Search Term Record

Metadata

Name

Moore Letters

Details

This collection was originally labeled as the "William M. Moore Letters." The collection is housed in one box with seven folders of original civil war letters and a folder of military records relating to William M. Moore, the Union Solider that originally enlisted with the New York Engineers before becoming an officer with the United States Colored Troops. The military papers in this folder correspond with the William Moore that died at the Battle of New Market Heights on September 29, 1864.

While in the process of transcribing the letters, it became evident that the collection was actually comprised of letters from two different William Moores that both fought in the Union Army. The two Moores have different handwriting, use different names for family members, and sign their names differently. The letters in folders 1 through 4 were from Will Moore, as he signs his name, a Pennsylvania soldier in the 119th PVI. Will Moore lives past the Battle of New Market Heights as there are letters from him dated through the end of the war in 1865. The letters in folders 5 through 7 were from William M. Moore, a New York Engineer and later officer with the USCTs. William W. Moore’s affiliation with the 38th Regiment of the USCT matches military records on file and his letters stop after the date of his death, confirming his identity.

Will Moore wrote about 46 letters home between summer 1862 and summer 1865, mostly to his mother. He was a part of the 119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

William W. Moore wrote around 29 letters home between summer 1862 and summer 1865, mostly to his sisters Mary and Mollie [sometimes spelt "Molly,"], his brother, and his mother. He enlisted on August 15, 1862 with the 50th New York Engineers. In 1864, William became a 2nd Lieutenant in the 38th Regiment United States Colored Troops and fought in the Battle of New Market Heights, where he died in battle.