The Michael Lally letters at Brandeis consists of fifty-seven letters written by Michael Lally, a young Irish immigrant from Roxbury, Massachusetts, who served the Union during the Civil War as a member of the Company C, 11th Regt. Mass. Volunteer Infantry. The letters were written home from Maryland and Virginia between July 16, 1861 (just before the first battle of Bull Run), and June 6, 1865 and are addressed to his wife, Bridgett, and their four children. Topics include the particulars of battle as well as aspects of camp and daily life, such as the need for postage stamps, handkerchiefs, a flannel shirt, or whiskey. In many of the letters he expresses concern for his wife and family and asks for news of neighbors and friends. Of particular note is the letter dated November 14, 1861, which was written in berry ink, and the letter dated April 16, 1865 (four days after Lee’s surrender), in which Lally states “we have gained our object at last.” The letters were transcribed by Harry N. Tarlin, a former assistant director of the Goldfarb library. More information about the Michael Lally collection is available here. A finding aid to the collection is available here.
The digital collection can also be found here. It is comprised of scans and transcripts of the 57 letters, and scans of the prayer and letter written by John Lally.
Preferred Citation:
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Michael Lally letters and other material, 1861-2006, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.
Rights:
Requests to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department.
