Skip to main content

Robert Leslie Wiles journal

 Collection
Identifier: Midwest-MS-Wiles

Abstract

Union soldier who served as corporal in Company D of the 11th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, 1863-1865. It is likely that Wiles was a Creek Indian who prior to the war attended the Tullahassee Manual Labor School in the Creek Nation (Indian Territory). Journal containing diary entries, Oct. 7, 1863-Apr. 17, 1865, copies of letters received in 1862 from missionaries W.S. Robertson and his wife A.E.W. Robertson, lists of letters received and written, 1862-1864, and poems. Diary entries are both daily and summarized accounts of Wiles' service with Company D, briefly in Missouri, but mainly at various Arkansas locations including Batesville, Jacksonport, De Vals Bluff, Fort Smith, Fort Gibson, at the Neosho River, and Little Rock. Wiles notes his company's movements (including escorting Confederate Maj. Gen. Herron to Fort Smith), picket and scout duty, and other military routine. He describes shortages of provisions for soldiers and their mounts, particularly at Fort Smith and Fort Gibson. He mentions Negroes following the marching troops, harassment by bushwhackers and the large number of Cherokee bushwhackers, encounters with Confederate forces (including those commanded by Gen. Shelby), and President Lincoln's death. Wiles' transcribed 1862 letters from the Robertsons inform him of their intent to send him gospels and hymns in the Creek language, and of the status of dispersed of mission school staff and students. Poems, probably composed by Wiles, include one to a Luvanna Hills.

Dates

  • Creation: 1862-1865

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Union soldier who served as corporal in Company D of the 11th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, 1863-1865. It is likely that Wiles was a Creek Indian who prior to the war attended the Tullahassee Manual Labor School in the Creek Nation (Indian Territory). His missionary teachers, with whom he corresponded in 1862, were William Schenck Robertson and Ann Eliza Worcester Robertson. During 1862 Wiles was accused of "being a Southern sympathizer" and was held in "military confinement" at Alton, Illinois. Released on "parole of honor during the war in the limits of the Missouri lines," Wiles then apparently joined the 11th Missouri Cavalry.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Stacks Location

1 36 4

Ownership and Custodial History

Forms part of the Midwest Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library).

General Note

Includes typed transcript of the journal.

Status
Catalog Record Only
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512