Acca L. Purdy Correspondence Collection (1866)

Acca L. Purdy's Letters

Mrs. Acca L. Purdy begins writing from Brownsville on January 18, 1866, and her last correspondence is June 16, 1866--weeks before she and her husband are to arrive in Baltimore, MD. Her husband, Warren G. Purdy, is assigned to Fort Brown as the chief clerk under Major Plato, the Quartermaster. Her letters provide a glimpse into the life of a military wife as well as the general living conditions in Brownsville following the end of the U.S. Civil War.

Noteworthy subjects mentioned throughout the correspondence are as follows: Black soldiers (Buffalo Soldiers), Major Plato (Chief Quartermaster), Miller Hotel, Brazos Santiago, Major Pearce, The Ranchero [newspaper], Mr. Butts (Paymaster Clerk), General Mejia, Imperial army, Liberals, Rio Grande Courier [newspaper], White's Ranch, and Dr. Morse.

Important: The letters also contain offensive and racist language and imagery, especially in depictions of African Americans, people of Mexican descent, and other people of color. These harmful and racist perspectives are not representative of the beliefs of the University, library, or staff. It is our hope that our research guide provides historical context rather than perpetuates negative positions, language, values, and stereotypes.

Click on one of Mrs. Purdy's letters to access the original handwritten correspondence followed by a typed transcription.