Charles Alfred DeSaussure memoirs (typescript copies)
Collection Overview
Typescript copies of Charles Alfred DeSaussure's memoirs of plantation life (1850-1870) and life in the Confederate Army. The first manuscript describes special events and experiences primarily at Woodstock Plantation (Beaufort District, S.C.), the distribution of food and goods to slaves, the activities of slaves, names and descriptions of slaves and their work, religious life, Gullah language and people, and DeSaussure's education and recreational activities (swimming, boating, and riding). The second manuscript (1931) concerns the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery and Company C of the 8th South Carolina Regiment. DeSaussure describes life in camp (including forms of entertainment), the duties of the picket squad, hunger and the search for food and other provisions, the advance of Sherman, encounters with the enemy in South and North Carolina during his 575 mile march, and the difficult times encountered after the war.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1931
Creator
- DeSaussure, Charles Alfred, 1846- (Person)
Language of Material
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Biographical Note
Resident of McPhersonville, Woodstock Plantation, Beaufort, and surrounding areas in South Carolina during his youth. Charles Alfred DeSaussure was the son of Dr. Louis McPherson DeSaussure. DeSaussure joined the Confederate Army, Company C of Captain Columbus Haile, in 1863 when he was 16 years old. He later transferred to the Beaufort Artillery. In 1931 DeSaussure wrote about his life when living in Memphis, Tennessee.
Extent
1 folder (2 items)
Subject
Genre / Form
Geographic
- South Carolina -- History -- 1775-1865
- South Carolina -- Social life and customs
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Woodstock Plantation (Hampton County, S.C.)
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- Inventory of the Charles Alfred DeSaussure Memoirs (Typescript Copies), approximately 1931
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by: Special Collections staff; finding aid created by: Special Collections staff
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)