Guide to the Peleg Bradford Papers

Special Collections Department
Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono, ME

Summary Information: 

Collection title: Peleg Bradford Papers
Collection number: MS 68

Dates of Collection: 1862-1865

Size of collection: 1 box

Biographical Information:

Peleg Bradford was born in 1841. He joined the 18th Maine voluntary Infantry (later 1st Maine Heavy Artillery) and was mustered in on August 21, 1862 at Bangor. The Regiment left Bangor for Washington D.C., August 24, 1862. They served in the defense of Washington D.C. until May 15, 1864, when they were assigned to the Army of the Potomac. During June 16-18, 1864, the Regiment participated in the assault on Petersburg. Bradford was wounded on the 17th of June. His leg was amputated and he spent the balance of the war in the hospital. He was discharged with the regiment Sep 20, 1865. Bradford married Eliza C. McPherson, Oct 7, 1866. He became a selectman of Carmel and ran a sawmill. He died in 1918 or 1919. His brother, Owen, was killed at Petersburg at age 16 years, 8 months.

Contents:

These papers consist of Peleg Bradford's letters to friends and family during his time as a soldier in the Civil War. Collection also includes typewritten copies of the original letters.

Provenance:

Gift of M. Richard S. Bradford of Orono, ME.  December, 1984.

Arrangement: 

Letters arranged chronologically. 

Finding Aid: 

Cage Box 77

Finding Aids for selected manuscript collections in the Special Collections Department at Fogler Library are accessible online in URSUS, in a browsable Guide to Manuscript Collections, and in a keyword searchable database. Please contact Special Collections at spc@umit.maine.edu or (207) 581-1686 for further information.

Revised: 08/06/2009