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John W. Cleland Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3270

  • Staff Only

This collection houses a letter that John Cleland wrote to his sister, Mary J. Jennie Cleland, in Defiance County, Ohio from Knoxville, Tennessee on December 14, 1863. In it, he discusses his regiment's participation in the Battle of Knoxville, including the losses they suffered.

Dates

  • 1863 December 14

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection houses a letter that John Cleland wrote to his sister, Mary J. Jennie Cleland, in Defiance County, Ohio from Knoxville, Tennessee on December 14, 1863. In it, he discusses his regiment's participation in the Battle of Knoxville, including the losses they suffered.

Biographical/Historical Note

John W. Cleland was born to Arthur and Mary Cleland on June 8, 1843 in Ohio. He was one of four children: James (born about 1836), Mary J. (born about 1841), William (born about 1848), and Margaret (born about 1852). John Cleland enlisted in Company F of the 111th Ohio Infantry on September 5, 1862. He was promoted several times: to First Sergeant on March 5, 1863, to Second Lieutenant on April 12, 1864, and to First Lieutenant on May 2, 1865. His unit served in Kentucky, in East Tennessee (including the Battle of Knoxville), and in the Atlanta campaign. Cleland mustered out on June 27, 1865 in Salisbury, North Carolina. He returned to Ohio and married Celinda J. Hughes on May 16, 1867. Two of the couple's children survived infancy: Minnie A. and Arthur B. The family moved to Nevada, Missouri and then to Decatur, Illinois, where John Cleland died suddenly of a heart attack on April 29, 1912.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

The University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections purchased this collection.

Related Archival Materials

Interested researchers may wish to see MS.3834, John W. Cleland Letters, 1864 February-March.

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