Michael Lally letters and other material
Robert D. Farber
University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries
Copyright 2008 Brandeis University, all rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
| Creator: |
Michael Lally, 1800s |
| Title: |
Michael Lally letters and other material, 1861-2006, bulk 1861-1865 |
| Quantity: |
1.00 Linear Feet |
| Repository: |
Brandeis University Libraries |
| Identification: |
MWalB00051 |
| Language: |
English |
Administrative Information
Access:
Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of
Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives
and Special Collections Department.
Copyright:
Requests to publish material from the collection should be
directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special
Collections Department.
Processed by:
K. Hargrave
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
Michael Lally letters and other material, 1861-2006, Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department,
Brandeis University.
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Biographical Note
Michael Lally, an immigrant to Massachusetts from Ireland, fought for the Union in more than a dozen major battles of the Civil War, including the first and second Bull Run (Manassas), the Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. A soldier in the 11th Massachusetts Regiment, Lally wrote letters from Maryland and Virginia to his wife and children in Roxbury, Massachusetts, chronicling his experiences on the front.
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Scope and Contents
The collection at Brandeis includes 57 of Lally's letters, the first dated July 16, 1861 (just before the first battle of Bull Run), and the last dated June 6, 1865 (after Lee's surrender). The letters describe particulars of battle as well as more mundane matters, such as the need for postage stamps, handkerchiefs, a flannel shirt, or whiskey. Lally writes often about sending money home and asks for news of the family as well as friends and neighbors; his letters are sprinkled with prayers for his and his family's safety and words of reassurance. The collection also contains a small amount of other material, including a Boston Almanac from the same period, a prayer belonging to Michael Lally, several photocopies of materials relating to his military service, and secondary materials.
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Cataloging Entries
The following catalog entries provide controlled subject access to the collection. All these entries are searchable in the Brandeis University libraries' on-line catalog LOUIS to find materials of related interest.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, immigrant.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, Irish.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narrative.
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Arrangement of Materials
Series I: Correspondence
Letters from Michael Lally to his wife and children. Items in this series are organized chronologically from 1861 to 1865.
Series II: Other Materials
Various materials, including a prayer, a Boston Almanac, and a letter from John Lally
Series III: Facsimiles Government Documents
Copies of government documents relating to Michael Lally. This includes his enlistment papers, materials related to his injury, muster roll, documents of being charged with selling "intoxicating liquors," and declaration of recruitment
Series IV: Photograph
Contains a photocopy of a tintype that displays Michael Lally with his daughters. Original print is in the collection of Joseph McDonough.
Series V: Miscellaneous Secondary Materials
These materials include a newspaper article on the collection at Brandeis University and an undergraduate student paper
Series VI: Certificate
Includes one 1861 certificate from Military Division of the Adjutant General's Office, War Records Section, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Related Materials
Information about related materials is available at Special Collections Spotlight: Michael Lally Civil War Letters
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Detailed Description of the Collection
| Correspondence |
| 1 |
Alexandria, PA, July 26, 1861 |
| 2 |
Camp Union, PA, October 22, 1861 |
| 3 |
Camp Baker, MD, November 14, 1861 (berry ink) |
| 4 |
Camp Baker, MD, December 2, 1861 |
| 5 |
Camp Baker, MD, January 9, 1862 |
| 6 |
Camp Baker, MD, January 20, 1861 (i.e., 1862) |
| 7 |
Camp Baker, MD, February 8, 1862 |
| 8 |
Camp Baker, MD, February 13, 1862 |
| 9 |
Camp Baker, MD, February 18, 1862 |
| 10 |
Charles County (Near Budd. Ferry, MD), March 25, 1862 |
| 11 |
Near Yorktown, VA, April 13, 1862 |
| 12 |
Near Yorktown, VA, May 2, 1862 |
| 13 |
Williamsburgh, VA, May 8, 1862 |
| 14 |
Near Richmond, VA, May 21, 1862 |
| 15 |
Fair Oaks Station, VA, June 12, 1862 |
| 16 |
Fair Oaks Station, VA, June [?] 20, 1862 |
| 17 |
Harrison's Landing, July 11, 1862 |
| 18 |
Harrison's Landing, August 10, 1862 |
| 19 |
Fort Loyons[?], VA, September 11, 1862 |
| 20 |
Arlington Heights, VA, September 16, 1862 |
| 21 |
Virginia, October 28, 1862 |
| 22 |
Falmouth, VA, December 3, 1862 |
| 23 |
Near Falmouth, VA, December 22, 1862 |
| 24 |
Near Falmouth, VA, January 3, 1863 |
| 25 |
Virginia, January 16, 1863 |
| 26 |
Virginia, January 31, 1863 |
| 27 |
Virginia, February 10, 1863 |
| 28 |
Virginia, March 2, 1863 |
| 29 |
Virginia, March 30, 1863 |
| 30 |
Virginia, April 13, 1863 |
| 31 |
Virginia, April 21, 1863 |
| 32 |
Virginia, May 11, 1863 |
| 33 |
Virginia, May 25, 1863 |
| 34 |
Near Martinbourgh, MD, July 15, 1863 |
| 35 |
Near Rappaneck Station, MD, August 10, 1863 |
| 36 |
Near Rappaneck Station, MD, September 14, 1864 |
| 37 |
Near Culpepper, VA, September 20, 1863 |
| 38 |
Near Culpepper, VA, September 27, 1863 |
| 39 |
Near Culpepper, VA, October 3, 1863 |
| 40 |
Near Culpepper, VA, October 5, 1863 |
| 41 |
Near Beatton Station, VA, November 2, 1863 |
| 42 |
Near Brandy Station, VA, November 23, 1863 |
| 43 |
At Brandy Station, VA, December 24, 1863 |
| 44 |
Near Brandy Station, VA, January 20, 1864 |
| 45 |
Near Brandy Station, VA, February 13, 1864 |
| 46 |
Near Brandy Station, VA, February 23, 1864 |
| 47 |
Brandy Station, VA, March 28, 1864 |
| 48 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, October 17, 1864 |
| 49 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, October 31, 1864 |
| 50 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, November 1, 1864 |
| 51 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, November 29, 1864 |
| 52 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, December 4, 1864 |
| 53 |
unknown location, December 13, 1864 |
| 54 |
unknown location, December 20, 1864 |
| 55 |
Near Petersbourgh, VA, January 27, 1865 |
| 56 |
Near Burks Station, VA, April 16, 1865 |
| 57 |
Camp of the 11th Mass Col., June 6, 1865 |
| Other |
| 1 |
Prayer for Protection, undated |
| 2 |
Letter from John Lally, August 1, 1864 |
| 3 |
The Boston Almanac for 1862, 1862 |
| Facsimiles of Government Documents |
| 1 |
Folder of Facsimile Documents relating to Michael Lally, undated |
| Photograph |
| 1 |
Photocopy of a tintype of Michael Lally with daughters, undated |
| Miscellaneous Secondary |
| 1 |
"Brandeis Salutes a Fighting Irish Immigrant," Boston Globe, March 11, 1962 |
| 2 |
Paper by Frederick Daley IV, Brandeis Undergraduate, May 3, 2006 |
| Certificate |
| 1 |
Certificate from Military Division of the Adjutant General's Office, War Records Section, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1861 |
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