The Vandergrift papers contain eight manuscripts related to William R. Vandergrift's building projects around Philadelphia, Pa., 1855-1857, and six Civil War-related items retained by Mr. Vandergrift, 1862-1863.
Two letters, two documents, two construction diagrams, one memorandum, and one financial account reflect William Vandergrift's work on various types of building projects, including the manufacture of custom shelves to the construction of a schoolhouse in Newportville, Pennsylvania. The two construction diagrams, a floorplan and an outdoor elevation, pertain to the Newportville schoolhouse project.
Three Civil War-related items concern Vandergrift's status with his local draft board, including notification of his eligibility for the draft, notification that he had been drafted, and a certificate that he had purchased a substitute.
Soldiers authored three letters in the collection. Two of these letters are from William's brother, Lewis R. Vandergrift, serving in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, and provide an ironic (though surely unintended) commentary on the troubles with draft substitutes in the ranks. The other letter, from his cousin Joseph Hill Sharp, a member of Company B, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, contains an excellent first-person account of the battle of Fair Oaks and the carnage and pillage that followed.
Vandergrift, Lewis R.
Rank: Private; Corporal (1863 May 1); Sergeant (1863 November 1)
Regiment: 118th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Co. B (1862-1865)
Service: 1862 August 13-1865 June 1
Sharp, Joseph Hill
Rank: Private
Regiment: 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Co. B (1862-1864)
Service: 1861 August 9-1864 September 4
William R. Vandergrift, a builder and woodworker, in Bristol, Bucks Co., Pa., delayed entering military service during the Civil War long enough to make himself vulnerable to being drafted. Late in July, 1863, his number came up, but Vandergrift, loath to serve for unstated reasons, purchased a substitute and remained at home, presumably safe and sound. Meanwhile, his brother, Lewis, was serving in the army, rising through the ranks to 1st Sergeant of Co. B, 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, and his cousin, Joseph Hill Sharp, served as a private of Co. B of Birney's Zouaves, the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, until his wounding at Cold Harbor and discharge for disability three months later.
