Purchase, 1985.
The collection is open for research.
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use
and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to
publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special
Collections Department, University of Delaware Library,
MSS 218, Edward A. Fulton collection, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Access to digitized versions of the Edward A. Fulton collection is available at
Jack F. Fallin also produced lightly annotated transcripts of several letters for his article, " A Family War," published in the
Processed by Tim Murray and Wendy Van Wyck, 1990-1991.
Edward A. Fulton served in the Union Army from 1861 to 1863.
After traveling through Europe, Fulton joined the 1st Delaware Volunteer Regiment. In 1861, the regiment traveled to Aberdeen, Maryland, where they were assigned to guard the railroad bridges over the Susquehanna River. In 1862, Fulton joined the 72nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Fulton's background in engineering and topography led to his assignment to travel around and become acquainted with the "Location of Batteries and the roads to and from Them" (Letter, May 1, 1862). Fulton subsequently became responsible for guiding reinforcement troops to the batteries in need of support.
In 1862, Fulton was injured and spent the following six months in a military hospital in Sharpsburg, Maryland. After recuperating from injuries which nearly cost him his leg, Fulton was discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate on May 1, 1863. Fulton's mother Mary and sisters Sarah and Anna were residents of Wilmington, Delaware, during Fulton's period of service. The location of Fulton's other sister, Sade Fulton Wright, is not known.
This collection of correspondence consists of thirty-nine letters written primarily
between 1860 and 1863. The majority of the letters were written by Edward A. Fulton to
his mother, Mary Fulton, of Wilmington, Delaware, during the Civil War.
This correspondence began in 1860 when Fulton was traveling through Europe. Later, in 1862, Fulton enlisted in the Union Army and joined the 72nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He wrote to his mother from various camps in Virginia, describing battles fought near Harper's Ferry and Winchester. Also included are letters Fulton wrote in 1862 and 1863, when he spent over six months in a military hospital in Sharpsburg, Maryland, after injuring and almost losing his leg. In addition to Edward Fulton's letters to his mother, the collection also includes letters to Edward from his sisters, Anna Fulton and Sarah Fulton, with two with poems by Sarah. Several letters from the 1870s were written by Sade Fulton Wright to her mother, Mary Fulton. The collection contains a few incidental items, such as a poem written after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and two certificates from the Improved Order of Red Men, Wilmington, Delaware.
Letters are arranged in chronological order.
MSS 219 David N. Lilley letters
MSS 295 Thomas M. Reynolds letters to Louisa J. Seward
Autograph letter signed. From Washington, D.C. Fulton describes President Buchanan's dedication to the statue of Washington. Written on stationery with a "View of Washington City."
Autograph letter signed. From Paris, France.
Autograph letter signed. From Le Locle, Canton de Neuchatel, Switzerland.
Autograph letter signed. From Switzerland.
Autograph letter. From Genoa, Italy.
Autograph letter signed. From London.
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Observation. John Steptoe is the cousin of Edward Fulton.
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Observation. Fulton describes the practice drills with his regiment. Envelope has Adamstown postmark.
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Observation. Fulton says they are "waiting for the roads to get hard enough for artillery to make an advance."
Autograph letter signed. From Camp in the Woods. Describes the advance toward Winchester, "the Key of Manassas." Envelope has Adamstown postmark.
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Observation. As his regiment approaches Virginia, Fulton feels the war will end "in the course of a week."
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Observation. Envelope has Adamstown postmark.
Autograph letter signed. From Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Describes the preparation to "take Winchester."
Autograph letter. From 12 miles from Winchester, Virginia. Camp in the Woods. Envelope has Adamstown postmark.
Autograph letter signed. From Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Describes the retreat of the enemy at Winchester.
Autograph letter signed. From Washington, D.C.
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Winfield Scott near Yorktown. Describes the fighting and lack of food at the camp. Fulton also mentions that because of his background in engineering and topography, he has been assigned to "travel around and become acquainted with the Location of Batteries and the roads to and from Them." Fulton was responsible for guiding support troops to the batteries.
Autograph letter signed. From 35 miles from Richmond. Camp near West Point. Describes the "taking of Yorktown."
Autograph letter signed. From Camp Aberdeen, Hartford [sic] County, Maryland.
Autograph letter signed. From Brick M. House.
Autograph letter signed. From Near Sharpsburg, Maryland, Stone House Hospital. Fulton describes his injuries and near amputation of his leg.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware. Includes a poem, "George Washington An Acrostic."
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware.
Autograph letter signed. From U.S. Steamer Keystone State off Charleston, South Carolina.
Autograph letter signed. From U.S. Steamer Keystone off Wilmington [North Carolina].
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware. Includes a poem, "After the Battle."
Autograph letter signed. From Near Sharpsburg, Maryland. "Antietam Genl. Hospital." Fulton discusses his slow recovery and the continued operations on his leg.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware. Sarah mentions that she has attended a temperance meeting;" ... its object is ... to put an end to ... low places that disgrace Delaware so much."
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware. Sarah mentions the deadly outbreak of smallpox in Wilmington.
Autograph letter signed. From "Antietam Genl. Hospital." Fulton discusses his trouble getting a discharge from Washington.
Autograph letter signed. From Wilmington, Delaware. Sarah mentions Cannon, the new governor, and the 4th Delaware Regiment that is still in Yorktown.
Autograph letter signed.
Autograph letter signed.
Autograph letter signed. From Office of the Washington Monument Society. Concerns the controversy about the strength and durability of the Washington Monument.
Autograph letter signed.
Autograph letter signed. Includes a short note to Grandmother from Joseph F. Wright.
Autograph manuscript signed. Poem about the death of Abraham Lincoln.
Made out to James J. Wright.