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Extensive John B. Batchelder Archive

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Significant archive of drawings, letters, documents, photographs, as well as Batchelder's uniform, kepi, sword and other personal items of John B. Batchelder (1825-1894), an instructor and later principal at the Pennsylvania Military Institute, never served in US Volunteer or Federal Forces during the Civil War, but rose to become one of the most influential nineteenth century military historians whose interpretations of the Battle of Gettysburg are studied to this day. Batchelder began working as an artist in the 1850s, commissioned to paint various views in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and New York. Immediately following the conflict of Gettysburg, he started from home for the scene of the battle and spent nearly 90 days carefully surveying and sketching its territory. He also collected oral histories from participants and followed inquiries from both sides of the conflict for years after the war had ended. Much of Batchelder's life was devoted to the study, survey, and documentation of the Battle of Gettysburg and the topographical features on the battlefield and the surrounding countryside. Indeed, many of the battlefield monuments are located in positions chosen by Batchelder. His obituary stated: "Colonel Batchelder knew more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any other man ever knew about any great battle that was ever fought." This impressive archive includes: 1) Correspondence Group; Approximately 90 pieces in total, including approximately 40 letters from Batchelder to his family and colleagues, with numerous descriptions of battlefields he visited during the Civil War, as well as letters concerning his production of some of his more notable works. Most letters written to his wife, Elizabeth, a niece of General Benjamin Butler. Other correspondence includes letters written to Batchelder in later years, mostly from his children or other family members. A few war-date examples of letter by Batchelder:Yorktown, VA, May 10, 1864: "…I shall go ashore and go back about three miles to make a sketch of the battery taken by three companies of the 1st Massachusetts Regt and after than shall be governed by circumstances…the harbor combines hundreds of vessels loaded principally with stores for the Army. But very few houses are to be seen and those of the simplest construction, old and decayed…I understand that most of the troops have advanced…I wish to see the fortifications which must hereafter be of double historical interest…" Yorktown, VA, 16 May 1862: "…The houses were mostly occupied by sick and wounded men though they are being shipped north as fast as possible…Trees in most cases have been cut down and arranged in zig zag lines all around the town, which about a half mile across…Large amounts of ammunition remain…as far as I went the ground lay scattered with the remains of clothing…Many tents still remain containing men who were hardly well enough to march with the army…At one place I saw a cluster of about 40 tents which I found was the Hospital of Gen. Hooker's Division. I spent two nights with the surgeon. I found he had about 170 sick in various stages…" Army of the Potomac Medical Purveyor's Office, 18 December 1863: "…I have been with the Army two weeks this morning…Most of the time I have been hard at work for I have but just completed the 3d Corps. I have visited every Regiment in that Corps and located its position to the satisfaction of the parties concerned…I have visited many persons here that we are accustomed to read of at home. I have been to Headquarters several times, Genls Meade, Humphrey, Hunt &c all express themselves pleased with my drawing. I have also seen Generals French, Carr, Ward, Warren, &c. Genl. Warren commanding 2d Corps sent for me to come and see him as he was going home. He had charge of the Engineer Corps at the battle of Gettysburg giving him the opportunity to know more of the field than most officers. I rode over to see him a few days since and spent an hour with him looking over the picture. He complimented me upon its accuracy and ordered a nice copy for himself…" Brandy Station, 25 November [1864]: "… Notwithstanding all I have read of the sufferings of Virginia and all that I have myself seen I had no idea of the utter desolation of the country…We passed Fairfax Station a dilapidated rough board building with a barren soil swept of Everything with numberless crosses holding a grand funeral service over all marked the place. To Manassas Junction all hundreds of broken burned and despoiled cars…" 2) Sketchbook and Drawings; Small sketchbook containing original drawings and notes including an 1878 ink and color wash drawing of a Sioux burial canopy at the Standing Rock reservation in Dakota Territory; flowerpot from the Chicago Exposition, 1878; a billiard table; flower stand; hot air balloon; etc. 16mo. Bound in leather. The sketchbook signed by Batchelder. With a small group of unsigned sketches on small sheets of paper, including portraits of soldiers, a three-masted ship, etc. 3) Engraving; "Gettysburg. Repulse of Longstreet's Assault." After the painting by James Walker, historically arranged by John B. Batchelder and engraved by H. B. Hall, Jr. India proof (22 x 41 inches). Black wood frame. 4) Paper Ephemera; Several items, including an original 1868 booklet issued as the key to his bird's eye view of the Gettysburg battlefield, a printed advertisement for "Batchelder's Album of New England Scenery" and a document signed by the Governor of Pennsylvania appointing Batchelder as an aide-de-camp. Also includes a folding map engraved by Batchelder and a song sheet titled The Heart of our Country. 5) Photographs; Full-plate ambrotype of John Badger Batchelder and Elizabeth B. Stevens. Noted on verso in pencil as being taken in Salem, Massachusetts, 1853. Housed in brass mat. Crazing with even spidered emulsion loss. Seven small original albumens of Batchelder in uniform in two different poses, likely taken, c. 1855 while he was teaching at the Pennsylvania Military Institute. 5 mounted. One framed. Large framed photograph of a group of young officers, all in full dress uniform with belts and swords, one row seated, one row standing, presumably from the Pennsylvania Military Institute. Batchelder is pictured in the standing row, third from the right. A large format albumen (13 ¼ x 7 inches). Framed. Large albumen photograph on the original mount by Tipton of Gettysburg, PA, illustrating a group of ladies and gentlemen in Devil's Den.Titled in the negative "R. I Exc. Devil's Den Oct 14th [18]86." Photograph measures 17" x 14" and the image size is 15 ½ x 12 ¾ inches. 6) Batchelder's Sword; Officer's sword marked Horstmann Bros. & Co., New York, with a 32" curved, heavily-etched single-edged blade. Cast brass hilt. Wire-wrapped leather grip. Steel scabbard with two ring mounts. Oval presentation plaque between mounts: "Presented to/Prof. J.B. Batchelder,/by the friends of the/Penna. Military Institute,/Reading July 4th 1851". In very good condition. 7) Batchelder's uniform, epaulettes and kepi; Frock coat dating between 1875-1885. A custom made, non-regulation military style frock coat, dbl-breasted, of dark blue wool with a standing collar. Two rows of 7 buttons each, which are 3-pc brass buttons with a lined background and the intertwined fancy letters "BSR" back marked "Scovill Mf'g Co./Waterbury." Scattered mothing, particularly on the backside of the jacket with a couple of holes on the front right side. Original gold plate epaulettes in the original paper box. Good condition. Navy blue kepi. In poor condition. 6) Batchelder's gun; 9-mm, 6" barrel French or Belgian double-action iron frame pin fire revolver. Scroll engraved frame and cylinder. Checkered walnut grips. Traces of blue remain in protected areas. Unmarked. Circa 1850.

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