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William Remmel Papers

Letters and Papers, 1862-1924 (predominately 1862-1864)

Manuscript collection MC 597

Information about William Remmel
Information about the Collection
Contents of Collection (20 folders)

WILLIAM REMMEL

William Remmel (22 February 1843 - ? October 1864) was born in Hermicke, (near Cologne), Germany. His father, Gottlieb Remmel, emigrated to America in 1849 and gained employment as a tanner in Stratford, Fulton County, New York. His wife (Henrietta Bever) and five children joined him in Stratford in 1851. Two more children were born after the family settled in the United States.

In 1854 the Remmel family home was destroyed by fire and they moved to Devereaux, Herkimer County, New York. William Remmel and his four brothers received their education at the Fairfield Seminary in Fairfield, New York. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, William Remmel enlisted in Company I of the 121st Regiment of the New York Volunteer Infantry. Wounded and captured by Confederate forces at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, he was sent to Andersonville Prison where he died. The exact date of his death was never established.

THE COLLECTION

Letters and papers pertaining to William Remmel were donated to Special Collections by Mr. Harmon L. Remmel, Jr. of Fayetteville, Arkansas, March 8, 1986.

Several different types of material are included among the papers: thirteen letters concern attempts on the part of William Remmel's family to ascertain his fate after the war; seven letters and documents describe his family's efforts to obtain his back pay; six letters and documents pertain to his mother's attempts to be awarded a pension as the dependent mother of a Civil War casualty; six items relate to William Remmel's days as a student at Fairfield academy; and ten miscellaneous letters and documents include such items as the songs sung at his funeral, a memorial poster of his regiment, and one letter from his brother Caleb Leopold Remmel to his parents.

Related material in Special Collections includes:

Processed by Leon C. Miller, August 1986. Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

CONTENTS OF COLLECTION (20 folders)

Folder 1. Correspondence, February 9, 1862 - September 22, 1862.
1. February 9, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
2. April 19, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
3. May 30, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
4. July 6, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
5. August 31, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (New York, New York) to parents.
6. September 7, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Washington, D.C,) to parents.
7. September 14, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (Maryland) to parents.
8. September 22, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Williamsport, Maryland) to parents.
Folder 2. Correspondence, October 8, 1862 - December 2l, 1862.
1. October 8, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Bakersville, Maryland) to parents.
2. October 20, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Bakersville, Maryland) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
3. October 26, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Bakersville, Maryland) to parents.
4. November 8, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Whiteplains, Virginia) to parents.
5. November 15, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Warrenton, Virginia) to parents.
6. November 29, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Stafford Courthouse, Virginia) to sister (unknown).
7. December 18, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near Fredericksburg, Virginia) to "Brother William" (unknown).
8. December 21, 1862. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 3. Correspondence, January 6, 1863 - May 5, 1863.
1. January 5, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
2. January 18, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
3. February 16, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
4. February 18, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
5. March 27, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
6. April 5, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
7. April 21, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
8. April 28, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
9. May 1, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (no place) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
10. May 5, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (above Falmouth, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 4. Correspondence, May 16, 1863 - June 20, 1863.
1. May 16, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
2. May 19, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
3. May 24, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
4. June 1, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near White Oak Church, Virginia) to parents.
5. June 7, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
6. June 12, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia) to parents.
7. June 17, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfax Station, Virginia) to parents.
8. June 20, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
9. June [2], 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Fairfax Courthouse, Virginia) to brother (Caleb Leopold Remmel).
Folder 5. Correspondence, July 3, 1863 - September 12, 1863.
1. July 3, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (2 miles south of Washington, D.C.) to brother (Caleb Leopold Remmel).
2. July 17, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Baslin [?], Maryland) to parents.
3. August 11, 1863. 1 ALS, 3 p. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
4. August 12, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to brother (Caleb Leopold Remmel).
5. August 26, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
6. September 7, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to parents.
7. September 11, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to "Brother".
8. September 12, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near New Baltimore, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 6. Correspondence, October 9, 1863 - November 9, 1863.
1. October 9, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Rapidan, Virginia) to parents.
2. October 16, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (in the field, seven miles south of Centerville, Virginia) to parents.
3. October 17, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Centerville, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
4. October 26, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Warrenton, Virginia) to brother (Charles R. [middle name unknown] Remmel).
5. October 28, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Warrenton, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
6. November 4, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Warrenton, Virginia) to parents.
7. November 4, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Warrenton, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
8. November 9, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (in the field near Brandy Station, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 7. Correspondence, November 19, 1863 - December 30, 1863.
1. November 19, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (Augustus Caleb Remmel).
2. November 21, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
3. November 24, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
4. December 7, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
5. December 9, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
6. December 12, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
7. December 30, 1863. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
Folder 8. Correspondence, January 3, 1864 - February 13, 1864.
1. January 3, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
2. January 10, 1864. 1 ALS, 2 p. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
3. January 18, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
4. January 22, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
5. February 1, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
6. February 6, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
7. February 11, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
8. February 13, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
Folder 9. Correspondence, February 18, 1684 - April 2, 1864.
1. February 18, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
2. February 21, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
3. March 2, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
4. March 4, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
5. March 6, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
6. March 10, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
7. March 18, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
8. March 30, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
9. April 2, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
Folder 10. Correspondence, April 11, 1864 - August 3, 1864.
1. April 11, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
2. April 16, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
3. April 23, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
4. April 30, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Hazel River, Virginia) to parents.
5. May 22, 1865. 1 TL. WR (Emory Hospital, Washington, D.C.) to father.
6. May 22, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Emory Hospital, Washington, D.C.) to brother (unknown).
7. July 21, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Emory Hospital, Washington, D.C.) to parents.
8. August 3, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Washington, D.C.) to sister (unknown).
Folder 11. Correspondence, August 4, 1864 - August 24, 1864.
1. August 4, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Emory Hospital, Washington, D.C.) to brother (unknown).
2. August 6, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Emory Hosital, Washington, D.C.) to parents.
3. August 14, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Soldier's Rest, Washington, D.C.) to parents.
4. August 17, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (Sandy Hook, Virginia) to sister (unknown).
5. August 20, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Knoxville, Virginia) to parents.
6. August 24, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Bolivar Heights, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 12. Correspondence, August 21, 1864 - October 16, 1864.
1. August 31, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Charleston, Virginia) to parents.
2. September 5, 1864. 1 ALS WR (near Berryville, Virginia) to brother (unknown).
3. September 17, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Berryville, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) to parents.
4. September 27, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Harrisonburg, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) to parents.
5. October 15, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Middletown, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) to parents.
6. October 16, 1864. 1 ALS. WR (near Middletown, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) to sister (unknown).
7. October 16, 1864. 1 ALS. + env. WR (near Middletown, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) to parents.
Folder 13. School Papers, 1861 and n.d. Papers pertaining to William Remmel's days as a student at the Fairfield Seminary in Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York.
1. May 27, [1861]. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
2. September 8, 1861. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
3. October 18, 1861. 1 ALS. WR (Fairfield, New York) to parents.
4. November 19, 1861. 1 ALS. Grade report of WR.
5. 6. n.d. 2 AL. School assignments.
Folder 14. Search emmel's family to discover his fate, August 20, 1865 - February 7, 1897.
1. Envelope, on the front of which is written "Letters rec'd from old soldiers of the 121st NY vol. in reply to letters of inquiry sent out concerning dear William."
  - The remaining items in this folder, and the items in folder 15, were found in the above envelope.
2. 1 handwritten, unsigned page explaining efforts by William Remmel's family to discover his fate.
3. August 20, 1865. 1 ALS. Egbert H. Caswell (Richfield Springs,[no state]) to Caleb Remmel.
4. September 21, 1865. 1 ALS. Col. N.P. Chipman (Washington, D.C.) to Caleb Remmel.
5. March 16, 1866. 1 ALS. William F. Clayton (Winchester, [no state]) to Caleb Remmel.
6. No day, 1889. 1 ALS, 3 p., + env. J.L. Kidder (New York, New York) to HLR, Sr.
7. February 7, 1897. 1 ALS + env. Adelbert Jaycox to Mrs. J.G. Benson.
Folder 15. Search Correspondence, January 11, 1901 - January 21, 1907. Correspondence relating to attempts by the family of William Remmel to discover his fate, January 11, 1907 - January 21, 1907.
1. January 11, 1901. 1 ALS, 2 p., + env. Treat D. Young (Schenevens, New York) to Mrs. J.G. Benson.
2. January 11, 1907. 1 ALS + env. John P. Wiltsey (East Worcester, New York) to Mrs. J.G. Benson.
3. January 13, 1907. 1 ALS. Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Tanner [West Vienna, no state] to (J.G.) Benson.
4. January 16, 1907. 1 ALS + env. Charles T. Downing (Sherburne, New York) to Mrs. (J.G.) Benson.
5. January 20, 1907. 1 ALS + env. C.N. Merrill (Laurens, New York) to Mrs. J.G. Benson.
6. January 21, 1907. 1 ALS + env. Celia Wescott (Oneonta, New York) to Mrs. J.G. Benson.
Folder 16. Back Pay Letters and Papers, August 31, 1865 - May 4, 1868. Correspondence and documents pertaining to attempts by the family of William Remmel to collect pay due his heirs, August 31, 1865 - May 4, 1868.
1. August 31, 1865. 1 printed l. E.B. Lunch (Washington, D.C.) to Caleb Remmel.
2. September [no day], 1865. 1 printed l. Application by Caleb Remmel for the back pay of William Remmel.
3. November 14, 1865. 1 printed l. E.B. Lunch (Washington, D.C.) to Caleb Remmel.
4. January 6, 1866. 1 printed l. E.B. Lunch (Washington, D.C.) to Caleb Remmel, enclosing certificate for back pay.
5. April 16, 1868. 1 printed l. E.B. Lunch (Washington, D.C.) to Caleb and Henrietta Remmel, enclosing certificate for bounty payment.
6. April 27, 1868. 1 ALS. William W. Posh (Albany, New York) to Caleb Remmel.
7. May 4, 1868. 1 ALS. William W. Posh (Albany, New York) to Caleb Remmel.
Folder 17. Henrietta Remmel Pension Papers, March 24, 1886 - July 25, 1890. Papers pertaining to efforts by Henrietta Remmel to obtain a pension as the dependent parent of a Civil War veteran.
1. March 24, 1886. 1 printed l. Printed form letter from the law office of Charles and William B. King to Henrietta Remmel, regarding instructions for making a pension application.
2. July 25, 1890. 1 printed l. Pension certificate of Henrietta Remmel.
3. n.d. 1 printed l. Printed form from the law office of Charles and William B. King concerning postage costs.
4. n.d. 1 printed I. Printed form, partially completed: "Declaration of Dependent Mother for Pension".
5. n.d. 1 printed l. Printed form: "Articles of Agreement" between Henrietta Remmel and the law firm of Charles and William B. King.
6. Same as above.
Folder 18. Miscellaneous, April 12, 1863 - August 18, 1924.
1. April 12, 1863. 1 printed page. William Remmel's certificate of promotion to sergeant.
2. May 27, 1865. 1 ALS. Caleb Remmel (N.S. General Hospital, Chesapeake, Virginia) to parents.
3. September 17, 1865. 1 ALS. William P. Ford (Fairfield, New York) to unknown person, regarding the pastor for William Remmel's funeral.
4. April 8, 1868. 3 Al. Handwritten transcriptions of two songs, with notation "Sung at Brother William's funeral"; transcribed by Ada E. Remmel.
5. 2 newspaper clippings. 1 l.
  - a) August 18, 1924. No paper, page, or column; "Stratford Social Event".
  - b) No date, paper, page or column; "Salisbury-Stratford Veterans of Civil War."
6. n.d. 1 1. Printed form (blank) for volunteer enlistment into the army.
7. n.d., no author. 1 1. Handwritten accounts by two different people of conversations with people who knew William Remmel.
8. n.d. 1 l. Memorial poster of Company I, 121st Regt. New York Vol. Infantry.
Folder 19. One 8 x 10, B & W oval portrait photograph of William Remmel in military uniform, c. 1862-1864.
Folder 20. Miscellaneous envelopes. Consists of envelopes which were separated from the correspondence by the previous owner and which could not be matched with their respective letters by Special Collections. 71 items.
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