Wilbur P. Buck Letters
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
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Conditions Governing Use
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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.
- Memphis (Tenn.) -- History.
- Soldiers -- Illinois -- Correspondence.
- Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care.
- United States. Army. Illinois Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1866).
- United States. Army. Illinois Infantry Regiment, 95th (1862-1865).
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository