Alphonse Peter Laurent letterbook, 1863-1867 | Louisiana Research Collection

By Ariel St.Etienne

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Collection Overview

Title: Alphonse Peter Laurent letterbook, 1863-1867

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 434

Primary Creator: Laurent, A. P. (Alphonse Peter)

Extent: 1.0 Folders

Arrangement: The collection consists of one folder containing one letterbook.

Date Acquired: 04/27/1960

Subjects: Fort Delaware (Del.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865., Fort LaFayette (N.Y.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865., Laurent, A. P. (Alphonse Peter), Prisoner-of-war camps., Prisoners of war -- Delaware -- Fort Delaware., Prisoners of war -- New York -- Fort LaFayette., United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons.

Forms of Material: Letterbooks.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection is comprised of a letterbook of Alphonse Peter Laurent, dated 1863 to 1867. The majority of the letters were written while Laurent was a prisoner of war during the Civil War. The letters briefly continue when he returned to his family in Havana and resumed his job as a master of ships. Some of the letters were written from New Orleans.

Biographical Note

Alphonse Peter Laurent (b. 1828) was a British ship master and blockade runner who was captured by the United States in 1862 and held as a prisoner of war in Fort Lafayette, N.Y., and Fort Delaware, Del. His family had been left in Havana, Cuba. These letters written by A. P. Laurent are primarily appeals for release; after his release in a prisoner exchange, he wrote from Charleston, S.C., New Orleans, La., and Nassau, to various parties, expressing hardships and seeking support. The cover of the letterbook lists years, "63-70", indicating that this may be an incomplete set.

Subject/Index Terms

Fort Delaware (Del.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Fort LaFayette (N.Y.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Laurent, A. P. (Alphonse Peter)
Prisoner-of-war camps.
Prisoners of war -- Delaware -- Fort Delaware.
Prisoners of war -- New York -- Fort LaFayette.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: Alphonse Peter Laurent letterbook, Manuscripts Collection 434, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection finding aid created by intern Ariel St. Etienne.

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated July 2012 by Eira Tansey

Other Note: OCLC Number: 801684013

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Folder:

[Folder 1: Alphonse Peter Laurent letterbook, 1863-1867],
[All]

Folder 1: Alphonse Peter Laurent letterbook, 1863-1867: This folder contains a letterbook of A.P. Laurent and photocopies of the letterbook. This letterbook is comprised of contemporary copies of letters Alphonse Peter Laurent wrote to family, friends, and government officials. Alphonse Peter Laurent was born May 5, 1828 in Sommertown Oxford, England. Laurent was captured by the United States Government on September 23, 1862 as master of the British Schooner "Isabel," leaving his wife and family in Havana. The letters began after Laurent was released from Key West and sent to Fort Lafayette, New York. As a citizen of England, Laurent continually requested his release under the protection of "Her Britannic Majesty," but did not receive a favorable response. In April of 1863, Laurent is sent to Fort Delaware and is exchanged and released as a prisoner of war. He eventually made his way back to Havana in June of 1863.

Tulane University Special Collections