Two-page letter from J. W. Maybin of Vicksburg, Mississippi, to John S. Brien. The letter requests legal advice from John S. Brien, "one of the first legal minds in the United States," regarding his legal options after having seen much of his...
Letter from Jane Smith Washington of Springfield, Tennessee, to her son, William L. Washington in Toronto, Canada, describing a confrontation with Federal troops. Mrs. Washington describes an extremely violent confrontation with Federal troops. In...
Correspondence; Cities & towns; Campaigns & battles; Troop movements; Surrenders; Military retreats; Generals; Civil Wars; War
A three-page letter dated February 28, 1862, from John S. Brien to John C. Crittenden. Brien rejoices that Buell's troops "occupied the city and country without the necessity of shedding one drop of blood." He argues that property rights must be...
Letter from Joseph Gerald Branch in Davis Lake Plantation, Arkansas, to his wife Mary in Maury County, Tennessee. He writes about his plans to send her $15,000 in U.S. Treasury notes to invest in real estate to curb currency depreciation and insure...
Correspondence; Fathers; Mothers; Campaigns & battles; Civil Wars; War
Letter from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband, Samuel R. Latta, dated August 19, 1861. Although she has hoped that Samuel Latta's unit would be ordered into retreat in Tennessee, they have instead been ordered to New Madrid, Missouri.
Four-page letter from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband Samuel details news of their children and other family members. References are made to a scarcity of food and civilian transportation and rumors of battle. Mary proclaims her hope that her...
Four-page letter from Mary Guthrie Latta to husband Samuel expresses anxiety over not receiving a letter from him and the fact that this worry has infiltrated her dreams. She writes of receiving visitors, of the children's exploits, and of managing...
Letter from Robert Rutledge to his father, G. R. Rutledge, explaining the strategic value of East Tennessee and the likelihood of a Union invasion. He implores his father to leave Cleveland, Tennessee, and flee south to Georgia before such a raid...
Letter from Robert Rutledge to G. R. Rutledge describing the state of his current encampment near his Uncle Sam and Aunt Elzira's property. He explains that due to pillaging by the army the local population now despises the Confederate army almost...
Letter from Robert A. Rutledge to his wife, Mary Minerva Rutledge, concerning his lodgings; his purchase of a trunk, a cot, and a quilt; his problems being appointed assistant surgeon; and the desire of the "Lincolnites" and "Bushwhackers" of...
Letter from Robert Rutledge expressing concern for his sick son, correcting an earlier assertion that a member of his company was killed, and describing plans to buy land in Texas. He asks his wife to buy needed provisions without concern for...
Social values; Domestic life; Soldiers; Military life; Military personnel; Military organizations; Armies; War; Cities & towns
Letter from Sarah Hamilton to her husband, John Hamilton. She discusees the loss of the property and the slaves. She bemoans: "How long will this unholy war continue?"
Letter from Thomas Crutchfield Jr. to James R. Hood. Crutchfield makes an effort to prove his loyalty to the Union by recounting his opposition to secession, his informing the Federals of troop movements, his supplying of the Union army with...
Edward Dudley Tarpley worked as a miller in Texas and Mexico and served several months with the state militia. He arrived in Memphis, Tenn., two days after the Sultana disaster, and described the Mississippi River as being "gorged with dead...
Hand-drawn ink & watercolor of Rock Island Prison by J. M. Breeding. Possibly created for Christian Buhler, who was in the prison for 17 months and 12 days in Barracks #5. Drawing shows barracks, stockade & parapets, horses, guards, a burial...
Sword belonging to Edwin L. Higgins (24 January 1873 to 1 July 1875). Born in Missouri. Served w/Co. I, 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, USA. (90 days). Served with Co. K, 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was wounded at Vicksburg. He was...
Excerpts from a diary, 1834-1865, and memoir of early life, written by Jesse Cox (1793-1879), a Primitive Baptist minister and resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. He describes the hardships of life as an itinerant preacher, some religious...
