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Wilbur P. Buck Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3271

  • Staff Only

Wilbur P. Buck wrote these three letters, dated between October 9, 1862 and June 23, 1863, to his sweetheart, Charlotte Lottie Smith. The first letter was sent from Camp Fuller and the others were written at the Officer's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. They discuss Buck and Smith's relationship, Buck's homesickness, and the wounded and dead soldiers that Buck sees in the field hospital where he works.

Dates

  • 1862 October 9-1863 June 23

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

Wilbur P. Buck wrote these three letters, dated between October 9, 1862 and June 23, 1863, to his sweetheart, Charlotte Lottie Smith. The first letter was sent from Camp Fuller and the others were written at the Officer's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. They discuss Buck and Smith's relationship, Buck's homesickness, and the wounded and dead soldiers that Buck sees in the field hospital where he works.

Biographical/Historical Note

Wilbur Parsons Buck was born on August 8, 1837 to Lemuel and Maria (Parsons) Buck in New York. He enlisted in the Union Army on August 6, 1862 and mustered into the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment as a Private on September 4, 1862. He was eventually promoted to Hospital Steward and served with this unit until being assigned to Company S of the 8th Illinois Infantry as an Assistant Surgeon. He also served with Company S of the 17th Illinois Infantry in the same capacity. Buck mustered out with the 8th Infantry on May 4, 1866 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

After his discharge, Buck returned to Illinois. He pursued his medical education formally and graduated from Chicago Medical College in 1870. He also married Camilla Anna Washington, and the couple had three known children. Wilbur Buck died on September 14, 1893 in Moweaqua Township, Illinois.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

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

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