The Joseph E. Shaw Collection - 38th New York Infantry Regiment

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.