The Storer family papers comprise 11 letters and 5 military documents, spanning 1851-1865. Alexander Storer wrote the four earliest letters during a trip around New York and Ohio in July 1851. In these letters, written to his wife and children, he gave detailed descriptions of viewing Niagara Falls, and commented on his food and accommodations.
George Storer wrote three letters in the collection in May and June 1863, during his service with the 27th Connecticut Infantry. On May 2, 1863, he recounted a surprise visit from his father and sister at camp, and noted that his regiment awaited orders to go to Washington, D.C. On June 10, 1863, he wrote about the dullness of camp life, his rations, and having an ambrotype taken, which he considered "poor" and decided not to send home.
Justus Storer contributed three letters. He described the opening of a pie shop next to his camp and his hopes of getting a furlough (November 22, 1863), the halting of furloughs (December 17, 1863), a yellow fever outbreak, and plans to look for a wife (December 2, 1864). His friend Adelbert H. Whaley, also in the 15th Connecticut Infantry, wrote one letter, in which he described the death of a sergeant, furloughs allowing soldiers to vote, and new recruits, some of whom he characterized as "the worst kind of dead beats" (September 27, 1864).
The Document series contains five items related to the Civil War service the Storer brothers. The items concerning Justus Storer are an 1862 appointment as 4th sergeant, an 1865 promotion to 1st sergeant, and 1865 discharge papers. Also included are an 1863 draft notice for Henry Storer, and a letter of introduction, allowing Alexander Storer to visit his son George in Annapolis.
Storer, Justus
Rank: 1st Sgt.
Regiment: 15th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. Co. D (1862-1865)
Service: 1862 July 31-1865 March 26
Storer, George
Rank: Pvt.
Regiment: 27th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. Co. A (1862-1863)
New Haven grocer Alexander Storer and his wife had four children: Justus (b. ca. 1837), Mary, George, and Henry. Justus enlisted as a 4th sergeant in the 15th Connecticut Infantry, Company D, on July 31, 1862. He was captured on March 8, 1865, at Kinston, North Carolina, and paroled on March 26, 1865. He mustered out as a 1st sergeant on June 27, 1865. His brother George enlisted as a private in Company A, 27th Connecticut Infantry, which was organized at New Haven in October 1862. He fought at Fredericksburg, and was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, but survived the war. Henry Storer received notice that he had been drafted on July 18, 1863, but apparently did not enroll in any Connecticut regiment.