urn:taro:rice.wrc.00087 Guide to the James F. Grimes Letters, 1863-1864 Inventory prepared by Joan Ferry Woodson Research Center
Rice University, Houston, Texas
2003 Finding aid encoded by Mandy York , Fondren Library 10172003 Finding aid written inEnglish. 10182003 Edited with XMetal 3 by Mandy York, according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. Collection Summary Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX Grimes, James F. James F. Grimes Letters 1863-1864 27 letters Letters of James F. Grimes, a Union soldier of the 17th U.S. Infantry during the Civil War (1861-1865), written to Sarah A. Jones while Grimes was stationed mainly in Virginia near Warrenton and Culpepper, mentioning camp life and current events, but primarily of a more personal and affectionate nature. MS 105 Materials are in English. Biographical Note

Little is known about James F. Grimes, a Union soldier of the 17th U.S. Infantry during the Civil War (1861-1865), other than comments found in his letters. He was apparently from Hillsboro, New Hampshire, and joined the army prior to January 1863, assigned to a regiment stationed in Virginia in which he held officer’s rank as Captain and was involved for a time in the Recruitment Service. He was later promoted to second in command of his regiment as Acting Lt. Colonel and mentions serving on Court Martial cases. In early 1864 he returned to Hillsboro on leave for three weeks, apparently spending much time with Sarah Jones (his correspondent) and her family. In March 1864, the Army of the Potomac was reorganized and Grimes’s brigade became the 3rd Brigade 1st Division of the 3rd Corps, commanded by General Warren. Grimes was promoted to Field Officer shortly afterward (for which he notes he was given a horse to ride), and was frequently in charge of his regiment in the absence of the commanding officer. By the date of his last letter (June 15, 1864), he and Sarah Jones were evidently planning to be married upon his return.

Scope and Contents

The James F. Grimes Letters consist of 27 letters hand-written in ink and pencil, dating from January 5, 1862 to June 15, 1864, all written to Miss Sarah A. Jones of Hillsboro, New Hampshire. In addition to the personal and affectionate material addressed to his correspondent, the letters include comments about army camp life, weather and conditions while on march and during times of battle, and observations about the Virginia countryside and the condition of civilians in regions heavily damaged by the war.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged in chronological order.

 Restrictions on Access

This material is open for research.

 Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from the James F. Grimes Letters must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Jones, Sara A. Grimes, James F. Subjects (Organizations) United States. Army. 17th U.S. Infantry. United States. Army. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Corps, 1st Division. United States. Army of the Potomac. Places United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865 Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Campaigns. Document Types: Correspondence. Related Materials

See also other Civil War era collections in the Woodson Research Center.

 Preferred Citation

James F. Grimes Letters, 1863-1864, MS105, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University

 Provenance

The James F. Grimes Letters were purchased in 1962.

 Detailed Description of the Collection 1863 Letters 1 1863 January 5; Catletts Station, Virginia 1 1863 August 2 ; Ogdensburgh, New York 1 1863 September 22; Alexandria, Va. 1 1863 September 23; Culpepper, Va. 1 1863 September 27; Culpepper, Va. 1 1863 October 1; Culpepper, Va. 1 1863 October 3; Culpepper, Va. 1 1863 October 21; New Baltimore, Va 1 1863 October 25; On march between New Baltimore and Bristow Station 1 1863 October 29; Auburn, Va. 1 1863 November 5; Catletts Station, Va. 1 1863 December 14 Bealton Station, Va. 1864 Letters 1 1864 January 13; Catletts Station, Va. 1 1864 January 17; Catletts Station, Va. 1 1864 January 27; Catletts Station, Va. 1 1864 March 13; Washington, D.C. 1 1864 March 14; Washington, D.C. 1 1864 March 21; Nokesville, Va. 1 1 1 1 1 1