Alonzo Frink Letters
In twenty letters between 1863 and 1864, Alonzo Frink, a Union soldier with the 32nd Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B, describes camp life and news of military successes in the Civil War to his wife Emily in Mason City, Iowa. The letters from early 1863 are written from Fort Pillow in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, while the later letters are written from Columbus, Kentucky.
Frink describes camp life in detail, passing on tales of army successes and noting the arrival and stories of Confederate deserters and former enslaved peoples. Much of the rumors passed on by Frink concern Grant's actions in Vicksburg. Frink also reports on the celebration in camp following the receipt of the official dispatch of the surrender of Vicksburg.
Dates
- 1863 February 8-1864 May 19
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
In twenty letters between 1863 and 1864, Alonzo Frink, a Union soldier with the 32nd Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B, describes camp life and news of military successes in the Civil War to his wife Emily in Mason City, Iowa. The letters from early 1863 are written from Fort Pillow in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, while the later letters are written from Columbus, Kentucky.
Biographical/Historical Note
Born in New York, Alonzo Frink lived with his wife Emily in Mason City, Iowa. On August 21, 1862, Frink enlisted in the 32nd Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B as a 4th Corporal. After serving briefly in New Madrid, Missouri, Frink's company was relocated to Fort Pillow in late December 1862. After serving six months at Fort Pillow, Frink was reassigned to Columbus, Kentucky, in June 1863. Frink was wounded and captured at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, on April 9, 1864. On July 15, 1865, he was mustered out of military service in Montgomery, Alabama.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Collection was purchased by Special Collections in March 2004.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository