292
[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. A northern preacher\'s letters concerning teaching soldiers from the 15th United States Colored Infantry Regiment as well as students at a freedmen\'s school in Nashville, Tennessee. 1863-1864.
Estimate: $1,000-$1,500
Sold
$1,400
Live Auction
American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana
Location
Cincinnati
Description
"color: rgb(73, 80, 87);">sic] and increasing." Just a few weeks later in April 1864, Bristol indicates that number of students is 100 or more, but that he is now teaching soldiers of the 15th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. The soldiers he reports are mostly former slaves, and "there are the agents and teachers from a half doz. different societies from as many different states" working with freedmen. Even in a Union-occupied city the formerly enslaved are not completely safe, as Bristol notes that, "A slaveholder from Alabama came among our men and endeavored to get back some of his enlisted slaves...They hate to give up their favorite institution...." A fascinating letter group which demonstrates the hunger for education amongst the formerly enslaved, as well as northern efforts to deal with the overwhelming number of freedmen who were continually coming into Union-held territory.
Ira Bristol was born in Connecticut in 1799, but removed to Granby, Oswego County, New York, sometime prior to 1850. The 1850 U.S. Federal Census identifies Bristol as a clerk, but by the early 1860s he has embarked upon a career as a traveling preacher, perhaps motivated by his strong anti-slavery views and the ongoing national conflict. The 15th US. Colored Infantry Regiment was organized in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in December 1863, and was attached to Post and District of Nashville to August 1864. Bristol would not, however, remain with the 15th USCT for the duration of their time in Nashville. His last letter dated 8 June 1864 indicates that Bristol's health is poor and he is returning to Oswego. The 1870 U.S. Federal Census indicates Bristol remained in Oswego, with an occupation of "Colporteur," an employee of a religious society who distributes bibles and other religious tracts.
Ira Bristol was born in Connecticut in 1799, but removed to Granby, Oswego County, New York, sometime prior to 1850. The 1850 U.S. Federal Census identifies Bristol as a clerk, but by the early 1860s he has embarked upon a career as a traveling preacher, perhaps motivated by his strong anti-slavery views and the ongoing national conflict. The 15th US. Colored Infantry Regiment was organized in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in December 1863, and was attached to Post and District of Nashville to August 1864. Bristol would not, however, remain with the 15th USCT for the duration of their time in Nashville. His last letter dated 8 June 1864 indicates that Bristol's health is poor and he is returning to Oswego. The 1870 U.S. Federal Census indicates Bristol remained in Oswego, with an occupation of "Colporteur," an employee of a religious society who distributes bibles and other religious tracts.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Condition
Freeman's I Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Freeman's I Hindman.