DACS

derbygeorgemcclellan Inventory of the George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated Processed by: Danielle Moore; machine-readable finding aid created by: Danielle Moore David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 004038484

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: August 2010Processed by Danielle Moore, August 2010; finding aid encoded by Danielle Moore, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, August 2010 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Derby, George M. George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated Material in English 0.4 Linear Feet 145 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. George McClellan Derby (1856-1948) was a U.S. Army engineer recognized for his aerial balloon assents and reconnaissance efforts during the Santiago de Cuba campaign of the Spanish-American War. For the majority of his military career, he was involved in river engineering projects throughout the United States. The collection includes letters to George McClellan Derby, letters to his wife, Bessie (Kidder) Derby, and several letters written by Derby to his mother. Over 50 letters are grouped by originator within the George McClellan Derby series, 29 of which pertain to Derby's military career, mainly in relation to his responsibilities as Assistant Engineer in charge of New York river and harbor works during the mid-1880s. Nearly 90 letters, written by Derby's friend and uncle-in-law, Clarence F. Low, are arranged chronologically by year within the Clarence F. Low series. The collection, chiefly personal in nature, offers insights into the private life of this prominent military engineer and an indication of the challenges involved in conducting underwater explosions. Materials range in date from 1874 to 1907, 1924, and undated. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], George McClellan Derby Letters, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Provenance

The George McClellan Derby Letters were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Danielle Moore, August 2010

Encoded by Danielle Moore, August 2010

Accession 2008-0258 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note 1856 Nov. 1 Born at sea to George Horatio Derby (1823-1861) and Mary A. (Coons) Derby 1865-1871 Educated in Paris, Dresden, and Lausanne, Switzerland 1874-1878 Attended the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. (# 2717); graduated top of class 1878 June 14 Promoted to Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army 1881 Jan. 2 Promoted to First Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers 1881-1889 Served as Assistant Engineer in charge of river and harbor works in New York and northeastern New Jersey including the Hell Gate obstruction removal project 1888 Apr. 7 Promoted to Captain, Corps of Engineers 1889-1893 Taught at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. 1893-1894 Served as Assistant to Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia 1894-1902 In charge of 4th District, Mississippi River improvements 1898 May 9 Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Chief Engineer, U.S. Volunteers 1898 July 5 Promoted to Major, Corps of Engineers 1898 July 5-Oct. 1 Served as Chief Engineer, Fifth Army Corps, in Cuba during the Santiago campaign of the Spanish-American War, and later as Chief Engineer, Second Army Corps 1902-1903 In charge of Louisville and Portland canal and other river and harbor works in Louisville, Kentucky 1903-1906 In charge of reservoirs at headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota 1904 Apr. 4 Married Bessie Kidder (b. 1884) of New Orleans, daughter of Bessie (Low) Kidder and niece of Clarence F. Low 1906 May 5 Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers 1907 June 7 Retired at own request from military service 1948 Oct. 25 Died in New Orleans, Louisiana Collection Overview

The collection includes letters to George McClellan Derby, a military engineer recognized for his aerial balloon assents and reconnaissance efforts during the Santiago de Cuba campaign of the Spanish-American War, as well as letters to his wife, Bessie (Kidder) Derby, and several letters written by Derby to his mother. Over 50 letters are grouped by originator within the George McClellan Derby series, 29 of which pertain to Derby's military career, mainly in relation to his responsibilities as Assistant Engineer in charge of New York river and harbor works during the mid-1880s. Nearly 90 letters, written by Derby's friend and uncle-in-law, Clarence F. Low, are arranged chronologically by year within the Clarence F. Low series. The collection, chiefly personal in nature, offers insights into the private life of this prominent military engineer and an indication of the challenges involved in conducting underwater explosions. Materials range in date from 1874 to 1907, 1924, and undated.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Derby, George M. Derby, Bessie. Low, Clarence F. Communication in families--History. Families of military personnel--History. River engineering--New York (State)--History--19th century. Underwater explosions--History--19th century. United States Military Academy--Students--History--19th century. New Orleans (La.)--History--20th century. Letters (correspondence). Contents of Collection George McClellan Derby Series, 1874-1902, 1924, and undated (4 folders)

The series includes several letters from Derby to his mother that reflect his struggle adjusting to life at West Point (1874-1875 and undated), and two letters written to her while on leave in France (1888); 15 letters to Derby from his mother (1895-1896, 1902, and undated) along with two enclosed letters from others; 29 letters to Derby that pertain to his efforts as a military engineer, most of which are from suppliers such as Hecla Powder Co., Rendrock Powder Co., and Rand Drill Co. regarding explosives and other equipment required for removing underwater obstructions (1884-1886 and undated); and 3 items from other sources including a telegram dated 1924.

1Letters from Derby, 1874-1875, 1888, and undated Letters from Derby's mother, 1895-1896, 1902, and undated Letters from military suppliers and personnel, 1884-1886 and undated Letters from others, 1924 and undated Clarence F. Low Series, 1898-1907 and undated (5 folders)

The series includes more than 80 letters to Derby or to his wife from her uncle, Clarence F. Low, the Resident Secretary of the New Orleans office of Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Company of England. Although written or typed on company letterhead paper, most of the letters are personal, revealing a fatherly love and concern for his niece, whom he called Marjorie, and for Derby, his friend and son-in-law as of 1904. Many are signed Nunkie. Letters dating from late 1906 to early 1907 provide regular accounts of the Derby's young son, George Townsend, who resided with Low in New Orleans while Derby and his wife vacationed in Italy.

1Letters from Clarence Low, 1898-1903 Letters from Clarence Low, 1904 Letters from Clarence Low, 1905 Letters from Clarence Low, 1906 Letters from Clarence Low, 1907 and undated