urn:taro:rice.wrc.00044 Guide to Neumann Family Papers, 1850-1955, bulk 1856-1886 Inventory updated by Sharon Link Woodson Research Center
Houston, TX
August 2002 Finding aid encoded by Robert Estep February 2003 Finding aid written in English. 20030506 Edited with XMetaL 3 by Philip Montgomery according to instructions in <emph>TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions</emph>. Descriptive Summary Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX Neumann, Emil. Neumann Family Papers Span Dates: 1850-1955 Bulk Dates: 1856-1886 40 letters Chiefly letters to Louisa (Neumann) Bering, a resident of Houston, Tex., from her brothers and sisters, including letters from her brother, Emil Neumann, describing his service in the Confederate Army, stationed at Fort Eagle Grove (Fort Moore) and Galveston, Tex.; together with clippings and photos. Includes material relating to land in Texas, Bering family, and Little Rock, Ark., during the Civil War. MS 241 Materials are in English. Biographical Note

The collection consists of letters written mainly to Louisa Neumann (later Mrs. Charles H. Bering) in Houston, by her brothers and sisters. Of greatest interest are the 12 letters written by her brother Emil from 1862-64. Emil, a member of the Confederate Army, was stationed at Fort Eagle Grove, Pelican Battery, and Galveston. In a letter to Louisa written from Galveston on January 7, 1863, he described a battle in which he was in charge of cannon "near the brick warehouse" on The Strand. He witnessed the capture of the vessel "Harriet Lane" and the escape of her companion ships, the "Orosco" and the "Clifton." In a letter written four days later, he mentioned the five vessels then lying off the island, which "shot over one hundred shots into town." We do not know the names of these ships, but presumably they were Union vessels, as they were firing into Galveston which was then held by the Confederates.

 Scope and Contents

The collection consists of ca. 40 handwritten letters, photographs, documents and newspaper clippings covering the time period 1850-1955. Chiefly letters to Louisa (Neumann) Bering, a resident of Houston, Tex., from her brothers and sisters, including letters from her brother, Emil Neumann, describing his service in the Confederate Army, stationed at Fort Eagle Grove (Fort Moore) and Galveston, Tex.; together with clippings and photos. Includes material relating to land in Texas, Bering family, and Little Rock, Ark., during the Civil War. The letters are in fair condition; some are faded and several are torn. They have been placed in mylar sleeves for protection.

 Organization

The collection is divided into 2 series:

Series I: Letters, 1850-1890 Series II: Clippings, deeds, and photographs, 1872-1955 Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions but permission to publish from the Neumann Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Neumann, Emil--Correspondence. Bering, Louisa Neumann--Correspondence. Bering family. Organizations Confederate States of America. Army. Subjects Real property--Texas. Fortification--Texas. Women--Texas--History--19th century. Women--Texas--Social conditions--19th century. Deeds--Texas. Military architecture--Texas. Places Fort Moore (Tex.) Galveston (Tex.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Houston (Tex.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Texas--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Little Rock (Ark.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Arkansas--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Document Types Correspondence. Photographs. Clippings. Preferred Citation

Neumann Family Papers, 1850-1955, MS 241, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University

 Acquisitions Information

The collection was a gift from Mr. Charles H. Thomsen, received October 12, 1976.

 Detailed Descripton of the Collection

The Neumann Family papers have been arranged in two series: Series I. Letters, 1850-1890, and Series II. Clippings, deeds, and photographs, 1872-1955.

Series I: Letters, 1850-1890. 1 1 Paul Neumann to Members of His Family, 1856-1862 1 2 To Sister Louisa from Anna King, 1884-1886 1 3 To Louisa Neumann from Various People, c. 1850-1884 1 4 Emil Neumann to Family Members, 1857-1864 1 5 Miscellaneous Letters, 1982, 1890, n.d. Series II: Clippings, deeds and photographs, 1872-1955. 1 6 News Clippings, Deeds, Photographs, Other Material re: the Neumann and Bering Families, 1872-1955