Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Othniel Gooding Papers
c.00275
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Gooding, Othniel
- Title
- Othniel Gooding papers
- ID
- c.00275
- Date [inclusive]
- 1862-1892
- Extent
- 0.1 Cubic feet , 3 folders
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."
Biographical Note
Othniel Gooding was born about 1835 in New York. Gooding enlisted in Company A, Michigan 4th Cavalry Regiment on August 28, 1862. He was mustered out on July 1, 1865 at Nashville, TN.
He married Lucy Jane Dexter. Gooding died in 1920.
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of Civil War letters from Othniel Gooding of the 4th Michigan Cavalry to his fiancee, Lucy Dexter of Milan, Michigan. The 4th Michigan Cavalry was organized in August 1862, and spent much of the war in Tennessee and Kentucky, in scouting and foraging work. This work brought them into frequent clashes with Confederate forces. Gooding's letters describe life in camp, as well as foraging and scouting expeditions. He also comments on Union leaders such as George Thomas and William Rosecrans, passes on war news and camp rumors, and discusses political news. He reported that the realities of war and soldier's life had worn down his patriotism, and he remained opposed to freeing the slaves.
The collection also includes a booklet, "Col. R.H.G. Minty and the 4th Michigan Cavalry," which describes the regiment's war service.
The letters 1862-65 and the booklet have been transcribed, scanned and placed online at http://civilwar.archives.msu.edu/collection/7-1C-F/gooding/.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections December 1964
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
added biographical note November 2013
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of Chamberlain Memorial Museum, date unknown. Transferred by Michigan State University Museum
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Chamberlain Memorial Museum.
- United States. Army. Michigan Cavalry Regiment, 4th (1862-1865).
Genre(s)
- Letters (correspondence)
Geographic Name(s)
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Personal Name(s)
- Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876
- Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879
- Minty, R.H.G., Col., (Robert Horatio George), 1831-
- Rosecrans, William S., (William Starke), 1819-1898
Subject(s)
- Atlanta Campaign, 1864
- Chattanooga, Battle of, Chattanooga, Tenn., 1863
- Chickamauga, Battle of, Ga., 1863
Collection Inventory
|
Papers |
||||
| Folder | ||||
|
August 1862-July 1863 |
1 | |||
|
August 1863-June 1864 |
2 | |||
|
July 1864-May 1865, 1892 |
3 | |||