SCOUT

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.

Abstract

This collection contains six letters of personal correspondence between Elijah Hawn and his wife Nancy dated from May 26, 1862 through June 16, 1863. Also included are form no. 79 from the U.S. Treasury Department (which allows for Nancy to be granted a widow’s pension), a letter from the Department of the Interior rejecting her widow’s pension on the grounds that she remarried, and a division of land agreement.

Abstract

In this diary, Henry Warren describes his service with the 20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (CSA) in Tennessee and Kentucky. A document signed by Governor Isham G. Harris inside the diary nominates Warren as a Drill Master and orders him to report for duty. Both of these items have been transcribed onto a CD housed with the collection.

Abstract

J. P. Hollowell wrote this letter to his sister, Sallie Hollowell, from camp in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In it, he mentions that his unit has been looking for a fight, but their location is too well fortified. Hollowell also apologizes for not being home for Christmas and says that he wants a new pair of pants.

Abstract This collection consists of two letters from Union soldier Jacob Rowland to his sister, Olive. The first letter, dated January 26, 1865, is sent from Knoxville, Tenn., where Rowland reports of "...quiet times here in Knoxville just now occasionally review as inspection we moved our camp last Tuesday. We were on the south side of the river about 1 1/2 miles from the city. Now we are quartered inside of the breast works right in the suburbs..." The second letter, dated February 20, 1865, is...

Abstract

The diary housed in this collection documents John M. Hollis's Civil War service, including his enlistment and training and his unit's marches through Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. Of particular interest are the descriptions of fierce battles at Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Perryville, Kentucky.

Abstract

This collection consists primarily of letters that John Watkins, then serving with the 19th Ohio Light Artillery, wrote to his fiancee, Sarah Probert, and other family members. In them, he discusses his experiences in the Civil War, including his unit's participation in the East Tennessee Campaign and the Battle of Fort Sanders. Also included are family diaries, photographs, and account books.

Abstract

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.

Abstract

William J. Crook wrote this letter to his cousin from the field in Kentucky on October 7, 1862. He discusses his regiment's campaign in Kentucky, including the recent Confederate victory in the Battle of Richmond. He also proclaims his belief in the Southern cause, praises Southern womanhood, and discusses religion and family life.

Abstract This collection contains a letter dated November 14, 1861, by Lieutenant William R. Lacy of the 6th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) to his cousin, Amarila Lemons. Written from Columbus, Ky., he describes the rules and conditions placed on a soldier in the areas of Belmont, Missouri and Columbus. The letter includes an explanation of the treatment of prisoners. Lacy speaks of the wounded and the Union dead. He adds that a cousin, Thomas Lacy, resigned and became a Captain of a company at Union...