Joseph E. Shaw Collection
38th New York Volunteer Infantry
Donated by Robert Gritman
Joseph E. Shaw was 19 years old when he enlisted on 5/11/1861 at New York City, NY as a Private. On 6/3/1861 he mustered into "F" Co. NY 38th Infantry.
He died of disease on 7/21/1862 at David's Island, NY Harbor
This is a collection of letters and other materials relating to him and his brother Edward Shaw who was a recruiter for the Union Army during the Civil War.
| Letters from Joseph E. Shaw |
| # |
Date |
To |
Place |
Summary |
| 1 |
18 July 1860 |
Gus
& Ed |
Stamford, CT |
Concerns his need for monetary support. |
| 2 |
22 June 1861 |
Ed |
Washington |
Describes trip from New York through Baltimore to Washington |
| 3 |
23 June 1861 |
Ed |
Camp, near DC |
Describes scouting mission |
| 4 |
August 13 & 15, 1861 |
Ed |
Camp near Alexandria, VA |
Writes about confusion among Regiment regarding length of enlistment, Ellsworth |
| 5 |
no date |
Ed |
|
Family matters, sends money home to be used by his mother and Edward |
| 6 |
13 Nov. 1861 |
Ed |
Camp Scott |
Home matters, McClellan assuming command of the Army of the Potomac |
| 7 |
21 Nov 1861 |
Ed |
Camp Scott |
Describes camp life, asks questions about home |
| 8 |
19 Dec 1861 |
Ed |
Camp, near DC |
Discusses camp life and skirmishes between scouting parties |
| 9 |
30 Jan 1862 |
Ed |
Camp, near DC |
Camp life, his illness and inquires about the health of their mother |
| 10 |
5 Feb 1862 |
Ed |
Camp, near DC |
Asks about health of mother and brother, talks about possibility of seeking a commission |
| 11 |
17 Feb 1862 |
|
|
Furlough granted to Joseph Shaw to travel to Carmel, NY |
| 12 |
14 Mar 1862 |
Ed |
Camp, near DC |
Discussed preparations to advance to Peninsula. |
| 13 |
No date |
Ed |
Hampton Creek |
Trip from Washington to Hampton Creek on Peninsula, describes the Monitor and includes sketch of it |
| 14 |
26 Mar 1862 |
Ed. & others |
Camp Hamilton |
Describes Camp Hamilton and Fortress Monroe, includes two drawings of camp |
| 15 |
2 Apr 1862 |
Ed |
|
Describes the advance on Richmond, includes signed photograph of Capt. George W. Mindil. |
| 16 |
7 Apr 1862 |
Ed |
Near Yorktown |
Talks about the advance on Yorktown |
| 17 |
13 Apr 1862 |
Ed |
Near Yorktown |
Describes the Battle of Yorktown |
| 18 |
1 Jun 1862 |
Ed |
Fair Oaks |
Order by Col. Allanson to bury casualties from the Battle of Fair Oaks (aka Battle of Seven Pines) |
| 19 |
No date |
Ed |
|
Discusses his change from Brigade to Regimental Clerk, relates his involvement in the Battle of Fair Oaks |
| 20 |
7 Jun 1862 |
Ed |
|
Talks about the arrest and court-martial of Gen. Birney and desertion of Pvt. Isaac (Ike) Lockwood |
| 21 |
No date |
|
|
Draft of letter from the officers of the 38th to the commanding officer (Col. Hobart Ward) |
| 22 |
16 Jun 1862 |
Ed |
Camp Near Fair Oaks |
Further discussion regarding desertion of Isaac Lockwood, the battle of Fair Oaks. Includes sketch of the battle. |
| 23 |
20 Jun 1862 |
Ed |
Camp Near Fair Oaks |
Discusses Isaac Lockwood's desertion and Joseph's position as Regimental clerk. |
| 24 |
27 Jun 1862 |
Ed |
|
Describes skirmish on the 25th (Battle of Oak Grove). Also includes a 50 cent Confederate note which was a gift to his brother. |
| 25 |
4 Jul 1862 |
|
|
Order issued by Brower Gesner, Regimental Asst. Surgeon, directing Joseph Shaw to report to the Division Hospital. |
| 26 |
No date |
|
|
Pass allowing bearer to leave David's Island for New York |
| 27 |
11 Jul 1862 |
|
|
Telegram from Edward to their mother advising her of Joseph's condition. |
| 28 |
15 Jul 1862 |
Ed |
New York |
Two letters both to Ed. One from George advising him of Joseph's condition and one from Joseph |
| 29 |
19 Jul 1862 |
Ed |
David's Island |
Letter from George discussing Joseph's deteriorating condition. |
| 30 |
21 Jul 1862 |
Ed |
|
Telegram from George stating the Joseph is dead |
| 31 |
21 Jul 1862 |
|
|
Death Certificate |
| 32 |
22 Jul 1862 |
|
|
Telegram concerning arrival of Joseph's body. |
| 33 |
1 Aug 1862 |
Ed |
Harrison's Landing |
Letter from SGT William Norris of the 38th in response to Edward's request for Joseph's personel effects. |
| 34 |
No date |
|
|
Offical Individual Record of Officers and Enlisted Men |
| Items pertaining to Edward Shaw |
| # |
Summary |
| 1 |
Indenture of Apprenticeship agreement between Edward Shaw and James Little June 01, 1853 |
| 2 |
letter from James D. Little to Edward Shaw Feb. 01, 1861 |
| 3 |
Order directing Adam Mattice to appear before court martial Dec. 10, 1860 |
| 4 |
Note to Corp. Edward Shaw regarding court martial of Adam W. Mattice Dec. 12, 1860 |
| 5 |
General Order 1 Head Quarters 2nd Division NYSM Jan. 28 1861 |
| 6 |
order to Edward Shaw directing his command to appear on parade June 12, 1861 |
| 7 |
Order to members of Engineer Co. 18 NYSM announcing parade Dec. 23, 1861 |
| 8 |
Descriptive List of George VanDusen (drummer Co. I 38 NYV) |
| 9 |
Descriptive List of Robert Murtagh (Pvt. Co. F 38 NYV) |
| 10 |
Note certifying Edward Shaw as recruiting officer signed by Ambrose Ryder Sept. 04, 1862 |
| 11 |
Special Order authorizing Edward Shaw to serve as recruiting officer Sept. 05, 1862 |
| 12 |
Special Order authorizing Edward Shaw to serve as recruiting officer Sept. 08, 1862 |
| 13 |
letter written by Ambrose Ryder authorizing Edward Shaw and John Purdy to serve as recruitment officers Sept. 06, 1862 |
| 14 |
Bill submitted by Edward Shaw and John Purdy for expenses incurred during recruitment Nov. 15, 1862 |
| 15 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Charles Cole Sept. 06, 1862 |
| 16 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Charles Cole Sept. 06, 1862 |
| 17 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Charles Cole Sept. 06, 1862 |
| 18 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Francis Booth Sept. 09, 1862 |
| 19 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Francis Booth Sept. 09, 1862 |
| 20 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Francis Booth Sept. 09, 1862 |
| 21 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Francis Booth Sept. 09, 1862 |
| 22 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for James E. Smalley Sept. 09, 1862 |
| 23 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Langdon R. Daniels Sept. 11, 1862 |
| 24 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Langdon R. Daniels Sept. 11, 1862 |
| 25 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Langdon R. Daniels Sept. 11, 1862 |
| 26 |
Volunteer Enlistment form for Daniel (?) incomplete no date |
| 27 |
List of recruits including Charles Cole and Francis Booth |
| 28 |
Blank uncompleted form Descriptive List of Recruits |
| 29 |
Blank uncompleted Volunteer Enlistment form |
| 30 |
Blank uncompleted Individual Record of Officers and Enlisted Men |
| 31 |
Blank uncompleted Individual Record of Officers and Enlisted Men |
| 32 |
Blank uncompleted Individual Record of Officers and Enlisted Men |
| 33 |
Enrollment paper of Edward Shaw in Co. "S&M" 18 NYSM |
| 34 |
blank contractual form from George Woodman offering his services to process military compensation claims |
| 35 |
July 20, 1859 edition of the National Star |
| 36 |
September 13, 1862 edition of The Putnam County Courier |
| 37 |
print of "Selim the Interpreter" |
| 38 |
April 16, 1864 edition of The Putnam County Courier |
| 39 |
December 1866 edition of The Native Wine Press |
| 40 |
list of "75 Valuable Recipes" |
Originals are available at the museum.
