Research Arsenal

04/03/2026

Does anybody know exactly where the 119th PA fought at Chancellorsville in May of 1863?

04/03/2026

Need research help!

Another Archival day! Yay! We came across this note in the 210th PA infantry clothing ledger that said the individual at the top of the page might be related to President Eisenhower! Anyone out there who can run this down?

04/03/2026

The Angry Archivist returns after watching an unboxing video of a 1909 time capsule with the Governor of Colorado.

The Angry Archivist hasn't had too much to be angry about lately, but a recent Colorado unboxing video of a time capsule changed all that. In the past I've

04/02/2026

We wish to apologize for any confusion from our post yesterday on April 1st about creative ways to make your collection of historic documents more exciting through origami. Our "Inept Archivist" has been let go. Please do not make origami art from your collections.

04/01/2026

Civil War collectors are often surrounded by lots of old documents. And let's face it--that is BORING. Just old flat paper that just sits there. Sits there in filing cabinets or archival boxes where you can't even see it. And if you can see them, they are always framed flat. Where's the fun in that? How can you liven up your collection of old paper?

How about origami? It's a fun traditional papercraft that turns boring flat pieces of paper into beautiful works of art. Just like this stunning crane made from some old letter written by some guy named Grant or something. What was once a boring piece of paper is now a lovely work of art to feature in your living room or office.

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03/31/2026

Gustavus Gould was born in 1843 to Joseph Gould and Lucinda (Sanders) Gould of Montpelier, Vermont. He enlisted in Company E of the 17th Vermont Infantry on February 24, 1864. The regiment finished organizing in late April, 1864 and was assigned to the 9th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

Gustavus Gould’s letters in our Research Arsenal collection begin on a serious note. On December 18, 1864 Gustavus Gould wrote home to his father from the Guard House at City Point, Virginia.

“I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know where I am. I am here in the guard house. They have sent me here as a deserter. I don’t see how they can make out desertion against me for you know that I was arrested before my furlough was out and was right there at home.”

While there aren’t any more details about how he ended up being arrested for desertion while on furlough, evidently he was able to clear things up relatively quickly because his next letter was written from Fort Davis, Virginia, in January, 1865, where he had returned to his regiment. After writing about small occurrences to his brother, Jerome, Gustavus Gould then addressed his parents.

“I suppose you and father have worried yourselves a great deal about me and I don’t wonder at it for I had a hard road to travel but never mind that. Trouble is all over with now so I hope you won’t worry anymore for I am alright now and I shall come home again sometime. Perhaps the time will not be long before I shall be there.”

Gustavus Gould was born in 1843 to Joseph Gould and Lucinda (Sanders) Gould of Montpelier, Vermont. He enlisted in Company E of the 17th Vermont Infantry on

03/27/2026

This week for our What's it Wednesday, we asked you to identify the weapons in this photo. They are:
Knife: Bowie
Pistol: C**t pocket ('49)
Pistol: Mass. Arms Co. Adams patent
Pistol: Pepperbox
Shotgun: Double-barreled

This photograph shows Sergeant Andrew Chandler of the 44th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Co. F., and Silas Chandler, family slave. When Andrew enlisted, Silas was forced to join him for his service. Andrew was wounded at Chickamauga and doctors wished to amputate his leg. Silas argued against the amputation and was able to bring Andrew home where local doctors were able to save his leg. However, because of the injury, Andrew was out of the service.

Andrew's younger brother, Benjamin enlisted in the 9th Mississippi Cavalry in 1864, and once again, Silas was brough along in the service. Briefly attached to Jefferson Davis' es**rt, eventually Benjamin and Silas surrendered in Washington, GA to the Union Army in May of 1865.

You can read an excellent article on Silas and the Chandler brothers by Ron Coddington here: https://archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/a-slaves-service-in-the-confederate-army/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

To see the fully tagged photo: https://app.researcharsenal.com/imageSingleView/3361

03/26/2026

Can you believe it's been a year since the Angry Archivist first appeared on our blog?!? I haven't had many things to rant about lately, but that is a good thing! Keep taking good care of those collections! 😊

Tracing Civil War history by damaging historic documents with ballpoint pen and acidic tape causes irreversible damage to archival materials.

03/25/2026

For our What's it Wednesday this week, can you identify the weapons in this famous photo? Post your guesses below and check back Friday for the answer and more information on the photograph!

03/23/2026

A few weeks ago we highlighted our collection of letters by Joseph Vaill, this week our focus is on his brother, Theodore Vaill of the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery.

Theodore Vaille was born in 1832 to Reverend Herman Vaill and Flora (Gold) Vaill of Litchfield Connecticut. He originally enlisted in the 19th Connecticut Infantry in 1862. On November 23, 1863, the 19th Connecticut Infantry was redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery.

Before becoming the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery, the 19th Connecticut Infantry spent most of its service as part of the defenses for Washington, D.C. On November 29, 1862, Theodore Vaill wrote home about his current duty of guarding large amounts of commissary stores.

“I am on guard from 10 till 12 tonight in a building as long as from our west barn to John Plumb’s, and filled with boxes of nothing but Army bread. All I have to do is to sit here with a light, or stand here, and protect this mountain of bread on a box of which I am now sitting. Three [civilian] watchmen are here besides, but I am here, I suppose, to represent the military power of the government.

Wm. Hull is doing similar duty in a precisely similar building only his charge consists of several thousand barrels of pork, beef, coffee, rice, sugar, & molasses. You would think by the squealing & galloping & clawing & nibbling that the rats were trying to carry off the whole vast concern. We like this duty better than being in camp & we hope to stay here a long time yet.”

A few weeks ago we highlighted our collection of letters by Joseph Vaill, this week our focus is on his brother, Theodore Vaill of the 2nd Connecticut Heavy

03/20/2026

This week for our What's it Wednesday, we asked you to identify which Union Army Corps was in the photo as well as any other representations of the corps symbol aside from the flag. This photo is of General William Hawley and his staff, of the 20th Corps. The hat badges are maybe a little easy to spot, but did you see the soldier with the 20th Corps pin?

Photo: https://app.researcharsenal.com/imageSingleView/67201
General William Hawley and staff, Washington, District of Columbia. Taken July 1865.

03/19/2026

The Research Arsenal is proud to be digitizing and adding historical records of Civil War regiments held at the National Archives to our online database so that researchers and historians can access material that previously required a trip to Washington D.C. The 4th New Jersey Infantry is one of the many regiments whose Records Group 94 files have been added to our database.

By 1864, Capern's letters show that the men of the 4th New Jersey Infantry were no longer new soldiers. They were veterans—hardened by years of campaigning.