Unpublished Civil War Material
in the Clarke Historical Library
Confederate States of America (C.S.A.)
Alliton, Silas (1842- ) Papers, 1860-1916, include reunion banner, Company G, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, 3 diaries, 1863-1866, postcards, newspaper clippings, correspondence with Alliton and girlfriend, Dora Knight. Letters describe camp life, skirmishes with Rebels in MS and Ark., discontent and mutiny over delayed discharge after War. Also letters of Henry R. Wallace, a soldier in Company B, 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics to Dora about the Battle of Chattanooga, Ga. skirmishes, political sentiments, and pro-Lincoln ideas.
Anonymous. Diary, 1864-1865. 1 item (6 pages). Typescript of a diary with brief entries from July 10, 1864 to Feb. 1, 1865. Entries primarily record: work details, food, letters, foraging, weather, and deaths. Of some interest is the brief account of a Rebel raid on August 21, 1864. The unit mustered out on Sept. 23, 1864 and entries following that date concern school. Bio: Resident of Burlington, WI and a member of a Wisconsin unit in the Civil War.
Blair, Austin [Gov.] (1818-1894) Civil War Centennial Observance Commission Papers, 1959-1966. Correspondence of chair, Floyd Haight, minutes, reports, publications of Commission. Correspondence re: dismissal of Exec. Sec'y Michigan Historical Commission, Lewis Beeson, newspaper clippings, papers "Major internal problems of the Confederacy" by A. B. Moore and "Michigan and the centennial of the Homestead Act, 1862-1883."
Ensign, Daniel J., d. 1862. Letters, 1861-1862. 4 items. Letters to sister, Amanda, while stationed at Arlington Heights. Topics include: 1st Bull Run, Virginia women, local Michigan news, and he predicts the end of the war by the spring of 1862. Also, brief service record. Bio: Resident of Genessee County, MI; served with the 2nd Michigan Inf., Co. F; died in 1862 from a wound received at Fair Oaks, VA.
Hammond, Harry. Letter, 1862, June 7. 2 items. Letter to his wife, original and typescript, which discusses communication between the Union and Confederate armies, a dispatch to R. E. Lee, Richmond, and asks her to write more often. Bio: Major Hammond was brigade quartermaster for McGowan's brigade, 14th South Carolina Infantry.
Higbee, Frederick, 1833- Correspondence, 1864. 1 folder. A three-page letter, dated Feb. 8, 1864, written in Camp Bulick (Va.) to "Friend Clarcey" (Whitney), describes a soldier's life, Rebels, a recent battle, and plans for life after the war. There is also a photocopy of Higbee's service record. Bio: Higbee was a resident of Newaygo County (MI). He enlisted in the Michigan Infantry Regiment, 3rd, Company H in 1861 at age 28. He was promoted to Corporal on Nov. 10, 1861, Sergeant on Oct. 27, 1862, and mustered out in Detroit in 1864.
Hunter, William H. Letter, March 29, 1862, from Hunter at Ship Island to his mother expressing satisfaction with military service, telling about Rebels coming by small boats from New Orleans (La.) to force all men and boys to enlist. Bio: Hunter served in the 6th Battery, Massachusetts Volunteers.
Jennings, William C. Correspondence, 1862. 1 folder. A three-page letter, dated Aug. 17, 1862, addressed to "Brother" who had just enlisted. Jennings mentions his smart little daughter, Addey Idelan. The letter was sent from North Springfield (Ill.). A note on the envelope and the back of the letter states the letter was retrieved from a Rebel knapsack after the Battle of South Mountain.
McDonald, George, 1842-1865. Correspondence, 1864. Letter and envelope, dated Aug. 11, 1864, addressed to Mrs. Nancie Rowland, Howell (Livingston County, MI) and "Dear sister and brother" from McDonald in Headquarters Dept. of Cumberland near Atlanta (Ga.), camp of the 6th Michigan Veteran Infantry. The letter notes that McDonald is alive and well, that he received letters from family, that he hopes God will save him, the war may continue for a long time, he hates war, and many Rebels were forced into service by the attitude of Southern women. Bio: McDonald enlisted in Co. F, 6th Michigan Infantry in March 1864 in Charlotte (Eaton County, MI) at the age of 22. He was mustered in April 1864 and transferred to Co. H in May 1864. He died of disease at Fort Gaines (Ala.) on June 10, 1865 and is buried in the National Cemetery at Mobile (Ala.), Grave No. 602.
Montgomery, Thomas S. Eleven months experience in a Rebel prison. Typed manuscript (copy) (20 p.). 1 folder. Typed transcript of the story of his life before the war, his military record, battles, being taken prisoner at the Battle of Bull Run, life in Libby Prison and the U.S. Hotel in Tuscaloosa (MS), treatment of soldiers, wounding of his thigh, re-enlistment, re-capture, food and supplies, and being paroled. A photocopy of his service record is also included. Bio: Montgomery was born April 25, 1836 in Angelica (Allegany County, NY). In April 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 1st Michigan Infantry. He was mustered in May 1861, taken prisoner at Bull Run (Va) July 21, 1861, and discharged at Detroit, July 1862. He re-enlisted in the 5th Michigan Infantry, Co. G in 1862 at the age of 28. He was mustered in Sept. 1862, wounded at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and promoted to Corporal. He was transferred to the Invalid Corps on Oct. 20, 1863 and discharged on disability at Washington, D.C. on Aug. 5, 1865, from the 3rd Co., 2nd Battalion, V.R.C. (Veteran Reserve Corps).
Pickett, George E. (George Edward), 1825-1875. Correspondence, 1861. 1 folder. Letter from Confederate Col. Pickett, Headquarters of the 21st Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus (Ky.), to Confederate Col. R. M. Russell, Commander of the 2nd Brigade. Dated Nov. 18, 1861, it describes orders delivered during the battle. Pickett reported 78 killed or wounded including 4 of 8 captains, five lieutenants, and that every mounted officer's horse was shot. Also mentioned are Confederate Brig. Gen. Pillow and Gen. Polk. There are also photocopies of their biographies. Other officers mentioned include Capt. R. J. Persons and Col. R. M. Russell. Bio: Pickett, a Confederate Brig. Gen., was from Va. He most remembered for Pickett's Charge. He surrendered at Appomattox. Pillow, a Confederate Gen. from TN, was a lawyer and Mexican War veteran. Twice wounded, he was appointed senior Maj. Gen. of TN When those troops transferred to the CSA, he was appointed Brig. Gen. of CSA in 1861. He fought at Belmont (Mo.) (Nov. 7, 1861) and suspended and reprimanded for leaving a junior officer to negotiate terms with General Grant. Polk, a Confederate Gen. and Episcopal bishop, occupied Columbus (Ky.) (Sept. 4, 1861) and defeated Grant at Belmont (Mo.) on Nov. 7, 1861. He was killed in action on June 14, 1864.
Rally Boys [Confederate song], June, 1862. Copied by F. W. Sedgwick (Parma, MI) from a Missouri lady.
Tyler, Henry G., 1844- Correspondence, 1864. 1 folder. Letter by Tyler in Welton (Iowa), dated March 19, 1864, to "Friend Stafford" describing how Rebel sympathizers interfered with his trip to Quincy (Mich.), Elkhart (Ind.), and Rock River (IL). There is also a copy of Tyler's service record. Bio: Tyler enlisted in Company C (reorganized), 3rd Michigan Infantry on October 9, 1864 at Bushnell Township (Montcalm County, MI) at age 20. He deserted at Green Lake (Tex.) on July 13, 1865.