SCOUT

This collection houses a letter that John Cleland wrote to his sister, Mary J. Jennie Cleland, in Defiance County, Ohio from Knoxville, Tennessee on December 14, 1863. In it, he discusses his regiment's participation in the Battle of Knoxville, including the losses they suffered.

This collection consists of one original letter and one reprinted letter written by John W. Fox that discuss his life in the army and his religious faith.

While encamped in the Cumberland Ford area of Knox County, Tenn., John W. Hammer serving in the 16th Ohio Infantry Company K writes to a friend named Annie. In this letter dated June 4, 1862, he describes the fortifications that are in place to protect them from the Confederates. His company moves toward the Confederate camps and skirmishes occur.

This collection contains two letters written on one sheet of paper. The first, from Martha Stewart to her husband Joseph (dated November 30, 1864) details the daily happenings in Franklin Square, Ohio. The second, from hospitalized Joseph in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to his wife and children (dated December 24-25, 1864) discusses the Battle of Nashville.

The Boyd Letters, 1862-1864, contains six letters written by Joseph E. Boyd of the 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Specifically, this correspondence describes Union military camp conditions, the environment of Tennessee, Union soldiers' viewpoints regarding the war and Confederates, battles and military operations in Middle and East Tennessee, and the family concerns of Union soldiers.

This collection contains the diary and daybook of Julius E. Thomas, 2nd Sergeant and Chief Bugler of Company F, 1st Tennessee Cavalry (Union). Entries range from August 5, 1864 through April 5, 1865. Thomas writes about the movement of his company throughout Tennessee. Part of the book contains notations of supplies used for construction.

A single handwritten letter by Confederate soldier M. D. Wilson stationed at Cumberland Gap, TN on August 4, 1863.

M. H. Owen wrote this letter to his sister from Fort Pillow on March 22, 1862. In it, he describes his trip from Columbus, Kentucky to Fort Pillow and mentions the other regiments stationed there with him.

A four-page handwritten letter, signed "MR" by Lieutenant Marcus Richardson, sent to Captain Joseph Washington Anderson. Written from Cumberland Gap, Tenn., the letter details the reconnaissance and skirmish that took place at Cumberland Gap in the days prior under the command of Major General Edmund Kirby Smith. The letter is dated March 23, 1862.

Moses Owen of the 7th Ohio Infantry, Company F, wrote this letter to his mother on February 18, 1862, just after the Battle of Fort Donelson.

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.