment at Washington, D.C. saying that R.S. Mowry was taken sick at Harrison's Landing and that he (Houston) does not know where he is (November 19). A subsequent letter from Mowry states that he was hospitalized but has since been released (December 8).

1863.

Includes letters written at the army convalescent camp opposite Fredericksburg, at Camp Metcalf (Virginia), Falmouth (Virginia), Lancaster Station (Virginia), Georgetown (Virginia), and at York General Hospital (a military hospital at York, Pennsylvania).

A letter (March 18) features colored illustrations of the Flag Officers of the United States Navy (Commanders Porter, Rowan, and Farragut), and reports that he has been playing Whisk all day. There are no letters about the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3) but letters beginning August 25 trace Mowry's recovery from wounds suffered there over a period of several months. One letter (December 28) describes how Mowry came to enlist in the First Minnesota.

1864.

Includes letters written at York (Pennsylvania), Fort Snelling, Gallops Island (Boston Harbor, Massachusetts), and Petersburg (Virginia).

At first Mowry is still in the hospital and complains of idleness. Later, he is out of the hospital, is in "perfect health," and is returning from a furlough home to Providence (February 4). In an April 1 letter he is debating whether or not to re-enlist or return to Rhode Island. In another letter he is talking about coming home to work as a carpenter (April 21). He complains of not much going on at Fort Snelling, but he does some fishing. He is waiting for his enlistment to expire. In a letter to "Friend Mowry" from someone at Saint Paul speaks about others' enlistment or re-enlistment (July 22). There is a letter addressed to "Dear Friend" from "Camp near Petersburg" signed Frederick G___ (August 5). In later letters Mowry relates that he has re-enlisted, this time in a Massachusetts regiment, and relates his reasons for doing so (November 26) and (December 5).

1865.

Includes letters written at Petersburg (Virginia), Hatcher's Run (Virginia), 25 miles east of Lynchburg (Virginia), Burkeville (Virginia), Alexandria (Virginia), Washington, D.C., Bailey's Crossroads (Virginia), and Fort Bunker Hill (Washington, D.C.).

There is some description of a battle with Confederate forces (February 14), and the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the fall of the Confederacy (April 10). On April 10 he says that he is anxious to be sent home or maybe to Texas or Louisiana because the war is over in Virginia (April 21). On May 16 he tells about stealing food to eat with another soldier (May 1). Mowry reports that they have marched 275 miles over 5 days, from Burkeville to Alexandria (May 16). A letter describes the victorious Union armies, including the Army of the Potomac, gathering at Washington, D.C. for review (May 22). The last letter is dated August 1, 1865, and is otherwise illegible. There is no mention of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

1867.

Letter written at Providence, Rhode Island.

File contains just one letter (July 8, 1867) written by C.M. Southwick to Friend Alice complaining that she has not responded to his letter and asking for a chance to develop a friendship with her and possibly a romantic relationship. Perhaps this is Alice Urania Eddy, Mowry's future wife.

1876-1894.

Letters written at Saint Paul and at Orange (California) by John T. Halsted, who served with Mowry in Company A of the First Minnesota Regiment.

Most of the letters in this section are from J. Halsted to "Comrade" Mowry. One of these is in tiny, nearly illegible script (July 9, 1876). In another, Halsted is trying to entice Mowry to move to Saint Paul (December 24, 1878). Later, Halsted writes about his beautiful home in Orange (California) (April 16, 1883). In another letter Halsted is trying to get Mowry and his family to move to California (January 28, 1894). A letter speaks of Mowry being or having been sick, and also about Mowry making a trip to California to see him (March 6, 1894). There is a scrap of a letter to "Cousin Lydia" from A.W. Mowry (March 30, 1891).

1901-1908.

A post-card addressed to Mrs. R.S. Mowry at Los Angeles from R.S.M. at Banning, California speaks about a trip made on mules (1901). Another is addressed to Mrs. R.S. Mowry at Centerdale, Rhode Island ("Dear Mother") from D.R.M. at Los Angeles and talks about money orders (November 24, 1902). A letter from Mowry at Providence speaks to his brother about a long-ago adventure with other boys, swimming in a swimming hole and stealing apples from an orchard (January 5, 1908).

1929-1932.

A letter (December 21, 1929) from Miami, Florida to A.S. Mowry at Derita, North Carolina concerning old envelopes and Confederate postage stamps; a post-card to Alice U. Mowry at Derita, North Carolina from L.N.M. at Providence, commenting on the weather (1931); and a letter from A.S. Mowry at Alma, Georgia addressed to Mrs. A.S. Mowry at Derita, about business matters (final page missing) (July 26, 1932).

Letters and letter fragments, undated.

Includes letters written at Petersburg (Virginia).

A letter describes Mowry's typical daily routine in camp (January 26). A letter from Jenckes Bartlett features an illustration of the Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry at Camp Brightwood (Washington, D.C.). In a letter with the heading "Part First" (July 25) Mowry grieves the loss of a comrade. A letter to Albert Mowry with the heading "Part Second" describes his tent and its contents. A letter with the heading "Continuation" describes the food the soldiers are getting.

Empty envelopes, undated, 1861-1865. 6 folders.

Empty envelopes addressed to Albert, Simon, Crawford, and Gilbert Mowry; Durward R. Mowry; and to Miss Sarah P. Eddy, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Some are unidentifiable as to date. Postmarked at Washington, D.C., York (Pennsylvania), Providence, Orange (California), Matthews (North Carolina), Baltimore, New London (Connecticut), Quincy (Massachusetts), Los Angeles, Isernia (Italy), Centerdale (Rhode Island), Rockville (Maryland), New York, Saint Paul, Ionia (Michigan), and Quedlinburg (Germany).

Cut portions of postcards, undated, 1882-1884.

1.5-inch horizontally cut strips of postcards written by Mowry to his wife Alice. Postmarked Marlborough (New York), Newburgh (New York), New York (New York), Milton (New York), Poughkeepsie (New York), Kingston (New York), and Stamford (Connecticut). The postcards are cut horizontally across the top to always include the postmark. The rest of the post-card is not present. The strips are in no discernible order, and one cannot put the pieces together to see what Mowry is saying to his wife.

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SUBJECT FILES

Location

Box

154.J.15.2F

Battlefield map (unidentified), undated.

First Minnesota narrative, undated.

Photocopied long-hand untitled narrative of unknown authorship following the progress of the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment from its organization through the Battle of Fair Oaks (1862), the battles of Savage Station and White Oak Swamp (1862), Malvern Hill (1862), the Second Battle of Bull Run (1862), the Battle of Antietam (1862), Boliver Heights, the First Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Gettysburg Campaign (1863). The narrative may have consisted of 67 pages, but many are missing. It appears to have not been completed.

Genealogical data (1739-1904), undated.

Rough notes and scribblings, a copy of Mowry's Return of a Death issued by the City of Providence, and an article downloaded from Palmetto Bella magazine.

Halsted's recorded weather data for Orange, California, 1894.

Henck, John B.: Field-book for railroad engineers, 1908. 1 volume.

Inscription says: Arthur S. Mowry Res. Engr., Norfolk and Southern R..., Osgood, N.C.

Photographs, undated.

Small photographs of Albert Mowry, Gilbert Mowry, an unidentified man in a military uniform, the Potter Street House of Rasselas and Alice Mowry (Providence), and an unidentified elderly man wearing a civilian coat with some military medals and decorations.

Plan of U.S.A. hospital (York, Pennsylvania), undated.

Webb, Thomas Smith: Freemason's Monitor: or illustrations of Masonry, 1861. 1 volume.

Miscellaneous papers, undated, 1894.

Includes other writings or essays, newspaper clippings, poetry, a rules and regulations book from the Rhode Island Soldiers' Home (1894), newspaper clippings about a pension increase for Civil War veterans, business cards, Mowry's membership cards in Temple Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M. (Greenville, Rhode Island), and a scrap of paper that appears to be part of a promissory note dating from 1700s Rhode Island.

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POCKET DIARIES

Mowry's small diaries typically include jottings about survey work and about his personal activities. Much of it is rather mundane. Many notes about the weather, callers, births and deaths, gardening, and travels to Los Angeles. Frequently there are cash accounts, details of monies spent and received, newspaper clippings, and loose business cards and pieces of paper.

Location

Box

154.I.16.9B

1866.

Writing is very faint and very difficult to read. Seems to be largely about the weather. Visiting with friends. Mention of "Alice Eddy Ella Mowry" (July 12).

1870. 2 volumes.

One volume largely empty. Includes a card for the Stillwater Woolen Mills which carries a reference to Alice U. (likely Alice Urania Eddy, Mowry's future wife).

1871.

Includes a simple pencil sketch of Alice, newspaper clippings, and some dried leaves.

1872.

1873.

Includes two of Mowry's business cards indicating that he had an office in Providence, Rhode Island.

1874.

Includes a photograph of an unidentified woman.

1875.

1876.

1877.

Includes some newspaper clippings.

1878.

1879.

Includes some newspaper clippings.

1880.

Notes that "Baby stood alone for the first time" (December 25). Includes some newspaper clippings.

1881.

1882.

Mowry notes that he has killed a large black snake (June 9).

1883.

A note in the volume says that Mowry is Assistant Engineer for the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad. Includes newspaper clipping about the proposed Harrisburg & Western Railroad.

1884.

1885.

1886.

1887.

1888.

1889.

Includes timetable of the Providence & Springfield Railroad, miscellaneous receipts, two of Mowry's business cards indicating that he is a surveyor and civil engineer with an office at Olneyville, Rhode Island, and a ticket for a "literary entertainment" of Johnston High School at Dyer's Opera House.

1890.

1891.

1892.

1893.

Indicates that there are 3 children: Arthur, Hannah, and Durwood (January 29).

1894.

Documents a trip to San Francisco (March 13-April 24).

1895.

1896.

Includes drawings or maps at the end of the volume.

1897.

1898.

1899.

1900.

Mowry is leaving Providence for Los Angeles with Alice, Hannah, and Arthur (November 21).

1901.

Includes a small pencil. Mowry is at Los Angeles until September 19.

1902.

1903.

1904.

Mowry says that there will be no turkey for Thanksgiving because the price is too high at 40 cents per pound.

1905.

1906.

Includes several business cards from Los Angeles establishments.

1907.

1908.

1909.

1910.

1911.

More time spent at Los Angeles. Includes business cards from Los Angeles establishments, a blank check on Mechanics National Bank (Providence), and names and addresses at the back.

1912.

Mostly blank. Mowry is at Los Angeles in January and February. Names and addresses of First Minnesota comrades.

1913.

1914.

Mowry talks about the opening of a streetcar line and a clam bake at the Congregational Church (both July 25).

1915.

Includes an obituary for Dr. Fenner H. Peckham (December 26).

1916.

Includes an obituary for Philip O'Sullivan (January 15).

1917.

Includes several newspaper obituaries.

1918.

Includes information about the suicide of Stephen J. Harris (August 5); various obituaries.

1919.

Alice and Hannah went to Holyokes Church "to hear the boy preacher" (December 5).

1920.

Includes a clipping about the Grand Army of the Republic encampment at Indianapolis.

1921.

Some biographical data at the front of the volume. No entries after January 10. A few scribblings in March and April.

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CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861.; Civil engineers -- Rhode Island.; Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863.; Military casualties.; Military hospitals -- Pennsylvania.; Surveyors -- Rhode Island.; Soldiers -- Minnesota.; Soldiers -- Rhode Island.; Soldiers -- United States -- Correspondence.

Persons:: Halsted, J. T. (John T.), author.; Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870.

Organizations:: Confederate States of America. Army of Northern Virginia.; United States. Army. Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment, 1st (1862-1865); United States. Army. Minnesota Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1864); United States. Army of the Potomac.; United States. Army Veterans.

Places:: Gallops Island (Mass.); Providence (R.I.); Smithfield (R.I. : Town); United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.; York (Pa.)

Document Types:: Photographs.

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