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Manuscript Group 448
OSCAR BRADFORD SHARPLESS PAPERS
1861-1865
48 items


Oscar Bradford Sharpless was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on July 25th in either 1844 or 1845. He served in the Civil War from 1861-1865 in Company H of the 93rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Entering service as a Private, Sharpless rose through the ranks to 1st Lieutenant and was promoted by brevet to Captain for meritorious service in the assault on Petersburg. After the War, Sharpless worked as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. He moved to Wyoming and became a deputy sheriff during the Johnson County Wars and went on buffalo hunts with Buffalo Bill Cody. After it was opened for settlement, Sharpless moved his family to Oklahoma.

The papers include original letters and related papers of Oscar Sharpless during his Civil War service in Company H, 93rd Regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-1865. Each letter is accompanied by a photocopy of typed transcript done in the 1930s by his daughter Lois. The letters describe camp life and battles in which Sharpless fought. There are also a few copies of original letters included in the collection. The original letters remain with the family. The majority of the letters in the collection are from Oscar Sharpless to his family. A few of the letters are specifically addressed to his parents, his sister Dille, or another family member or friend. Battles mentioned by Sharpless include Sharpsburg (Antietam), Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the siege of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and Appomattox Courthouse. Two of the letters briefly comment on his wounding at the Battle of Gettysburg and his subsequent experience in the Hospital. A brief mention of the assassination of President Lincoln is made in one of the letters.



PA State Archives Hours, Directions, & Fees Research Topics Online Catalog Land Records