Fayssoux, C.I. (1820-1897) Collection of William Walker Papers, 1830-1937

COLLECTION GUIDE

Prepared by Barbara Frausto, November 1980.

The Fayssoux Collection includes letters, documents, and records of C.I. Fayssoux (1820-1897), aide de camp to William Walker. The material dates from 1830-1937 with the majority of it from the period 1855-1860. The collection is catalogued according to subject matter.

Pre-1855 material consists of personal letters and papers of Fayssoux. The content of these reflects aspects of life in antebellum New Orleans such as dueling protocol and matters relating to social functions.

The majority of the correspondence dates from 1855-1860 and relates chiefly to William Walker's military campaign in Central America. General subjects are as follows: attempts to raise money and recruit men for the Walker forces, efforts to publicize the expedition, and descriptions of military plans for action in Central America. There are over 100 letters from Walker to Fayssoux and others which pertain to military orders and directives. Other correspondence from this period includes communiques between Fayssoux and enemy forces and telegrams relating to the capture, sentence, and execution of William Walker.

Most of the documents contained in the collection pertain to military matters and include general order books, muster rolls, payrolls, and cash accounts. Other records related to the Walker administration of Nicaragua and include the granting of commissions and appointments to office, proclamations, and record books of immigrants to Nicaragua.

The Fayssoux Collection contains numerous newspaper clippings dating from 1855-1860 which give accounts of Walker's activities in Central America. Post-1860 material relates primarily to the aftermath of the Walker expedition. Among the correspondence are letters from Walker relatives to Fayssoux requesting information regarding Walker. Other letters are from individuals who served in the Walker campaign.

Also included in the Fayssoux Collection are miscellaneous items such as maps, photographs, drawings, and journals.

Arrangement of the Collection

Box 1, Folders 1-46
Letters and documents, 1842-1899, 144 items.

Box 2, Folders 46-95
Letters and documents, 1830-1895, 92 items.

Box 3, Folders 96-115
Letters and documents, 1840-1864, 70 items.

Box 4, Folders 116-146
Letters and documents, 1842-1860, 46 items.

Box 5, Folders 147-180
Letters, documents, clippings, photographs, 1850-1895, 1933, 97 items.

Box 6, Folders 180-191
Documents and clippings, 1854-1893, 1937, 37 items.

Box 7, Folders 93, 111B, 120
Documents (Oversized), 1856-1857, 3 items.

For greater detail see the printed collection guide in the LAL office. Also see the detailed collection inventory by the WPA Historical Records Survey, May 1937 (LAL F1421.T955 no. 1).

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Last updated: October 10, 1997