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Charles Christensen Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2762

  • Staff Only

This collection contains a February 21, 1862, letter from Civil War soldier Charles Christensen, camped at Cairo, Illinois, to Richard Morris of Cedar Lake Wisconsin. Christensen, a member of the 8th Wisconsin, discusses his regiment, Union victories at Forts Donelson and Henry, Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman, possible rebel attacks at Cairo, the overpopulation of prisoners of war, as well as personal family matters.

Dates

  • 1862 February 21

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection contains a February 21, 1862, letter from Civil War soldier Charles Christensen, camped at Cairo, Illinois, to Richard Morris of Cedar Lake Wisconsin. Christensen, a member of the 8th Wisconsin, discusses his regiment, Union victories at Forts Donelson and Henry, Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman, possible rebel attacks at Cairo, the overpopulation of prisoners of war, as well as personal family matters.

Biographical/Historical Note

Charles Christensen was a volunteer in the 8th Wisconsin Regiment. The 8th Wisconsin particpated in several important battles including Corinth, Vicksburg, Mechanicsville, Jackson, and Nashville. First Lieutenant Charles Christensen was discharged on May 20, 1865.

Fort Henry was the first major Union victory in the western theater. With the fall of Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, Union forces gained a new point of entry for invasion of the South. The demise of Fort Henry opened the Tennessee River to Union gunboats.

Fort Donelson fell less than two weeks after Fort Henry. It too, created a new entry point for Union invasion and opened the Cumberland River to Union gunboats.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single letter.

Acquisition Note

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in March 2006.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480