MenuInventory of the George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated
Abstract
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.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Derby, George M.
- Title
- George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 0.4 Linear Feet, 145 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
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.
Administrative Information
A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
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.
Use Restrictions
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.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllThe 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.
Clarence F. Low Series, 1898-1907 and undated
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.
Historical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Subject Headings
- 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).
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.