Civil War Letter
This collection houses one letter from a Union soldier named Josh stationed in Memphis, Tennessee to his sister Beulah written on May 10, 1863. He is distressed about his orders to leave Memphis and head towards Vicksburg, Mississippi. He writes that he is quite comfortable in the home of a Secesh woman inside the city of Memphis, but is glad to escape the city because of the increasing spread of the disease smallpox. Josh mentions his unknowing exposure to the disease through one of his friends, but says he has no symptoms as of yet. His regiment was told to leave all tents behind for the wounded and ill, and Josh writes that he dreads sleeping on the ground.
Dates
- 1863 May 10
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
In this letter to his sister Beulah, Union army soldier Josh reports that his orders are to head to Mississippi on 1863 May 10. He is unhappy at the prospect of leaving his current lodgings at a Secesh woman's home, but glad to escape the rampant spread of smallpox through Memphis, Tennessee.
Biographical/Historical Note
Josh likely served with an Ohio regiment during the Civil War, as several of the relatives he mentions in this letter hail from that state.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder
Acquisition Note
This collection was purchased on 2006 June 8.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository