Paul W. Bean Civil War Papers

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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An Introduction to the Paul W. Bean Collection on Digital Commons, August 31, 2015

Edward Andrew Kobylarz

An Introduction to the Paul W. Bean Collection on Digital Commons, August 31, 2015. This is a short guide to the Paul W. Bean Collection here on Digital Commons. It is included as a reference for researchers to understand the methodology behind the creation of this collection and hopefully aid in the deepest and richest exploration of it.
1910 First Maine Cavalry Reunion Post Card

J. P. Cilley

Post-Card from Corresponding Secretary J.P. Cilley to Almore, Haskell, August 10, 1910. The bulk of the postcard explains the planned events for the reunion including lunch and dinner, automobile rides and other festivities. There is also a request for the names of veterans who died for the purpose of commemoration.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.59
Medal of Honor Legion Fourteenth Annual Convention Booklet

Unknown

This booklet produced as a guide for those attending the 1904 annual banquet and convention for the Medal of Honor Legion is a rich source filled with information about living and deceased members of the society and the events of the weekend.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 278, f.49
Letter from Hiram S. Davis and Hannah Davis to Lieutenant J. L. Ham, April 16, 1880

Hiram S. Davis and Hannah Davis

Letter from Hiram S. and Hannah Davis to Lieutenant J.L. Ham, April 16, 1880. These are two separate letters that were mailed together. Both Hiram and Hannah inquired of Ham if he knew William Davis, Hiram's brother and Hannah's son who was in the same prison camp at Salisbury, North Carolina around the same time and died in January of 1865. They provide unique commentary on Northern reactions to the Confederate treatment of Union prisoners and the bitter attitude still held nearly fifteen years after the war.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.62
Letter from Delphina E. Mendenhall to John L. Ham, February 1, 1879

Delphina E. Mendenhall

Letter from Delphina E. Mendenhall to John L. Ham, February 1, 1879. Delphina wrote to John Ham as an attempt to rekindle an old friendship made during the bitterest months of the war when he was released with a few other prisoners from the Salisbury, North Carolina prison camp around the time General Sherman made his march through there.Due to the state of affairs both before and during the war she and her husband were one of the few slave owners that attempted to emancipate their slaves before the war, and she mentioned that of those former slaves several went on to become very successful. She also relates the state of affairs at her household since that time during the war and some of her sad misfortunes, yet she remarked how fortunate she was to help him and the other prisoners.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.63
Letter from J.H. Young to his brother (Lott?), March 31, 1865

J. H. Young

Letter from J.H. Young to his brother (Lott?), March 31, 1865. In it he tells his brother of the latest events, including the weather and the bounty of agriculture.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.51
McClellan's Military Career Reviewed and Exposed

Union Congressional Committee

McClellan's Military Career Reviewed and Exposed: The Military Policy of the Administration Set Forth and Vindicated (1864).

This pamphlet is a thirty two page exposé regarding former Union General George B. McClellan's military record and stances during the war used as an attempt to discredit him in his bid for the U.S. Presidency in 1864.

Printed by Lemuel Towers

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 278, f.42
Collection of Press Receipts Advertising for Volunteer Soldiers

Capt. J.C. Grafton and Capt. R.B. Brown

An assortment of vouchers and receipts made out to Capts. J.C. Grafton and R.B. Brown in the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment advertising for new recruits, 1863-4.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 278, f.29
Three Stages in the Life of a Political Turn-Coat

Anonymous

Anonymous pamphlet entitled, "Three Stages in the Life of a Political Turn-Coat: Showing how an INTENSIFIED WAR Democrat is gradually transformed into a Malignant Copperhead."

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 278, f.28
Letter from E. Haskell Jr. to his son Almore, September 10, 1862

E. Haskell Jr.

Letter from E. Haskell Jr. to his son Almore, September 10, 1862. In it he urges his son to make it to the upcoming elections.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.46
Letter from Zeb Knight to Almore Haskell, February 14, 1863

Zeb Knight

Letter from Zeb Knight to Almore Haskell, February 14, 1863. In it he tells of his situation in hospital due to wounds received in the field. Knight also tells Haskell of the military situation of his cavalry regiment and the orders from Union command not to talk or trade with Confederate soldiers.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.49
Letter from Achsah Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, February 15, 1863

Achsah Lemont

Letter from Achsah Lemont to her brother Frank L. Lemont, February 15, 1863. In it she relates most of the goings on back home in Lewiston especially the pleasant company of many young ladies. She also speaks of the state of the family and the words they received regarding the rumored changes in command of Union troops and her hopes that this will be a welcome change for her brother.

Further in the letter she speaks of the changes in the weather and how the sleighing was rather good though the recent thaw affected such outings. As to her personal life and the affections of young men to which he cautioned her in a previous letter she brushes off stating that there is not a need to worry because they as yet had not chosen to try and win her affections.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from Achsah Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, October 25, 1863

Achsah Lemont

Letter from Achsah Lemont to her brother Frank L. Lemont, October 25, 1863. In it she tells Frank that she is now boarding with a Mr. and Mrs. Russel taking care of their children during their absence and that due to this she feels rather overwhelmed, almost to the point of insanity. Achsah also speaks of the state of the family and other goings on at home. In a rather personal moment she also inquires of his intentions towards Electa Lemont and she warns him to not pursue such intentions, and in regards to her own love life she provided a rather dismal overview, predicting she would take the title of "old maid" so as the rest of her siblings might find spouses.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from Achsah Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, September 20, 1863

Achsah Lemont

Letter from Achsah and Josie Lemont to their brother Frank L. Lemont, September 20, 1863. In it Achsah tells Frank of a fun excursion to the top of Mount Washington and the excitement of the day including the state of the weather and the difficulty of the trek up the mountain.

Josie also included a short letter to Frank as well, stating that she felt well enough to do so. She expressed her deep desire to get an education for herself and how difficult it was for her to attend, but that she would not stop trying.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, April 11, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, April 11, 1863. In it she discusses the details of their move back to the farm in Greene, ME and the family life now that they resettled, including a cold she got in the process.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, February 26, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, February 26th, 1863. In it she speaks of the difficulty of the distance between them and the rising financial troubles at home, especially with the strain on the family without him being there to help on the farm. She also mentions a rumor about soldiers being granted furloughs to go home.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, January 28, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, January 28, 1863. In it she relates the latest goings on at home and the state of the family, mostly that she longs to have her son home and wonders what should be done about the farm, proposing that perhaps renting the house in Lewiston might provide some supplemental income for them to live on while they prepare for beginning planting again in the summer.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, January 3, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, January 3, 1863. In it she imparts rather depressing news from home and about the war especially about death and sickness plaguing their community. She desperately wishes the war would end so her son might come home and be with them but she knows that he has to make those decisions for himself.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, June 28, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, June 28, 1863. In it she congratulates him on his promotion and speaks of a great desire to see him. She also wishes him good will in this new position and that he continues to stay safe in the midst of the war.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from J.S. Lemont to Frank L. Lemont, September 10, 1863

J. S. Lemont

Letter from J.S. Lemont to her son Frank L. Lemont, September 10, 1863. In it she tells him mostly of the events of life at home and the financial situation of the family, specifically regarding the loan of money to a family friend for investment in buying a hardware store.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from Harriet N. Merriam to Frank L. Lemont, March 8, 1863

Harriet N. Merriam

Letter from Harriet N. Merriam to her nephew Frank L. Lemont, March 8, 1863. In it she tells her nephew of the recent move to a larger plot of land and her feelings on the matter, especially being in a new environment. She also speaks of the war and how sickness spread to some of their mutual relatives and friends in the field.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from Wyatt Turner to Almore, September 10, 1863

Wyatt Turner

Letter from Wyatt Turner to Almore, September 10, 1863. In it he urges Almore to head to Harrison to vote in the Statewide elections, stressed as the most important in the history of the state.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 279, f.44
Letter from Unknown to Frank L. Lemont, November 1, 1863

Unknown

Letter from Unknown to Frank L. Lemont. In it the writer (most likely one of Frank's sisters) relates the state of the family and laments any wrongdoings or insults given in the previous letter.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.8
Letter from Charles Warner to his Mother Mrs. Almon Warner, August 20, 1863

Charles Warner

Letter from Charles Warner to his mother Mrs. Almon Warner, August 20, 1863. In it he discusses life in camp at Kelly's ford and the general nature of army culture. He also makes a direct reference to the part of army culture engaged in gambling as a means of passing time, along with the delicate subject of court martial and execution.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.9
Letter from Charles Warner to his mother Mrs. Almon Warner, August 23, 1863

Charles Warner

Letter from Charles Warner to his mother Mrs. Almon Warner, August 23, 1863. In it he waxes philosophical about the nature around him and how the nights often remind him of New England, thus turning his thoughts back to home. He also asks her about potentially being introduced to some young lady upon his return. Turning from pleasantries he intimates that officers in his unit have made arrangements to level charges against their commanding officer (Col. Price) for a host of reasons ranging from insubordination to harshness of command.

Taken from the Paul W. Bean Collection, Box no. 277, f.9