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G. Horace Tarr Letter,

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1987-028

Scope and Content

The G. Horace Tarr Letter collection contains a letter dated May 4, 1863, giving a detailed eye-witness account of the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Dates

  • Creation: 1863 - 1863

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from G. Horace Tarr Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical Information

G. Horace Tarr (also Horace G. Tarr and Horace G. H. Tarr) was born about 1844 in Missouri. He enlisted with Company K. 20th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry Volunteers in September 1862, around the age 17. Following Chancellorville, he was promoted to Sergeant Major; following Gettysburg, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He later served as Captain of Company F during the Atlanta campaign. He mustered out June 13, 1865. Following the war, Tarr worked as a engineer and manager for a series of businesses, including two iron companies (an industry in which his family was well established) and later, Otis Elevator Co., and several water utilities. By 1886, he was married with six children. Tarr died on March 2, 1922, at his home in Philadelphia. Although 78 years old at the time, he was still actively employed with the R. D. Wood & Co.

Tarr's name appears in 1863 and 1885 correspondence between Walt Whitman and his brother, Thomas Jefferson Whitman that suggests the Whitmans were on friendly terms with Moses Lane (1823-1882) (Tarr's uncle), and later Tarr himself.

Full Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The G. Horace Tarr Letter, written May 4, 1863, gives a detailed eye-witness account of the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Acquisition Information

The G. Horace Tarr Letter was acquired by Special Collection prior to 1987.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the G. Horace Tarr Letter was completed in 1987. Additional description was completed in April 2011.

Title
G. Horace Tarr Letter, 1863
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Staff
Date
© 2014 Virginia Tech. All rights reserved.
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308