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Joseph Oliver Freeman Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0806

  • Staff Only

This collection includes a number of letters written from and of Joseph Oliver Freeman to his wife Indiana during his service in the Confederate army from 1862-1864. Also included are two letters from H. Parson to his sister on December 22, 1861 and September 25, 1863. Typed transcriptions are included along with the letters.

Dates

  • 1861 December 22-1864 June 12, undated

Language

The material in this collection is in English.

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 includes a number of letters written from and of Joseph Oliver Freeman to his family during his service in the Confederate army from 1862-1864. Typed transcriptions are included along with the letters.

Biographical/Historical Note

Joseph Oliver Freeman was born March 25, 1839, and was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, at the age of twenty three. He left behind his wife, Indiana and a son, his other two children having died as infants.

The Battle of Chickamauga, which occurred September 17-20, 1863, was the largest battle fought in Georgia during the Civil War. Union general William S. Rosecrans devised a campaign aiming to force the Confederate troops out of Chattanooga. In early September, Rosecrans consolidated his forces in Tennessee and Georgia and forced Confederate general Braxton Bragg’s army out of Chattanooga and into Georgia. Bragg was determined to reoccupy Chattanooga and decided to engage part of Rosecrans’ army near Chickamauga Creek, and retake the city. On the September 17, he headed north, and fighting broke out at the crossing points of Chickamauga Creek. The next day Bragg continued north where the two opposing cavalry forces met. Fighting continued on the morning of the 19th, but Bragg’s failed to break the Union line. Early the next day, Bragg repelled a Union assault and managed to drive one-third of the Union army, including Rosecrans himself, from the field. The Union army returned to Chattanooga while the Confederate forces occupied the surrounding heights.

Acquisition Note

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in 1975.

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