SCOUT

This letter to Verness Williams documents recent activities of Myron Comstock's unit (11th Michigan Infantry Regiment) and speaks of his recent illness and homesickness.

Orlando C. Geer wrote this letter to his sister Hattie from Lavergne, Tennessee on March 15, 1863. In it, he discusses his responsibilities, his feelings about provisioning, the weather, and his health. He also thanks her for her previous letters.

In this letter to his sister, Orlando Geer expresses his opinions about news from home and describes the condition of their mutual acquaintances in the army.

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

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."

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."

Orlando C. Geer wrote this letter to his sister Hattie from camp on the Elk River in Tennessee on July 15, 1863. In it, he discusses his unit's activities from June 24 to July 15, 1863, including their participation in a battle and camp life.

Robert A. Kerr wrote this letter to a friend from Nashville, Tennessee on December 5, 1862. In it, he discusses his regiment's living conditions and describes some fighting in the area.

This collection houses eight letters from Robert A. Ragan to his wife, Emeline (Neass) Ragan, during the Civil War. In them, Ragan discusses battles and skirmishes with the Rebels, describes the landscapes he has seen, relates his frustration with army life, mentions his fear of moving too far South, and comments on his unit's movements and actions. He also expresses his concern for his family and friends in Tennessee and asks Emeline to write to him and to pray for him in the struggle.

Robert Kepner wrote this letter to his sisters, Ellen and Mary, while he was stationed at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, during the Civil War. In it, he complains of being ill, thanks them for the books they sent, and informs them that he can buy books for 25 cents or just take them from the "Rebel camps" for free.

This letter is written by Rosecrans to a doctor at Medical Department Gen. Orders No. 2 on July 15th, 1863. It discusses military politics, the occupation of Knoxville by Bragg, and well wishes.

This collection consists of 25 letters relating to Roswell and Nannie Kingsley, their family members, and some of their friends written from 1850-1885. The correspondence provides insights into East Tennessee during the Civil War as well as a look at ex-Confederate home life.

This collection houses letters of recommendation for Samuel Boyd, correspondence to and from Samuel Boyd (including two letters he wrote while being held prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio during the Civil War), genealogical notes, invitations, newspaper clippings, and resolutions on the deaths of Samuel and Isabella (Reed) Boyd.

This collection consists of a letter from Samuel K. Carrigan, sent on May 25, 1862 from Camp Mag Hill near Chattanooga, to his brother William A. Carrigan in Society Hill, South Carolina. He discusses his discontent with his fellow solider's irreligiousness and his desire to transfer into another unit, as well as the fighting in which he was involved.

This collection includes letters and a notebook of Samuel P. Johnson's, many of which detail his experiences during the Civil War.

A letter was written by Sgt. William A. Smith, Co. B 71 Ind. 6th Cav., on October 5, 1863. He talks about Union occupation north of Knoxville, TN and the increased price of goods and foods in the Confederate states as oppsosed to the Union. He also writes about a brigade of women marching and carrying the U.S. flag. The letter was submitted to Mr. J. O. Jones, postmaster of Terre Haute, Indiana, in hopes that he could get it published in the local newspaper.

Personal correspondence between Union soldier Alexander B. Richards and his sister, Emaline Butcher of Murphysboro, Illinois, dated February 14, 1864. He details the Battle of Knoxville and Fort Sanders (Tenn.) which took place on November 29, 1863 and his trek from Chattanooga with H Co. Illinois 27th Infantry.

In this letter to his wife Nancy, Stephen Ward describes encountering Confederate cavalry on a recent scouting mission, the inclement winter weather, and foraging for food and supplies. He also complains that his recent exertions have left him "as sore as an old Government mule" and mentions that a wealthy Union sympathizer had been hung after two of his Confederate neighbors betrayed him shortly before Ward's unit arrived in the area.

This collection consists of one handwritten letter, written in 1864 in Knoxville, Tennessee, by T. K. Gay of the Signal Corps to his brother Cal in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It reports that Knoxville is currently tranquil but expresses concern that John Morgan is preparing to attack. Gay hypothesizes that if Morgan were to attack he would meet strong resistance, as more troops were expected for the defense of the city. Gay also opines that the war will end soon.

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.