Call Number:

C0475

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

4 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Roswell H. Lamson Papers, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1845-1894 (inclusive)

Creator:

Lamson, Roswell Hawks

Form:

Correspondence -- 19th century, Diaries -- 19th century, and Photographs -- 19th century.

Abstract:

Consists of correspondence, diaries (1864, 1870, 1887), photographs, documents, memorabilia, and printed matter of U.S. Naval officer Roswell H. Lamson.

Roswell H. Lamson was a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1862. Lamson remained in the Navy until 1866, serving on several ships including the Wabash, Stepping Stones, and Gettysburg, which Lamson commanded.

During his Civil War service, Lamson was involved in several battles and skirmishes, chased blockade runners, and was on the USS Wabash in 1862 when fifteen escaped slaves boarded the fleet.

The collection consists of Lamson's correspondence, diaries (1864, 1870, 1887), photographs, documents, memorabilia, and printed matter. The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence between Lamson and his wife, Kate Buckingham Lamson; letters to him by his mother, cousins, father, J. Lamson (in Oregon), and grandfather, Roswell Hawks; and copies in letterbooks of letters he wrote to them. Much of this correspondence covers the years he was a lieutenant and, later, captain during the Civil War (1861-1865) serving on several ships including the Wabash, Stepping Stones, and Gettysburg, and contains descriptions of military operations and naval encounters with the Confederate forces. There is also a notebook of naval terms with definitions and explanations kept by Lamson while a midshipman at Annapolis.

Lamson served on multiple ships during the Civil War, including the USS Wabash from May 1861 to May 1862; the USS Plant, the US Gunboat E.B. Hale, and the USS Pawnee during the months May to December 1862; the USS Louisiana, the USS Minnesota, the USS Washington, the USS Stepping Stones, the USS Teaser, the USS Brandywine, the USS Commodore Barry, and the USS Nansemond during the year 1863; and the USS Gettysburg, the US Flagship Malvern, the USS Stepping Stone, the USS Delaware, and the USS Agawan during the year 1864. Lamson's letters describe blockade runner chases, skirmishes and battles (including a battle off Hilton Head Battery in November 1861 and the fight for Fort Fisher in December 1864 to January 1865 ), fifteen escaped slaves arriving on board the USS Wabash in May 1862, and the capture of the Confederate Steamer Margaret and Jessie.

Arranged in this order: correspondence between Lamson and his wife, Kate Buckingham Lamson; other correspondence; letterbooks; photographs; documents; memorabilia; printed matter.