Paul W. Bean, UMaine Class of '35, spent many years collecting and transcribing materials related to the Civil War, a collection that grew to nearly 700 books, maps, diaries and letters donated to the University of Maine in 1972.
As a part of an internship program, Edward Andrew Kobylarz, a Graduate Student in History at the University of Maine, selected materials to be included in this digital collection, digitized, and transcribed them. A wide variety of themes emerged during that process, including Civil War era perspectives on the environment, politics and political movements, views from the home front in Maine, and post-war reflections in documents written many years after the war. Andrew's introduction to the digital collection and the methods used during the project have been included within a document below.
For more information about the Paul W. Bean Civil War collection, please contact the University of Maine Special Collections Department, Raymond H. Fogler Library, at 207.586.1686 or um.library.spc @ maine.edu. An inventory of the complete collection can also be found online at http://www.library.umaine.edu/speccoll/FindingAids/Bean.htm.
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, November 2, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, November 2, 1862. In it he relates multiple subjects including the latest military movements into Virginia, his concerns for the future both financially and physically, and his desire to help his mother in such a hard time moving from Greene, ME to Lewiston.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, November 23, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, November 23, 1862. In it he expresses his concerns about life especially in this new found position of maturity thrust upon him in the field of battle. Frank intimates he is not satisfied with his position or his duty but will continue on anyways. He also speaks of the army's movements towards Fredericksburg and the hope that after one final push on Richmond will end the war so he can return home.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, November 30, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, November 30, 1862. In it he asks after how she and his sisters spent Thanksgiving Day and relates his own experience. He also speaks of the Confederate army fortifying around Fredericksburg and the looming battle ahead to hopefully end the war. Among other things he also relates his innermost thoughts and concerns plaguing his life in the army and the feelings of loneliness.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, November 7, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, November 7, 1862. In it he encourages his mother and urges her to stay strong through the difficult times, especially in the face of new danger with a potential battle on the horizon near Richmond. He also queries about the little things going on at home and his desire to hear more from his sisters.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, October 13, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, October 13, 1862. In it he updates her on his current situation returning to his regiment after staying with her for a short time (more than likely keeping her company in such a hard time with his father being ill) including that he was well received by his comrades in the 5th Maine upon his return and that his mental state has improved greatly knowing this. Frank also discusses his emotions and feelings having to leave his mother yet he admits his duty is penultimate.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, October 24, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, October 24, 1862. In it he tells her of his current situation returning to the regiment since he was wounded and went home on leave, and that his standing remains the same as it had when he left, perhaps even stronger because of his trials. He also encourages his mother to stay strong in such a hard time with her husband (his father) now deceased and the estate needing to be dealt with.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to Samuel R. Lemont, March 12, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his father Samuel R. Lemont, March 12, 1862. In it he describes his life in the army and his views on the war at that point in time. He also makes note of his health.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to Samuel R. Lemont, March 15, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his father Samuel R. Lemont, March 15, 1862. In it he speaks of their march to a new campground and the struggles faced by all in that process. He also details that some of the soldiers went to go to search for battlefield souvenirs due to their close proximity to Bull Run and Manassas.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to Samuel R. Lemont, May 22, 1862
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his father Samuel R. Lemont, May 22, 1862. In it he tells him of the grueling marches made each day to reach their current camp. Frank also relays information about the death of one Mr. Whittum's son, an account which contradicted the information previously conveyed in an earlier letter, along with information about the discharge of a soldier known to their family as Mr. Gould, the birthday of his sister Josie, his upcoming birthday and his concerns on the matter, and his observations of the weather in Virginia at the time.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Partial Undated Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. (May-June 1862?)
Frank L. Lemont
Partial undated letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont sometime around May-June 1862. In it he tells her about several of the military engagements recently including some rather minor artillery shelling against Confederate positions across the Chickahoming, his visit to the hospital seeing Confederate prisoners wounded there (along with his own personal interpretation of not only their social status but their inferiority compared to Union soldiers) and also their manner of dress.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Partial Undated Letter from Frank L. Lemont to Samuel R. Lemont (1862?)
Frank L. Lemont
Partial undated letter from Frank L. Lemont to his father Samuel R. Lemont, most likely written in 1862. In this incomplete correspondence he indicates his great concern for his mother's health and the trouble befalling his father's business, lamenting that he cannot be home for either. He mentions that Captain Daggett may return home and that should he do so, there are a few things he would be grateful if they sent them with Daggett upon his return.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, May 18, 1862
J. S. Lemont
Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, May 18, 1862. In it she writes of her concerns for his well being both spiritually and physically. She also comments on their family and the interconnections of their little Maine community and a local fire threatening their woodlot.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, November 10, 1862
J. S. Lemont
Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, November 10, 1862. In it she relates the latest news from home about the family and the community, specifically that one George Merrill died from fever and that his family now mourns his death. Due to this, and the continued preparations for the move to Lewiston it has certainly acted as a bit of black cloud over the family.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, October 29, 1862
J. S. Lemont
Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, October 29, 1862. In it she expresses her thanks that he was received so well by his regiment but also the sorrow with the death of her husband and that he can't be home to help take care of the affairs moving from Greene to Lewiston. She also tells of the harvest and the growing preparations for the move, as well as the latest news from the family.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letters from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont (undated) 1862
J. S. Lemont
Two undated letters from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont. These letters were probably produced in Greene, Maine but there is no envelope or written evidence to solidly confirm this. They are also undated and most likely (as Bean writes in both his transcript and a piece of scrap paper) were written in late May or early June of 1862 based on the events mentioned in the letters. In the first letter she focuses mainly on her feelings about missing him and that the war was over, bearing a very sorrowful burden because of his being gone and how most everyone in the family also feels the same. She also makes note that Josie (his sister) is still ill since the last letter she sent.
The second letter also focuses on the family's desire that the war end quickly so he may return home. She also comments that they would be glad if he were wounded simply so he could return home. It is along these lines that she makes note of her growing interest in the Army and the developments thereof because of his service.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, April 16, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, April 16, 1862. In it he mostly comments on the state of their family and life in Maine with his absence.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, April 29, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, April 29, 1862. In it he comments on the state of the war and his hopes that his son will continue to be courageous and stay safe should he be engaged in battle with Confederate forces. Samuel also comments on the state of the family and local goings on.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, July 1, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, July 1, 1862. In it he expresses his anxiety over Frank's current situation since they received news of a battle recently fought near Frank's regiment and that it is unclear what has happened. Samuel also notes that the family is doing well and that the weather has become rather erratic as of late, being rather hot and then changing to almost freezing weather with the appearance of a Nor'easter before he sent the letter.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, June 10, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, June 10, 1862. Samuel comments on the state of the war and how close his son is to the conflict without being embroiled in battle, though certainly engagement is at this time unavoidable.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, June 24, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, June 24, 1862. In it he remarks that he and the family are concerned since Frank had not written for a while, including that their health is good as usual and that they constantly pray for his safety, especially because they are fearful that he and his unit engaged in a fierce battle. He also mentions the weather back in Maine and the state of their grass crop.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, May 2, 1862
Samuel R. Lemont
Letter from Samuel R. Lemont to his son Frank L. Lemont, May 2, 1862. In it he remarks on the state of the mail and how so few letters are reaching his son and that there is little else to report on due to the great number of letters written in such a short period of time. Samuel also makes mention that a local newspaperman requested the use of Frank's letters in the Lewiston "Daley Journal" [sic].
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont and Samuel R. Lemont, June 30, 1861
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont and Samuel R. Lemont, June 30, 1861. In it he mostly tells his family of their long journey to Washington amid the preparations for war, including the numerous parades and interactions with locals on their way from Maine, down through Boston to Washington. He wishes the family well and that they not worry excessively over his situation.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Letter from Frank L. Lemont to J.S. Lemont, July 8, 1861
Frank L. Lemont
Letter from Frank L. Lemont to his mother J.S. Lemont, July 8, 1861. In it he tells her of the weather and their current situation in camp near Washington. He indicates that a battle is to be expected in the near future and passes along rumors that the battle ahead should be short, decisive, and end the war swiftly but he himself chooses instead to worry less about that outcome because it is not in his power to read the future.
Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.5
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Diary of Jack P. Myers
Jack P. Myers
A transcript of a Civil War diary prepared by one of Jack P. Myers' grandsons. The diary covers the dates May 2 to October 8, 1861.
Digitized from Box 278, folder 27.
The collection includes only the transcription, not an original diary.
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Charles A. Pitchner Letters
Charles A. Pitchner
Two letters addressed to "Friend Wales" written by Charles A. Pitcher, the first from Boston, August 8, 1861, and the second from San Francisco, 18(?). The first letter mentions a planned trip to visit Wales and family in Maine. Images of the original letters and typed transcriptions are included in the file.
Digitized from Box 279, folder 31.