Emmons Dexter Guild was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on September 11, 1843. He was the second son of Allen Dexter and Abby Tabor Guild. Guild joined the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry on December 14, 1861. After training at Camp Arnold in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the regiment was sent to Washington, D.C. where it saw action almost exclusively in Virginia as part of the Army of the Potomac.
E. D. Guild was captured by the enemy on the night of October 12, 1863, along with 46 others. Of that number, only three eventually returned home to Rhode Island. The majority of Guild's captivity was spent in Andersonville Prison. He was paroled February 26, 1865 and mustered out of the army April 1, 1865.
Guild married Ella Josephine Brown on June 26, 1870. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans group, and two fraternal organizations, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Oddfellows. He died in 1909.
At some point after the war, Guild wrote up his experiences as a prisoner of war in an undated pamphlet entitled
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Emmons Dexter Guild papers, Ms. 78.20, Brown University Library.
Sixty-seven of the hundred items in the Guild papers are letters written by Emmons Guild to his family in East Attleboro, Massachusetts. In these letters, Guild briefly describes his training, the journey to Washington, D.C., scouting, and battles and raids in which he and the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry took part. Mentioned in the letters is Abraham Lincoln as well as a number of generals who were prominent in the Army of the Potomac. Guild also writes of the men in his own company, many of whom would have been known to his family, and his experience in the Andersonville Prison. Day to day concerns are constant topics.
Included is a letter from William Chauncy Sherman to Abby Guild, E.D. Guild's mother. Sherman is thought to have eventually married Malzena Guild, Emmons sister.
Also in the correspondence is a letter from Lt. Charles Parker, C.S.A., to Abby T. Guild replying to her inquiry about her son following his capture.
Finally there are printed items that reflect Guild's continuing interest in the war, his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and several other fraternal organizations.
The collection is arranged into two series:
The Emmons Dexter Guild papers were originally placed on deposit with Brown University Library on April 1, 1969 by Mrs. Nancy G. DeCesare, great-granddaughter of Guild. Mrs. DeCesare subsequently transferred ownership of the collection to the Library on March 23, 1976.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Training and drilling at Camp Arnold, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Rumors of move to Washington, D.C. Urgent personal needs.
Telegram about departure delayed.
Journey to Washington, D.C. Received mounts. Visit to Capitol. Assignments to General Banks Division. Rumors of march to Winchester, Virginia.
Care of sick horses. Pay. Regiment at Warrenton, Virginia. Hard fighting at Yorktown.
Journey to Warrenton Junction, Virginia. Lost horses, search, treatment of population by Union troops. Illness of troops. Members of G troop taken prisoner. Mentions General James Ricketts.
A youth without a mother and "bosom friend" to Emmons wishing someone to write.
Near Manassas, Virginia. Visit from Rhode Island's Governor Sprague. Officers' resignation over appointment of Colonel Duffie. Now in General Pope's division. Mentions Gen. Irvin McDowell, Chauncy Sherman ill, mustered out.
Near Culpepper Courthouse, Virginia. Living off the land. Battle of Cedar Mountain. Near Alexandria, Virginia. John S. Brown and other friends taken prisoner. Mentions Generals Pope, Banks, Burnside, McDowell and Chauncy Sherman.
Enthusiasm for battle. Needs for winter. Raid on Leesburg, Virginia. Mentions John S. Brown and Chauncy Sherman.
Near Falmouth, Virginia. Winter. Fighting at Fredericksburg. Charge on Warrenton. Jeb Stuart in area. Mentions Gen. William W. Averell, Joseph Hooker and J.S. Brown.
Near Potomac Creek, Virginia. Pay. Wants a pocket watch. Skirmish on picket. Mentions Col. Alfred N. Duffie.
Near Potomac Creek. Battle of Kelly's Ford [March 17, 1863]. Review of troops by General Hooker and President Lincoln. Guild's attitude towards the draft. Mentions Lt. Simeon A. Brown and Gen. Joseph Hooker.
Near Potomac Creek. Chancellorsville. Defeat "
Mosby's cavalry. Battle of Middleburg. Encounter with Jeb Stuart, regiment taken prisoner. Guild's escape. Fears John S. Brown captured again.
Attached to headquarters. Mentions Gen. Warren.
Detached at 6th Corps Headquarters. Prices of goods and food. Execution of a deserter from the 12th New York. From Laundry Prison, Richmond, Virginia informing parents of capture. Mentions Frank Allen.
From Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland. Reply to a request for information about her son.
From Camp Parole, Annapolis. Brief report of sickness and captivity in Andersonville Prison. Deaths of acquaintances.
Manufacture of war relics from Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia.
Printed letters (2), General Orders No. 15 and 16. Statue of General Sheridan in Washington, D.C. List of "Aides-de-camp" for reunion in Boston.
Pokanoket Tribe No. 38, Attleboro, Massachusetts. Orders for money, checks, receipts, and memoranda.
Orient Lodge No. 165. Attleboro, Massachusetts. Certificate, proof of membership.
Mansfield, Massachusetts. Receipt with letter of transmittal.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Promissory notes: 1906 Mar 6 and 28.
2 small U.S. Flags and 1 Massachusetts regimental badge