Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of three letters written from Newburn, Tennessee, between December 4, 1917 and March 28, 1918 by Edgar Johnson of Company E of the 306th Ammunition Train (81st Division). The letters are addressed to Johnson's wife, Etta, and daughter, Lila, and discuss camp life, life at home, and the possibility of returning home for a visit.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This collection consists of five letters written by Charles Steele, a soldier in Company D of the 53rd Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, between April 1, 1862 and August 10, 1863 in Savannah (Tennessee), Memphis (Tennessee), and Vicksburg (Mississippi) to his mother and sister. In them, Steele describes camp life, relates war news, and inquires about his family and home. In the letter dated August 8, 1863, Steele writes of the defeat of Lee and the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of a report written by Chaplain Ira Fayette Pettibone, then serving with the 74th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers, in Chattanooga on November 1, 1864. Addressing an unnamed General, Pettibone writes of his Unit's activities during October 1864. He describes a train accident (caused by a flood) that killed a surgeon, a private, and injured several others. He also mentions troop movements at the Chickamauga Battlefield and at Lookout Mountain.

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This collection consists of a letter and a poem written by John Edward Thompson of the 20th Illinois Infantry. The letter, written on March 17, 1862 to a friend while Thompson was stationed in Savannah, Tennessee, discusses Thompson's thoughts on surviving the war and on arriving in Savannah. The poem, entitled Good Night: Who Wouldn't be a Soldier and written before the Battle of Shiloh, was published in the Advocate in 1887.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This collection consists of a letter written by Ella Crenshaw of Marion, Tennessee, to her grandmother, Evalina A. Crenshaw, in Hartsville, Tennessee, on August 3, 1862. In the letter, Ella discusses the conditions of the soldier's hospital on Lookout Mountain, where her father is a surgeon. She also mentions a cousin named Porterfield who was killed by lightning about six weeks ago in his tent near Richmond. The letter also has a note from Ella's father, Edmore, who writes that Uncle...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: This collection consists of a letter from Captain Joseph A. Anthony of the 7th Tennessee Infantry to his mother written on June 6, 1861, from camp Trousdale, Tennessee. In the letter, Anthony describes camp life and complains about his subordinates, saying. "My lieutenants know nothing of their duties and consequently I have had everything to do." He also praises his men, stating, "We have encamped here about seven thousand men, stout able bodied fellows who are anxious for a fight and will...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection consists of a letter from Private Thomas Griffin, then serving with Company I of the 8th Indiana Cavalry, written from Camp Shiloh to his wife on April 23, 1862. In it, Griffin writes that his captain has a bet that "we will be home in three. I almost hope he will win that bet." He also writes that he is shipping home three Union Army overcoats and two Secesh Bowie knives captured from the Shiloh battlefield, one of which has the name J. J. Fowler marked into the handle.

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In this letter to his mother (written near Knoxville, Tennessee), Allen Clifton reports on his unit's position and supplies, describes the weather, mentions that he is in good health, inquires about the health and doings of family members and friends, and asks for some postage stamps. He also asks about the returned veterans and solicits his mother's opinion of his decision not to re-enlist.

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection: In this letter to his sister, Asa M. Weston discusses being close to Knoxville and President Lincoln's call for more draftees. He also speaks of how honored he feels to fight in the war, saying, "What a privilege to fight in such a blessed cause...The prospect for ending the war is glorious.." He also mentions religion, telling his sister that "I have been a firm believer in truth of divine revelation & of the religion of Jesus Christ." Interested researchers may also wish to...

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In this letter to Master Sergeant Curtis Judd, Sergeant John P. Lathrop discusses how much he dislikes war. He talks about how he would rather be a Chief Operator than out in the field fighting. He tells Judd that t"he smell of Gun Powder is Offensive to me ... Never did like the whistle of a bullet of the scream of a shell, yet I endure it."

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In this letter to his wife (Elizabeth), son (Caleb), and daughter (Marietta Hester), Christopher Grigg describes his regiment's location, reports on his health, mentions the food available to his unit, and tells of meeting one of his mother's friends from primary school. He also inquires about life at home and warns his son to be careful when reading his books.

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In this letter to his sister, Orlando Geer discusses family matters and veterans' pay in addition to asking for some new tobacco.

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In this letter to his sister Rebecca (postmarked Clarksville, Tenn.) George Tarres discusses the fighting and marching that his unit has done. He says that "we left Bowling Green but there is not many the first one is Russelvillie in ky and the allenville and the Clarksville Tenn and the down the river... last Friday we was called out into battle."

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In this letter to his sister, Orlando Geer discusses how much he and his fellow soldiers dislike Brigadier General Jim B. Steedman. According to Geer, Steedman is "Like a bad cent returned to us again, this time in the capacity of Brigade Commander while when he left us he was Colonel."

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In this letter to his father, Dyer Seely, Frederick Seely writes of his health and of the condition of his unit. According to Seely, ... "I didn't care about being drafted first I am in hopes that when my times is out that I can stay to home this thing should for settled by that time." He also writes of his hope for a furlough and assures his father that he will keep good courage. The letter was mailed from Nashville, Tennessee.

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In this letter to his sister Hattie (postmarked Trinne, Tennessee), Orlando Geer describes combat that his unit has seen recently and tells of frustrations caused by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. According to Geer, ... "the Rebel Gen. Forrest has been very troublesome driving in our calvary picketts and now and then coming right up under our nose and picking up horses and picketts."