A Guide to the Aaron S. Oberly Letter Describing Havana, Cuba, in 1865
Finding aid prepared by John R. Nemmers
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
August 2004
Descriptive Summary |
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| Provenance: | Oberly, Aaron Shimer. | |
| Title: | Letter Describing Havana, Cuba, in 1865 | |
| Dates: | 1865 | |
| Extent: | 1 Folder | |
| Identification: | Ms Group 164 | |
Biographical/Historical Note
Oberly served as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, primarily at the naval academy located at Newport, Rhode Island. In addition, he served aboard various vessels including the U.S.S. Sabine, U.S.S. Kineo, U.S.S. Santee, U.S.S. Macedonia, and the U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba.
Scope and Content
Manuscript letter dated April 5, 1865, written aboard the U.S. Steamer Santiago de Cuba by U.S. Navy Assistant Surgeon Aaron S. Oberly. In the four-page letter, Oberly describes his stay at Havana, Cuba, and discusses the people, the climate, the music, and the activity on the roads and docks of the city. He refers to seeing a blockade runner flying a Confederate flag and mentions that his own ship had "left last Saturday night the harbor of Charleston." The letter is addressed to "Maria," probably Maria A. Woodford of New Haven, Connecticut.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
Collection is open for research.
Related Material
Aaron Shimer Oberly Papers, Auburn University, Special Collections and Archives Dept.
Aaron S. Oberly Letters, University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Aaron S. Oberly Letter Describing Havana, Cuba, in 1865, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum, New Jersey, 1998.
Selected Subjects and Access Points |
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| The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog: | ||
| Subject Terms: | ||
| Havana (Cuba) -- Description and travel. | ||
| Santiago de Cuba (Steamship) | ||
| United States. Navy -- Surgeons -- Civil War, 1861-1865. | ||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.
