SCOUT

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.

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 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.

This letter, written by Thomas M. Walker, discusses his time in the Civil War. At the time this letter was written, Walker was stationed with the Ohio 15th Infantry in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This collection consists of a letter written by Union Soldier Thomas Wasson to his sister Mariette Hutchins of Berlin, Michigan. The letter is dated August 30, 1864 and was written from Wasson's camp in Franklin, Tennessee.

Uriah Fleshman of the 118th Ohio Infantry wrote this letter at Camp Soudon, Tennessee on October 25, 1863 just before the Battle of Resaca. He discusses recent skirmishes between his regiment and the nearby Confederate troops as well as the imminent battle.

This collection consists of two letters written by Uriah Scott. He wrote one to his niece from Fort Pillow, Tennessee on February 27, 1863 and one to his mother from Union City, Tennessee on November 20, 1863. In these letters, Scott describes serving picket guard, mentions fighting in a small battle, and discusses family life. A short note on the back of the letter to his niece addressed to J. J. Weller discusses a business matter involving a black laborer.

In this March 27, 1864 letter to his sister, Urias Fleshman discusses his life in the military and conveys information gathered from other people's letters.

This collection consists of a letter, dated February 24, 1863 from Camp Cripplecrick, Tenn., from W. M. Creamer of the 90th Ohio Infantry to his cousin, M. C. Creamer. The author discusses his religious beliefs as well as Captain Robert O. Caddy's treatment of sick young boys in Nashville.

This collection houses two letters that Union soldier Watson B. Smith wrote to his mother, Mary Amanda (Birchard) Smith, on September 23, 1863 and October 1, 1863. In them, Smith discusses Union operations in the Knoxville Campaign, life in headquarters, and news from the Battle of Chattanooga.

This collection houses five letters written by Watson B. Smith in the field in Tennessee in November and December 1863 to his father and a general order congratulating another commander. The letters discuss his promotions and battles against the Confederates near Knoxville and offer his regards to his family.