The Papers include his personal and family correspondence, 1854-1878 and 1882-1926, mostly with his parents, brother (Frank), sister (Maggie), and his bride, or soon to be wife (Fannie Spencer). There are four diaries, 1860-1864, which like his letters discuss marches, battles, General McClellan and General Hooker, the treatment of soldiers, and cadets shot for desertion. Letters prior to and after the Civil War discuss life and business in Detroit. Part of the collection includes eleven muster rolls of Company E, 7th Michigan Infantry, June 1861-August 1863, and nine monthly returns, October 1862-September 1863. These are now separately housed with the collection of oversized Civil War muster rolls. Lists of military supplies and men killed may be found in Curtiss’ 1864 diary. There are also photographs of Curtiss and one of Fannie, including one of her in a 1855 New Testament. An illustration of the Curtiss homestead is found in one April 1907 issue of the Huntington Hills (p.3). Lastly, item index cards are available to assist researchers.
Biography:
Charles Henry Curtiss, also spelled Curtis, was born in 1837 in Huntington, Shelton, Connecticut. He moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1855 and worked in a Glower and Fitch store. In early 1860, he planned to sell sewing machines. Curtiss served in the 7th Infantry as Quarter-Master Sergeant for three years beginning in 1861 at the age of 23. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Co. E in 1862, detailed as adjutant in January 1863, and was commissioned as First Lieutenant in February 1863. By August 1863 he was Aide-de-Camp to Colonel Carroll. He was commissioned Captain in March 1864. In June 1864, he was honorably discharged. Curtiss married Fannie Spencer from Connecticut, who was a school teacher. They lived in Detroit. (This information is from the Regimental History of the 7th Infantry and old findings aids).
