Abstract

Primarily correspondence (129 letters) of Illinois farmer and Civil War soldier Carlos W. Colby, written between 1862 and 1865, to his sisters, brother, brother-in-law, and niece, plus a dozen Civil War letters written by Colby’s future brother-in-law James Rowe. Also includes Colby’s reminiscences of his boyhood and his service in the 97th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, some family correspondence, genealogical material and a few photos.

Abstract

Letters home, 1862-1863, by Charles W. Gallentine of the 7th Illinois Cavalry, from Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill., Jacinto and Corinth, Miss., Memphis and LaGrange, Tenn., and Lawrence Co., Ala., regarding camp life, skirmishes, men killed and wounded, Southern guerillas, northern Copperheads and the draft, Southern plantations and slave attitudes, Union and Confederate prisoners, etc.

Abstract Six personal diaries and one diary fragment kept by Elvira Cecelia Sheridan Badger of Kentucky and Illinois, spanning the years 1859 through 1903. Also popular antebellum piano music compiled and bound for Badger before her marriage. Facsimile of notebook kept by Alpheus Shreve Badger about his move to Chicago and the subsequent freedom of his slaves in 1852. Diary entries concern the daily lives of a well-to-do family, including their 1861 move to Chicago, Illinois. Sentiment in Kentucky...

Abstract

Six letters, Sept. 14-Oct. 15, 1862, from Camp Peoria in Peoria, Ill., from Henry Rice of the 103rd Illinois Infantry to family in Lewistown, Ill., describing military life in the camp. Included with the letters is an envelope addressed to "Mrs. Amory Rice, Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois," illustrated in red and blue with the seal and motto of the United States

Abstract

First Lieutenant in the 11th Illinois Cavalry, Company G, who later served as major and aide-de-camp to General James Birdseye McPherson. Includes letters home to family from Brimfield, Peoria County, Illinois, from Camp Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Tennessee, and Louisiana, 1862-1864.

Abstract

Letters from Theodore Watson to his brother John in Hillsboro, Illinois, during the early months of the Civil War. Correspondence describes his life as a three-month enlistee in the Illinois 3rd Company (later the Illinois 9th Regiment) stationed at Camp Defiance to defend Cairo, Illinois.

Abstract

Union soldier who served in Company F, Illinois 84th Volunteer Infantry. Seven letters, dated between Oct. 7, 1862 and Dec. 26, 1863, from Foster to his uncle and possibly his father ("Dear Sir"), describing military life as Foster moves from Louisville, Kentucky to Camp Silver Springs, Tenn., to the hospital in Quincy, Ill., and back to Whiteside Station, Tenn., 20 miles outside of Chattanooga.

Abstract

Civil War letters of Z. Payson Shumway, a lawyer from Taylorville, Illinois, to his cousin Sallie Shumway and friend David Truax Moore written between 1861 and 1864.