Table of Contents

Historical Note

Scope and Content Note

Information for Researchers

Administrative Information

Collection Inventory

Subject Headings

Inventory of the Capt. Joseph A. Burt Jr. Papers

In the New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library

Historical Note

The 47th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers Militia was led by Col. Lucius B. Marsh, a Boston merchant, Lt. Col. Albert Stickney, and Major Austin S. Cushman. It was mustered at Camp Edwin M. Stanton, Boxford, MA in Nov. 7, 1862 for a term of nine months service.

The regiment moved to Camp Meigs, Readville prior to leaving the state on Nov. 29 for New York. During this time the 47th Regiment lost 225 men to desertion. On Dec. 31 the regiment embarked for New Orleans, LA. Upon their arrival they camped at the Metarie Racecourse at Carrolton, LA. and later on at Camp Parapet. During their time in Louisiana they were engaged in guarding a 30 mile long line of defense and were present during the siege of Port Hudson. They saw no battlefield action although one man was killed by guerrillas.

They left Carrolton, LA on Aug. 5, 1863 to return home to Massachusetts via Illinois where they arrived in Boston on the 18th. The regiment was mustered out September 1, 1863.

There is little else in this collection about Capt. Burt’s personal life. It is known that he was employed as a machinist in New Bedford, MA. He was born in Warren R.I. and served in the Warren Artillery Militia but later resided in New Bedford until his death in 1909.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains the records of Company D of the 47th Massachusetts Volunteers Militia. They were apparently collected by Capt. Joseph A. Burt Jr. during his term of duty in 1862-1863. Parts of the records are to be found in ledger books, including the Company Descriptive Book. It contains detailed lists of non-commissioned officers, men transferred, men discharged, a register of deaths and those who deserted. Other ledgers contain the Company Orders, the Company Morning Reports and The Company Clothing. The remainder of the military records consists of loose documents referring to Ordnance Stores, Personal Accounts, Muster Rolls and other Company business.

In addition, the collection contains Capt. Burt’s own copies of books about military instructions, procedures and tactics that have been removed and cataloged as part of the Library's printed collection.

Series I consists of a small collection of Capt. Burt’s previous military experience in the Warren, R.I. Artillery Militia, his enlistment examination for the 47th Regiment and other documents relating to his promotions. There is one personal letter from him to his wife and children.

Series II consists of ledger books and forms relating to the daily organization and maintenance of the regiment.

Series III consists of books of instruction on military skills and hymn books.

Series IV consists of miscellaneous post-war reunions.

Series V consists of two documents related to the ship Thomas Winslow (1864-1865) and a street plan of New Bedford.

Arrangement of Collection

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Information for Researchers

Access to Collections

Unrestricted. Consult librarian for an appointment.

Preferred Citation

New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library Mss 158, [sub-group, series, sub-series, folder/volume as appropriate], [item]

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 United States Code 552a) governs the use of materials that document private individuals, groups, and corporations.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction if the document does not infringe the privacy rights of an individual, group, or corporation. These specified conditions of authorized use include:

If the researcher later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," the researcher is personally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement and agrees to indemnify the New Bedford Whaling Museum from any legal action as a result of the error. Permission to obtain a photographic, xerographic, digital, or other copy of a document does not indicate permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, sell, distribute, or prepare derivative works from the document without permission from the copyright holder and from any private individual, group, or corporation shown or otherwise recorded.

Permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, prepare derivative works from, sell, or otherwise distribute the item must be obtained separately in writing from the holder of the original copyright (or if the creator is dead, from his/her heirs) as well as from any individual(s), groups, or corporations whose name, image, recorded words, or private information (e.g. employment information) may be reproduced in the source material. The holder of the original copyright is not necessarily the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is not legally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement when materials are wrongfully used after being provided to researchers for "fair use."

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if fulfillment of the order is judged in violation of copyright or federal or state privacy law. This institution also places restrictions on the use of cameras, photocopiers, and scanners in the research room.

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Administrative Information

Provenance

Materials in this collection were donated to the New Bedford Whaling Museum Library by Mrs. Edwina Vallieres in 1945 as part of Accession 1945.16.

Processing Information

Processed by: Jalien Hollister, 2017

Encoded by: Kristi Mukk, 11 November 2020

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Collection Inventory

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Subject Headings

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Vessel Names

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