Manuscript letter written aboard the U.S. Steamer Santiago de Cuba by U.S. Navy Assistant Surgeon Aaron S. Oberly describing his stay in Cuba (formerly MS Group 164), 1865 April 5

File — Box: 1, Folder: 94

Staff Only

Correspondence from Aaron S. Oberly to Maria A. Woodford

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Scope and Contents

Manuscript letter dated April 5, 1865, written aboard the U.S. Steamer Santiago de Cuba by U.S. Navy Assistant Surgeon Aaron S. Oberly. In the four-page letter, Oberly describes his stay at Havana, Cuba, and discusses the people, the climate, the music, and the activity on the roads and docks of the city. He refers to seeing a blockade runner flying a Confederate flag and mentions that his own ship had "left last Saturday night the harbor of Charleston." The letter is addressed to "Maria," probably Maria A. Woodford of New Haven, Connecticut.

Dates

Creation: 1865 April 5

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Oberly served as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, primarily at the naval academy located at Newport, Rhode Island. In addition, he served aboard various vessels including the U.S.S. Sabine, U.S.S. Kineo, U.S.S. Santee, U.S.S. Macedonia, and the U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.16 Linear Feet (2 boxes; one oversize box)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Spanish; Castilian

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum, New Jersey, 1998.

Related Materials

Other related materials include the Aaron Shimer Oberly Papers, Auburn University, Special Collections and Archives Dept., and the Aaron S. Oberly Letters, University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library.