Back to brief guide| William L. Clements Library
The University of Michigan Tarbell, Doctor, b. 1838 Papers |
The Tarbell Papers contain the correspondence of the straight-laced Doctor Tarbell of Groton, NY. It covers a period from his war time service in the Union Army to his post war career. The Civil War letters form a remarkably dense series that highlights the intimate relationship of Tarbell and his fianc´e. This collection is very unusual in that both sides of the correspondence are present.
Doctor Tarbell enlisted in the 32nd New York Infantry on February 15, 1862 and served as a commissary in the Army of the Potomac until his discharge on July 27, 1865. He entered as a first Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain (1862.11.26) and Bvt Major (1865.07.27). Both Tarbell and his fiancee, Mary Conant, write in an unusually literary style, and they seem to have had a very affectionate relationship. At the beginning of this series, between January and February, 1864, both Tarbell and Conant write almost exclusively of their relationship, however as the Army of the Potomac moves southward, both writers' letters begin to focus more on the progress of the war, and both writers assume a more fervently committed Patriotic tone.
Mary's letters are enlivened by occasional political asides ('Does the Army weary of Gen. Meade, or is it politicians & aspirants that wish to oust him?' 1864.03.13), patriotic bellicosities, references to life at home during war-time, and she includes a few extended lyrical passages. Her pro-Union sentiments come across, at times, as almost fanatical, but her letters are enjoyable and chocked with vivid vignettes.
In his returns to Mary, Tarbell finds space to refer to military matters, his work as a commissary and army morale. At times his patriotism and pride in his commission shine through (as during the inspection by Gen. Grant, 1864.04.18). In a few letters, Tarbell allows himself to expand at greater length on the drive to Richmond, with details of his movements, what he knows of the progress of the war, the actions of the 6th Cavalry Corps, and his encounters with Southern civilians. Tarbell was captured by Confederate cavalry near Winchester, Va., shortly after September 6, 1864, and sent first to Libby Prison, to Salisbury, N.C., and finally to Danville, Va., where he remained until he was 'paroled' before May 1, 1865. Somewhat mysteriously, he married Mary om March 14, 1865, during the period of his imprisonment. After the war, Tarbell appears to have enrolled at Cornell.
Other letters in the collection include a few written to Tarbell by his parents and several to Mary Conant from relatives. Letters written to Mary during Tarbell's imprisonment are filled with sympathy and encouragement; others more commonly concern family news. One of the more interesting of these is a letter from Mary's niece, Hattie Carpenter (apparently a child), from Iowa describing the return of soldiers; and a Nov. 18, 1866 letter from Mary A.E. Wages to Miss Hardy requesting funds to establish a freedman's 'high school'in Richmond. 'The black people of Richmond are the only loyal people in the whole city...They not only need help, but are worthy objects of it.' The series of 13 letters from 1881 suggests that the Tarbell's were in some unspecified financial difficulty, and that he had been employed as a typewriter agent.
Back to brief guide Homepage |  Manuscripts |  Collections |  Staff |  Hours and policies |
|---|