Henry Patterson’s Civil War correspondence from 1862-1863 and his brother, James Patterson’s Civil War correspondence from 1862. Also included are photocopies of military documents, maps, and photographs.

Many of the letters are on stationery decorated with woodcut patriotic emblems--shields, stars, eagles, flags--in red or blue. Illustrations on the other letters include lithographs by A.M. McLean of Camp Benton, St. Louis, and the St. Louis Fair Grounds.

The letters describe camp life, encounters with rebels, marches, the weather, life in camp, requests for mail, the cost of stamps, foraging in the Arkansas countryside, Arkansas inhabitants, James' December death in the battle of Prairie Grove, and Henry's tenure in the hospital in Springfield. In particular, the early letters--many with their post-marked envelopes, addressed to their mother, Eleanor Patterson, and sisters Sarah and Sue--describe army life at Camp Siegle near Rolla, Missouri, the marches and encampments, food, past-times, state of health, weather, and the surrounding countryside. Henry writes to his mother and sisters on Dec. 20, 1862 from the hospital, having just received notice of James’ death.

Accompanying the letters are ten unbound leaves containing photocopies of military documents pertaining to the Pattersons, including Henry’s muster-in rolls for the company and the hospital; James’ muster-in roll, casualty sheet, official certification of death in action, and inventory of his personal effects; photocopies of photographs of Union and Confederate officers who fought at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove; photocopied maps of the movements of the 19th Regiment and of the Battle of Prairie Grove.