Levi Dysinger Correspondence
This collection consists of correspondence from Levi Dysinger, a Union soldier, to his wife Harriet in Paulding County, Ohio. The letters were written from Huntsville, Alabama, and date from March to May of 1865. They recount how Dysinger's brothers, Henry and Isaac, contracted (and eventually died from) measles while soldiers. Dysinger also describes a trip he made to Aikens Landing, Virginia, where Civil War prisoners were exchanged. In addition, he mentions Grant's taking Richmond and Petersburg, which most likely refers to the fall of Petersburg during the Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865). This defeat led to the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, the Capitol of the Confederacy, by order of General Lee. Finally, the letters encourage his wife to find strength in her faith while he is away, as he does.
Dates
- 1865 March-May
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 consists of correspondence from Levi Dysinger, a Union soldier, to his wife Harriet in Paulding County, Ohio. The letters are written from Huntsville, Alabama and date from March to May of 1865. They recount how Private Dysinger's brothers, Henry and Isaac, contracted (and eventually died from) measles while soldiers.
Biographical/Historical Note
Levi Dysinger was born to Jacob and Christina (Long) Dysinger on June 29, 1830 in New York. He married Harriet Platter in 1859; their only son, Clinton O. Dysinger, was born in 1867. Dysinger enlisted in Company A of the 189th Ohio Infantry as a Private on March 3, 1865. This unit was organized at Camp Chase, Ohio and served primarily in Tennessee. Dysinger mustered out in Nashville on September 28, 1865 and returned to his wife and son in Ohio. He died on February 25, 1907.
Dysinger's brothers Isaac and Henry served in the same regiment. This correspondence details their illness and death from measles. Forty-five men in their regiment were lost during service to disease.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Collection was donated to Special Collections by Michael Charlton Herndon.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository