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.