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Gilbert H. Reynolds papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.200

Biographical / Historical note

Gilbert H. Reynolds (1832-1913) was born in New York City and moved to Rochester, New York, with his parents at the age of eighteen. A member of the New York State militia in the 1850s, Reynolds volunteered with his brother and others in Rochester to form Battery L, First Regiment New York Light Artillery, in 1861. In Albany, the "Reynolds' Battery" joined a six gun battery made up of about 150 men, and proceeded to Baltimore for equipage and drilling. Beginning in May, 1862, the battery saw action at Harper's Ferry, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. Gilbert H. Reynolds assumed command of the company shortly before the fight at Gettysburg in July, 1863, and was seriously wounded there, obliging him to leave the battery that summer. He returned to live and work with his family in Rochester, and was active in the G.A.R. there until his death almost fifty years later.

Scope and Contents

The Gilbert H. Reynolds Papers contain documents and letters from his years in the state militia and during and after the Civil War. There are five letters by and to him and his family describing engagements with Confederate troops and artillery, including reports from the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Two later letters to Reynolds by Frederick Douglass and Theodore Roosevelt are both indexed. The collection also includes newspapers clippings, a short memorial account of his service by his comrades on the fiftieth anniversary of Gettysburg, and a piece of the shirt worn by Reynolds at the battle, said to be cut by shrapnel.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1854-1913

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Gilbert H. Reynolds Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mrs. J. Gerard O'Brian, January 16, 1984

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Gilbert H. Reynolds Papers, D.200, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Gilbert H. Reynolds papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA