Wildermuth Family Letters
This collection houses 22 letters written between various members of the Wildermuth family during the Civil War, particularly brothers John, Henry, and Eli.
John speaks mostly of the battles on the Western front, discussing the siege of Vicksburg in 1862 and describing the city of Memphis, where he was hospitalized in 1863. Henry speaks primarily of the Eastern front, including the siege of Savannah in 1864. Eli writes of the devastation in Alabama and how his only desire is to return home after witnessing the atrocities of war and the conditions in Camp Randall, where he was stationed in 1865. Throughout the letters, all three siblings frequently recall things they love and miss about Wisconsin and their family. One letter includes a lock of hair and another letter includes drawings by the author.
Two of the later letters in the collection were written by officers William H. Bennett and James H. Cliffon informing the Wildermuth parents of the deaths of John and Henry, respectively.
Several letters in the collection have an accompanying typed transcript.
Dates
- 1862 September 17-1865 May 20
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 (6 folders)
Abstract
This collection houses 22 letters written between various members of the Wildermuth family during the Civil War. Brothers John, Henry, and Eli Wildermuth wrote much of this correspondence while serving in the Union Army and discuss such topics as life in the South, the battles they have experienced, their living conditions, and their desire to return home to Wisconsin.
Biographical/Historical Note
Brothers Eli, Henry, and John Wildermuth were sons of David Clinton (1806-1889) and Ann Newkirk Wildermuth (1814-1907).
Eli M. Wildermuth was born on November 22, 1836. Eli fought with the Union during the Civil War, but his regiment is unknown and the details of his duties are uncertain. After the war, he became deeply involved with the Reformed Church of Latter-Day Saints. Eli married three times: to Angeline Ryma, to Cynthia Shumway (m. 1889), and to Jane Cooper (m. 1893). He died September 14, 1925, in Plano, Illinois.
Henry C. Wildermuth was born on April 16, 1842. During the Civil War, he served with Company G of the 16th Wisconsin Infantry. Henry died of disease during the war near Beaufort, South Carolina in January 1865.
John William Wildermuth was born on July 13, 1844. During the Civil War, John fought with the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, which left Wisconsin on September 14, 1862, and fought throughout the South for the duration of the war. John fell ill in 1863 and was hospitalized for some time in Memphis, Tennessee. After spending much of the winter in the hospital, John determined he was well enough to fight and rejoined his regiment in battle. He died shortly after in Decatur, Alabama from a relapse of his illness in May 1864.
Other siblings included Francis O. (1832-1850); Clarissa Ann (later Berry) (1839-1920); Edwin C. (1834-1925); Cordelia (later Stout) (1848-1926); Louisa O. (later Carpenter) (1851-1895); and Daniel Raymond (1854-1920).
Arrangement
This collection consists of six folders.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository