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Alonzo Frink Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2212

  • Staff Only

The Alonzo Frink Letters, 1863-1864, were written by Frink, a Union soldier with the 32nd Iowa in the Civil War, to his wife Emily in Mason City, Iowa. In these twenty letters, Frink describes camp life in detail, passing on tales of army successes and noting the arrival and stories of Confederate deserters and former slaves. Much of the rumors passed on by Frink concern Grant's actions in Vicksburg. He also reports on the celebration in camp following the receipt of the official dispatch of the surrender of Vicksburg.

Nine of the twenty letters, dated in early 1863, were written from Fort Pillow in Lauderdale County, Tenn. Another five letters were written from Columbus, Ky., during the latter months of 1863.

Dates

  • 1863-1864

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

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 were written from Fort Pillow in Lauderdale County, Tenn., while those from the second half of the year were from Columbus, Ky.

Biographical/Historical Note

Born in New York, Alonzo Frink lived with his wife Emily in Mason City, Iowa. On August 21, 1862, Alonzo Frink enlisted in the 32nd Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B as a 4th Corporal. After serving briefly in New Madrid, Mo., Frink's company was relocated to Fort Pillow, Tenn., in late December 1862. After serving six months at Fort Pillow, Frink was reassigned to Columbus, Ky., in June 1863. From January through March of 1864, Company B was relocated to Vicksburg, Miss. Company B then participated in the Red River campaign as a part of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Army Corps, under the command of General A. J. Smith. Frink was wounded and captured at Pleasant Hill, La., on April 9, 1864. On July 15, 1865, he was mustered out of military service in Montgomery, Ala.

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

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480