Alfred Rupert Civil War Papers

Collection Title: Alfred Rupert Civil War Papers

Collection Number: MS Coll 158

Dates of Collection: 1861-1909

Extent: 0.3 linear feet

Repository: Chester County History Center, West Chester, PA

Language: English

Project Archivist: Jeffrey Cantwell and Laura Parrish

Biography:

Alfred Rupert, son of Rachel Acheff (ca. 1811-1890; sometimes listed as Ann) and William Rupert (ca. 1808-1870), was born in Russellville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on May 28, 1837. He attended Hopewell Academy and later worked in George Worrall’s bookstore in West Chester. Around 1858, he became Deputy Recorder of Chester County.

His siblings were Noah (ca. 1833-1916), George M. (1835-1920; a lawyer who served in the Civil War), Charles A. (1840-1905), David Hayes (ca. 1846-1923; served in the 196th Pennsylvania Volunteers), and Martha J. (later Mrs. John Y. Latta). A first cousin was John A. Rupert; Alfred and John married sisters: Alfred to Mary Elisabeth Groff (1843-1908) and John to Sarah Louise Groff.

When the Civil War began, the Brandywine Guard, a local volunteer company, was formed in West Chester. Rupert enlisted as a private, and the Guard became Company A of the First Pennsylvania Reserves. Rupert’s company saw action in the Seven Days’ Battle, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Bethesda Church. Rupert was wounded at Gettysburg, and his first enlistment ended in June 1864. In March 1865, he re-enlisted as Adjutant in the 192nd Pennsylvania Infantry.

Upon his discharge in August 1865, Rupert was conferred the rank of brevet captain by President Andrew Johnson. After the war, Rupert operated a bookstore in West Chester and served other civic roles, such as the Prothonotary of Chester County, West Chester’s Justice of the Peace, and colonel with the National Guard of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Mary Elisabeth, had three children, Frank B., Eva (Mrs. J. Frank Hause), and Jennie. Rupert died in his home on North High Street on December 23, 1898.

Thomas Wilberforce Egan, born in New York City in 1836, served in several Civil War campaigns in Virginia, including at Seven Pines, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Devil’s Den, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, and Burgesses’ Mill. He was eventually conferred his highest military rank, major general, on October 27, 1864. He died in 1887. William Henry Gilder (1838-1900) served on Egan’s staff.

Abstract:

The Civil War papers of Alfred Rupert measure 0.3 linear feet and date from 1861 to 1909. Found within the papers are personal letters written by Alfred Rupert, primarily to his brother, Charles A. Rupert, while serving with the Union Army during the Civil War. The letters contain observations of his travels through Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia; musings on the war’s progress; and descriptions of camp life, battles, and other events. Additional material includes letters from family and friends, along with papers documenting his military service. The collection also includes handwritten circulars, or military orders, as issued by Brevet Major General Thomas Wilberforce Egan in 1865.

Collection Scope:

The Alfred Rupert Civil War papers measure 0.3 linear feet and date from 1861 to 1909. The collection includes Rupert’s personal correspondence dating from 1861 to 1865. These letters were written during his military service in the Civil War and are addressed primarily to his brother, Charles A. Rupert. Topics often relate to the areas that he passed through with the Union Army, including parts of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, and feature accounts of camp life, adverse traveling conditions, rumors, provisions, funerals, battles, and other events. He records opinions on slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation, speculates on the war’s progress and military leadership, and describes the devastation he witnessed in parts of Virginia, including a deserted Manassas. This collection also includes letters written by George M. Rupert (brother of Alfred) and John A. Rupert (cousin of Alfred).

Personal papers contains various documents dating from 1861 to 1909 pertaining to Alfred Rupert’s military service and the finances of his family, his wife’s family, and others.

The collection also includes handwritten circulars, or military orders, as issued by Brevet Major General Thomas Wilberforce Egan and dating from March 23 to April 29, 1865. These were written on thin paper and provided by Egan’s staff assistant, William Henry Gilder. Many circulars pertain to personnel issues, such as asking for the names of telegraph operators or issuing orders for the setting of pickets. Also mentioned are copies of telegrams announcing the federal occupation of Richmond, the capture of Lincoln’s assassins, and the surrender of Joseph E. Johnston’s army.

Information For Researchers:

Access: Collection is open for research. Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Chester County History Center Library.
Publication Rights/Terms of Use: The Chester County History Center makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational, and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. CCHC makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions, and it is the user’s responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce, and publish materials from the collections.
Preferred Citation: Alfred Rupert Civil War papers, 1861 – 1909. MS Coll 158. Chester County History Center, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Processing History: The collection was processed and described through a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 2005. Updates to the biographical and scope and content notes were provided by Jeffrey Cantwell and Laura Parrish in 2023.

Names and Subject Terms:

Subjects:
- Finance, Personal
- Military camps
- Military orders
- United States—Army—Military life
- United States—Army—Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 192nd (1864-1865)
- United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865
Names, Personal:
- Egan, Thomas W.
- Gilder, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1900
- Rupert family

Collection Arrangement:

The collection is arranged as 3 series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1861-1865 (Folder 1-7)
Series 2: Personal Papers, 1861-1909 (Folder 8-11)
Series 3: Circulars, 1865 (Folder 12-14)

Related Material:

The Chester County History Center Library holds additional letters written by Alfred Rupert to his brother, George M. Rupert (MS 33891-34060); the Photo Archives also holds a cabinet card of Alfred Rupert standing in front of his bookstore.

Collection Contents:

Box 1

Series 1: Correspondence, 1861-1865

Folder 1: Alfred Rupert, 1861

Item 1: Mount Clare, near Baltimore, Tuesday morning, July 28, 1861

addressed to brother Charles A. Rupert

describes train ride from West Chester to Harrisburg to Baltimore, MD

Item 2: Annapolis Junction, Sunday, August 4, 1861

addressed to brother Charles A. Rupert, with envelope
thinks they will go to Washington
wants to be under command of General McCall because he is experienced
describes camp life, picket duty
anecdote about local man attacked by secessionists

Item 3: Headquarters 1st Regiment, PRVC, Camp Tennally, MD, Sunday, September 8, 1861

addressed to brother Charles A. Rupert
General McClellan reserves Sunday for religious observation and rest
General McCall’s command marched out on field for review; Simon Cameron Secretary of War observed; detailed diagram included
believes war will be over in three months

soldiers plunder secessionist homes, farms

Item 4: Headquarters 1st Regiment P.R., Camp Tennally, MD, Tuesday, September 24, 1861

addressed to brother
criticizes friends and acquaintances who did not take up arms
armed with Springfield Rifle
saw Capitol
expects to vote for Butler and county ticket on election day

Item 5: Wednesday morning, September 25, 1861

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
describes breakfast food, coffee
under marching orders

Item 6: Camp Tennally near Georgetown, DC, Friday noon, October 4, 1861

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
discusses possibility of division being sent to Missouri
discusses regiment’s arms
discusses election; thinks Butler’s opponent Joseph Hemphill is secessionist; wants everyone to vote for Union War Ticket

Item 7: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRVC, Camp Pierpont, VA, Wednesday eve, March 27, 1861

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
in charge of writing and bookkeeping for regiment; supplied with firewood
rebels fell trees over roads to block Union soldiers

Item 8: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRVC, Camp Pierpont, VA, Wednesday eve, Dec. 4, 1861

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
describes funerals for soldiers
describes winter conditions
2 or 3,000 rebels in Drainesville
expect war to be over before next December

Item 9: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRVC, Camp Pierpont, VA, Sunday eve, Dec. 22/24, 1861

addressed to brother
describes fighting at Drainesville; Rupert did not fight because company was at General McCall’s HQ; Bucktails did the best fighting
plans for Christmas; many boxes received by soldiers with Christmas food

Folder 2: Alfred Rupert, January – April 1862

Item 10: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRVC, Camp Pierpont, Fairfax Co., VA, January 3, 1862

addressed to brother Charles
thanking for package of food, supplies
thinks Confederacy will ally with Great Britain

Item 11: Camp Hawkhurst, VA, 3 miles south Hunter’s Mill, Wednesday, March 11-14, 1862

addressed to brother
thinks “slavery is the curse of the South” and that there will be gradual emancipation
rumor they will return to Washington and then go to reinforce Burnside

Item 12: Camp near Alexandria, VA, Wednesday, March 24, 1862

addressed to brother
waiting to ship out, not sure where
devastation in Virginia
no destruction of property allowed; property will be given back after the war if owners become loyal citizens
Brandywine Guards are personal guard of General McCall, encamp near his headquarters, do not march with regiment

Item 13: Manassas, VA, Thursday afternoon, April 10, 1862

addressed to brother
describes train ride
slept in rebel encampment; rebels have better camps in that area
describes Manassas – deserted
went to Baptist church, did not have prayers for Union; Methodist church did

Folder 3 Alfred Rupert, June-July 1862

Item 14: Camp near Fredericksburg, VA, Tuesday, June 3, 1862

addressed to brother
locals feared that 50,000 rebels were on the way
thinks confederate land should be sold to Union soldiers after the war
rumor that Jackson was captured

Item 15: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRC, Camp near Falmouth, June 8, 1862

addressed to brother
General McCall’s troops to join General McClellan before Richmond
artists follow the soldiers

Item 16: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRC, Camp near Dispatch Station, VA, Wed., June 18, 1862

addressed to brother Charles
soon to move to Richmond
general opinion among soldiers that a battle is about to take place

Item 17: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRC, Camp 6 mile North Richmond, Tues., June 24, 1862

addressed to brother Charles
close to rebel picket lines, some conflicts
describes Mechanicsville
told by defector that South lacks common necessities; goods at very high prices

Item 18: Head Quarters 1st Regt. PRVC, Harrison’s Landing, VA, Monday, July 28, 1862

addressed to “folks at home”
received letter telling of good harvest, good health
African Americans in regiments do cooking, washing
expects to move within days

Folder 4: Alfred Rupert, September – December 1862

Item 19: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, near Upton Hill, VA, Friday, September 5, 1862

addressed to “folks at home”
had a fierce battle on the old battlefield of Bull Run
laments death of an acquaintance; contemplates loss felt by families
appointed Adjutant, will soon have commission at 1st Lieutenant

Item 20: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, near Sharpsburg, MD, Thurs., October 16, 1862

addressed to brother Charles
Charles is new soldier with Octarara Guards
complains about generals allowing rebels to make certain movements
will soon be appointed 1st Lieutenant; officers must provide own rations

Item 21: Head Quarters 1st Infantry, October 20, 1862

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
hopes to drives rebels out of agriculturally rich Shenandoah Valley before winter

Item 22: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, Warrenton, VA, November 8, 1862

addressed to “folks”
has constantly been on march
has been in three battles in the past few weeks
southerners taken prisoner had no regular uniforms

Item 23: Head Quarters 1st Regiment Infantry PRC, November 29, 1862

addressed to brother Charles
discusses mutual acquaintance who has not written letters to his parents

Item 24: Head Quarters 1st Regiment, near Acquia Creek, VA, December 5, 1862

addressed to brother
soon to become captain of Co. H

Folder 5: Alfred Rupert, 1863

Item 25: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, January 5, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
refers to battle of Fredericksburg
describes living quarters, camp life, amusements
rumor that division might be sent home or relieved from active duty
disagrees with those who would compromise and allow Confederacy to exist

Item 26: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, near Belle Plain, VA, January 24, 1863

addressed to brother
upset because not receiving letters from family
no battle; marching in wet weather, mud

Item 27: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, February 2, 1863

addressed to brother
thinks General Hooker’s appointment as commander of Army of the Potomac is improvement over Burnside; thinks McClellan could do even better job
expects to go to Washington
acting as adjutant for the regiment, expects to be commissioned as adjutant soon; thinks it’s a better position than captain.

Item 28: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC, Union Mills, VA, Thursday, February 19, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
troops of division are upset because supposed to be relieved from duty to rest, instead have picket duty; 2nd Regiment refused to go on duty, were put under arrest
refers to “Proclamation of Emancipation” and differences of opinion on it; says it will hurt the rebels; discusses possibility of arming Black people

Item 29: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRVC, Fairfax Station, VA, June 15, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
General Hooker’s army in the vicinity; rumors about Lee being close, etc.
refers to “Copperheads” and the need to be loyal to the government
says it’s impossible for rebels to enter Chester County

Item 30: Head Quarters 1st Regt. Infant. PRVC, Camp near Auburn, VA, Tues., Oct. 27, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
making slow march toward Rappahannock

Item 31: Head Quarters 1st Regt. Infantry PRC near Warrenton Junction, VA, Nov. 4/5, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
division may be brought to Pennsylvania to reenlist and fill ranks
discusses ideas about what the plan for the Army of the Potomac might be for winter

Item 32: Head Quarters 1st Regiment PRC near Mountain Run, VA, November 19, 1863

addressed to brother
day of dedication of Gettysburg Cemetery; about to have painting done of division’s charge at Gettysburg to be placed in Capitol at Harrisburg
had photograph taken in full uniform

Item 33: Manassas Junction, VA, December 7, 1863

addressed to brother Charles
division came in close contact with Lee’s army but couldn’t get in position to fight

Folder 6: Alfred Rupert, 1864-1865

Item 34: Bristoe Station, VA, March 25, 1864

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
many troops added to Army of Potomac
reserves may be taken back to Pennsylvania to fill up or muster out of the service in May

Item 35: Head Quarters, 2nd Brig. 3rd Provisional Division, Stevenson, VA, April 19, 1865

addressed to brother Charles, with envelope
wants to be sent coat, three volumes of Casey’s Infantry Tactics

Item 36: Head Quarters, 2nd Brig. 3rd Provisional Div., Summit Point, VA, May 8/9, 1865

addressed to brother Charles
must return to West Chester on leave of absence to do business
had review of division
had an offer to go to Mexico but probably won’t take it; many officers are offering services to the Mexican government after mustered out

Item 37: (First page missing)

addressed to brother
describes picket duty
refers to Uncle Joseph’s death
may be promoted to captain

Folder 7: Other correspondents

Item 38: Head Quarters, Department of the Susquehanna, Harrisburg, July 8, 1863

author unknown, addressed to brother Alfred Rupert

Item 39: Washington, September 2, 1862

George Rupert to brother Charles Rupert, with envelope

Item 40: West Chester, PA, April 12, 1865

George Rupert to brother Charles Rupert

Item 41: West Chester, PA, August 18, 1863

George Rupert to brother

Item 42: Head Quarters, 124th Regt., PA Vols., Fairfax County, VA, Sunday August 23, 1862

John A. Rupert to cousin [Alfred Rupert?]

Item 43: Camp Stafford C.H., Stafford County, VA, March 8, 1863

John A. Rupert to cousin [Alfred Rupert?]

Series 2: Personal Papers, 1861-1909

Folder 8: Military service records, 1861 – 1865

Folder 9: Financial documents, 1867 – 1883

Folder 10: Military and financial records, 1885 – 1909

Folder 11: Comical biography, written by friend(s) under pseudonym, Dec. 12, 1879

Series 2: Circulars, 1865

Folder 12: Circulars, Brevet Major Gen. Thomas Wilberforce Egan, March 23 – 26, 1865

Folder 13: Circulars, Brevet Major Gen. Thomas Wilberforce Egan, March 27 – 31, 1865

Folder 14: Circulars, Brevet Major Gen. Thomas Wilberforce Egan, April 1 – 29, 186