Ezra Decker Letter
This collection houses a letter written by Ohio artilleryman Ezra Decker to Job Sweet. Decker was sick when he wrote the letter, which contains rumors about the war coming to an end and speculation as to Confederate troop movements after the impending fall of Richmond. Decker believes that Robert E. Lee and the remainder of the Confederate Army will raid Knoxville, Tennessee, where his unit was stationed at the time.
Dates
- 1865 March 17
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 letter written by Ohio artilleryman Ezra Decker to Job Sweet. Decker was sick when he wrote the letter, which contains rumors about the war coming to an end and speculation as to Confederate troop movements after the impending fall of Richmond.
Biographical/Historical Note
Ezra Decker was born in New York in September of 1823. He married Johanna (last name unknown) in about 1843, and the couple had three children: Marcus, Esther, and Clark. When the Civil War broke out, Decker enlisted in Company B of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery Regiment as a Private. He served until May 30, 1865 when he mustered out with the rest of the unit in Cleveland. Decker and his wife later moved to Gratiot County, Michigan. He most likely died there in or about 1904, as his pension was paid to his widow after that year.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
The University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections purchased this letter.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository