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Amos Guthrie Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3171

  • Staff Only

These letters, composed in April 1864 in Knoxville, Tennessee, are written by Amos Guthrie (then serving with the U.S. Signal Corps) to his father and sister in Ohio. They discuss life in Knoxville as well as troop movements in the area. Guthrie describes life in the camp as being quiet at that time. He characterizes the spring water in Knoxville as being the best he has had and finds the weather equally suitable. Union pomp and circumstance brought Carter Nelson and Andy Johnston to speak in Knoxville and raise a 70 foot flag pole destroyed by the Confederate Army in 1861. The only conflict noted was a guerrilla attack on April 20, 1864. A search party was formed, but the Confederate soldiers responsible were not captured. Guthrie discusses his orders to move to the front, but also illustrates the lack of preparation in his unit. He informs his family of General George Stoneman's (USA) plans to make a raid through North Carolina and Virginia to destroy railroads. Guthrie notes the movements of General James Longstreet (CSA), mentioning his abandonment of East Tennessee and his joining with General Robert E. Lee (CSA). Guthrie says that the 2nd Division of the 23rd Corps is moving to form the left wing of the Army marching on Ringgold, Georgia. Guthrie writes all letters from Knoxville, Tennessee, although his unit had standing orders to move to Cleveland (Tennessee) and Chattanooga.

Dates

  • 1864 April 9-29

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 (5 folders)

Abstract

These five letters, composed in April 1864 in Knoxville, Tennessee, are written by Amos Guthrie (then serving with the U. S. Signal Corps) to his father and sister in Ohio. They discuss life in Knoxville as well as troop movements in the area.

Biographical/Historical Note

Amos Guthrie was born to Samuel and Catherine Guthrie in New Rumley Township, Ohio in about 1844. He had two known siblings: Sarah (born about 1848) and Mary (born about 1861). He enlisted in the United States Signal Corps on December 22, 1863 and served in the Southeastern United States during the Civil War. Guthrie died in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 4, 1864.

Acquisition Note

This collection is property of University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections.

Related Archival Materials

Interested researchers may wish to consult:

Missing Title

  1. MS.2942: Amos Guthrie Letter, 1864 March 19
  2. MS.2945: Amos Guthrie Letter, 1864 March 30
  3. MS.2946: Amos Guthrie Letter, 1864 July 14

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