The collection (dated 1862-1874; 0.45 cubic feet; 72 items) consist of 70 letters written by Appleton Sturgis, who served for ten months on a Union transport steamer, the Achilles, in the Peninsular campaign in Virginia and Maryland. These lengthy letters contain detailed descriptions of military life, battles, strategy, and a variety of hand-drawn illustrations and maps. They also include Sturgis' personal observations of a tour of the ironclad Monitor (Box 1, Folder 19); of President Abraham Lincoln (Box 1, Folder 21); and various military personnel, including Admiral David Farragut, General Nathaniel P. Banks, General Benjamin Butler, General Ulysses S. Grant, and General William T. Sherman (Box 1, Folder 43). Sturgis also describes in these letters the work he does on behalf of his father, obtaining charters and certificates for company ships to be contracted out to the Union. Additionally, the collection includes one telegram and one general release document.
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