Guide to the John A. Larter Civil War Papers 1862-1899 MG 1686

Descriptive Summary
Biographical Note:
Scope and Content Note
Access Points
Administrative Information
Container List

Guide to the John A. Larter Civil War Papers
1862-1899

MG 1686

The New Jersey Historical Society
52 Park Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Contact: NJHS Library
(973) 596-8500 x249
library@jerseyhistory.org

New Jersey Historical Society

Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. August 2008. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English.

Descriptive Summary
Creator:	Larter, John A., 1840-1893.
Title::	John A. Larter Civil War Papers
Dates:	1862-1899
Abstract:	This collection contains the diary and correspondence of Civil War soldier John A. Larter, who served in the New Jersey Volunteers Company B 26th Regiment.
Quantity:	.22 linear feet (1 box)
Collection Number:	MG 1686

Biographical Note

John Alfred Larter was born Sept 2, 1840 in Newark, N.J. He resided at 230 Plane St. in Newark. He served for 9 months during the Civil War in the New Jersey Volunteers Company B 26th Regiment. The regiment was organized at Camp Frelinghuysen, Newark, N.J., and mustered in on September 18, 1862. The Regiment headed through Washington D.C and Maryland and were attached to the Army of the Potomac in the Fall of 1862. They took part in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. in December 1862. They also took part in General Burnside’s “Mud March” in January 1863 and later the Chancellorsville Campaign, operations at Franklin’s Crossing, the Battle of Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Banks’ Ford, and Franklin’s Crossing. They reached Washington, D.C. in June 1863 and were later mustered out at Newark, N.J., on June 27, 1863. In total, the regiment lost 15 men killed or wounded in combat and 21 men by disease.

Larter also spent time at Camp Nelson in Kentucky. After his service in the war, he married Matilda “Tillie” L. Passmore (1841-1884) in September 1865. His family ran a prominent Newark, N.J. business, Larter & Sons Jewelry, founded as Larter Elcox & Co. in 1865. Larter died from tuberculosis in 1893.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains a pocket handwritten diary that details the daily events of the life of Civil War soldier John A. Larter. Among his recollections are miltary marches, encampments, skirmishes, church and prayer services he attended, and letters he received from friends and family. There is also correspondence including a response from his future father-in-law regarding Larter’s marriage proposal to his future wife Tillie. There is also a letter of resignation written by Larter prior to his pending death from tuberculosis. Included is also Larter’s wedding invitation and marriage certificate. There is also correspondence regarding stocks on Larter Elcox & Co. stationary from Frederick Larter to his sister.

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Access Points

The entries below represent persons, organizations, topics, forms, and occupations documented in this collection.

Subject Names:

Larter, Frederick H.
Larter, John A., 1840-1893.
Larter, Matilda, 1841-1884.
Passmore, S.

Subject Organizations:

Larter & Sons Jewelry (Newark, N.J.)
United States. Army. New Jersey Infantry Regiment, 26th (1862-1863).

Subject Topics:

New Jersey–History–Civil War, 1861-1865.
Soldiers.
United States–History–Civil War, 1861-1865.

Subject Places:

Newark (N.J.)

Document Types:

Diaries.
Invitations.
Letters (Correspondence).