| Scope and content |
Personal Correspondence (December 30, 1861-September 16, 1862; April 1863) written by William Wilberforce Douglas to his family members during his service in the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers and in General Ambrose Burnside's Expeditionary Corps in North Carolina. Letters, copied by his mother, Sarah Sawyer Douglas, from originals into a single bound journal, include references to his time at the battles of Roanoke Island, New Bern, and Fort Macon. Additionally, the journal includes newspaper clippings accounting his exploits in the war. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
William Wilberforce Douglas Papers (#1192), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Purchase (Special Manuscript Fund) from Carmen D. Valentino, , . |
| Biographical note | William Wilberforce Douglas (1841-1929) served for three years Fifth Regiment of the Rhode Island Volunteer Heavy Artillery during the American Civil War. After the war, he received a law degree, served in the Rhode Island General Assembly, served in the Providence city council, was elected state senator, became an associate Justice of the State Supreme Court in, and later Chief Justice.. |
