Bostock Family Papers (c.00562)

Henry and William Bostock were brothers from Michigan who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Henry was born circa 1843. He enlisted in 1861 in Company E of the 6th Regiment of the Michigan Infantry. He died on June 30, 1863 from a bullet wound at Port Hudson, Louisiana. His brother William enlisted in 1861 and served in Company K of the 10th Regiment of the Michigan Infantry. They wrote to their mother, Maria Bostock of Marshall, Michigan, while they were in the war. They also had another brother, George, who is mentioned in their letters and served in the 10th Michigan. The Henry Bostock letters consist mostly of correspondence from him to his mother in Michigan. The letters contain descriptions of camp life and conditions, pay, items he wished his mother would send, his regiment movements, as well as descriptions of commanders. The majority of the letters date from 1862. Also included is a letter to his brother William, a letter from George Blashfield to Captain Cogswell about the circumstances of Henry's death, a letter from Captain Cogswell to Henry's mother informing her of Henry's death, the words to the song "When This War is Over", and a receipt for the effects of Henry after his death. Henry's journal contains a list of the officers of the 6th regiment for 1861 and January and February 1863. These list the Captains and 1st and 2nd Sergeants for Companies A-K. The diary entries are for August 1862 - May 1863. The entries describe the locations of the camps and camp news. The entries begin while he was in Michigan and chronicle his movements south. Also included with the journal is a picture of Henry Bostock. The certificate is one that Henry received in August 1861 appointing him to Corporal. The William Bostock letters are mostly letters to his mother. He writes about joining the Veterans Corps, his movements during the war, fighting experiences, and camp life. Also included with the letters are a few "memorandums" which are diary entries that often describe what the regiment did that day.