Leaders

• Brown, John

  • Clark, C. Letter, Nov. 11, 1859, from Clark in Ann Arbor (Mich.) to his unidentified sister, about family topics and Abolitionist John Brown.

• Buford, Abraham, 1820-1884

  • Kneeland, Samuel M., 1838- Papers, 1864, 1905. 1 folder, ill. Papers, 1864-1865 and 1905. Includes a carbon letter notebook, Sept. 26-Dec. 23, 1864, with copies of letters sent from Headquarters District, North Alabama at Decatur, Huntsville, and other locations. Loose correspondence is dated Sept. 30, 1864 (two letters), December 21-23, 1864, and Dec. 23, 1865. The Dec. 22, 1864 letter was sent from the Steamer Stone River. U.S. Military telegrams dated Dec. 18-20, 1864 and undated; two almost illegible notes, rejecting the offer of Confederate Brigadier General Abraham Buford to surrender Huntsville; miscellaneous GAR momentos; an eight-page typed article on the Tufts Family of Medford, 1905; and a carte de visite. probably of Kneeland are also included. Bio: Kneeland, a resident of Tecumseh (Mich.), entered the service in August 1862 as a 1st Sergeant of the Michigan Infantry Regiment, 18th, Company I. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in December 1862; served as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Brigadier General Gillmore, January-June 1863; and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company E in December 1863. He served as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of General Gordon Granger, December 1864-June 1865. He was mustered out June 1865 at Nashville (TN).

• Burnside, A.E. (Ambrose Everett), 1824-1881

  • Hodskin. Charles Horace, 1837-1905. Papers, 1861, 1905. .25 cubic ft. (in 1 box). IL papers, 1861-1905 and undated, include biographical material, certificates, Civil War diary, and correspondence, and daguerreotypes. The Civil War materials, 1861-1864, discuss the weather; drills; skirmishes; major General A. E. Burnside's military failures; heavy losses; U.S. Colored Troops; and marches to Bardston, Lebanon, Jamestown, and Memphis (TN). Bio: Hodskin, born on Aug. 22, 1837, moved to Battle Creek (MI). He served in the Michigan Infantry 2nd Regiment during the Civil War and was eventually honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1864. He died on Feb. 18, 1905, in Manistee (MI).

• Custer, George A. (George Armstrong), 1839-1876

  • Macomber, Dexter M., 1840- Diary, 1861, 1891. Photocopy of a transcript of a diary, 1861-1864, describing army life, position and location of troops, commanding officers, his personal experiences, skirmishes, battles, and a description of Gen. George Custer. In the back is a speech he gave entitled, "Army Horse or Boots and Saddle." Also, a copy of his service record. Bio: A resident of Oakland County (Mich.), Macomber enlisted and was mustered in Co. C, Michigan 1st Cavalry in Northville, Wayne County (MI), in Sept. 1861. He was taken prisoner at Bull Run (Va.) in 1862. Paroled, he re-enlisted and was mustered in Dec. 1863. He was transferred to Company H in March 1864. In June 1864, He was taken prisoner at Trevillian Station (Va.). He was again paroled and in August 1864, he was taken prisoner at Weldon Railroad (Va.). He was paroled for the last time in March 1865 and discharged in June 1865 in Ohio.

  • Slaven, George C., Diaries, 1864, 1865. 1 Folder. Diaries, Jan. 1, 1864-July 24, 1865, briefly and daily note the weather, marching, picket duty, deaths and a funeral of comrades, fighting Rebels, and various locations in Virginia where the company marched to, fought at, or camped during the war, including Spotsylvania. On Oct. 21, 1864 the battalion escorted Gen George A. Custer. Also included are photocopies of relevant pages from the regimental history. Bio: Slaven enlisted on Jan. 15, 1863 in Company B of the 18th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was discharged by General Order on July 21, 1865. His hometown is listed as Greenwood Township (Crawford County, PA) in the diary. An Andrew W. Slaven, possibly a brother, enlisted in the same company and also survived the war.

• Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

  • Cleaveland, Fitch W. Correspondence, 1862, 1866. 1 folder. Correspondence (photocopies), 1862-1866, between Ohio Civil War soldier Cleaveland and his future wife, Ellen L. Brisbee, in Wood County (Ohio). One letter from him while stationed in Louisville (Ky.) to Brisbee, dated Sept. 30, 1862, describes the shooting of Gen. Nelson by Jefferson Davis and news of Cleaveland's unit (which is unspecified). Bio: Cleaveland served in an unknown Ohio unit during the Civil War. In 1865, Cleaveland moved to Isabella County (Mich.). He later returned to Wood County (Ohio) to marry Ellen L. Brisbee in Nov. 1866. They then moved to Isabella County (Mich.).

  • Scrapbook, 1 v. Debate on granting Jefferson Davis a pension, condensed from Proceedings of the Senate, March 3, 1879. 8 p. Pamphlet missing cover, pasted into Scrapbook No. 6, with newspaper clippings.

• Granger, Gordon, 1822-1876

  • Kneeland, Samuel M., 1838- Papers, 1864, 1905. 1 folder, IL Papers, 1864-1865 and 1905. Includes a carbon letter notebook, Sept. 26-Dec. 23, 1864, with copies of letters sent from Headquarters District, North Alabama at Decatur, Huntsville, and other locations. Loose correspondence is dated Sept. 30, 1864 (two letters), December 21-23, 1864, and Dec. 23, 1865. The Dec. 22, 1864 letter was sent from the Steamer Stone River. U.S. Military telegrams dated Dec. 18-20, 1864 and undated; two almost illegible notes, rejecting the offer of Confederate Brigadier General Abraham Buford to surrender Huntsville; miscellaneous GAR momentos; an eight-page typed article on the Tufts Family of Medford, 1905; and a carte de visite. probably of Kneeland are also included. Bio: Kneeland, a resident of Tecumseh (Mich.), entered the service in August 1862 as a 1st Sergeant of the Michigan Infantry Regiment, 18th, Company I. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in December 1862; served as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Brigadier General Gillmore, January-June 1863; and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company E in December 1863. He served as Aide-de-Camp on the staff of General Gordon Granger, December 1864-June 1865. He was mustered out June 1865 at Nashville (TN).

• Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

  • McDowell, John E., d. ca.1995. Papers, 1968, 1994. 1.5 cubic ft. (in 2 boxes). IL Papers, 1968-1994 and undated, include his notes, unpublished papers, and correspondence about Charles H. Salter, a Detroit Civil War veteran, and Ulysses S. Grant. Bio: McDowell owned his own tax consulting/accounting service in Indian River (MI). Finding Aid.

• Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879

  • Curtiss, Charles H., 1837- Papers, 1854, 1926. 1.5 cubic ft. (in 3 boxes), IL Papers, 1854-1926, include: four diaries, 1860-1864, and letters discussing marches, battles, Gen McClellan, Gen. Hooker, the treatment of soldiers, and cadets shot for desertion. Eleven muster rolls of Co. E, 7th Michigan Infantry, 1861-1863, and nine monthly returns, 1862- 1863, are housed separately due to their size. Lists of military supplies and men killed in action are noted in the 1864 diary. Photographs of Curtiss and one of his wife, Fannie, in an 1855 New Testament, and an illustration of their homestead are also included. Bio: Charles Henry Curtiss, also spelled Curtis, was born in 1837 in Huntington (Shelton, Conn.). He moved to Detroit (Mich.) in 1855. He served as Quartermaster Sergeant of the 7th Infantry, beginning in 1861. He was commission as a 2nd Lt. in Jan. 1863 and as a 1st Lt. in Feb. 1863. By Aug. 1863 he was Aide-de-camp to Col. Carrol. He was commissioned as a Captain in March 1864. In June 1864, he was honorably discharged. Finding aid and item-level index cards available.

• Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

  • Parkhurst, John G. (John Gibson), 1824-1906. Marshall Appointment Certificate, 1866. 1 Oversized folder. Printed certificate appointing Parkhurst Marshall for the Eastern District of Michigan, signed in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17, 1866, by Pres. Andrew Johnson, and F.W. Seward, Acting Secretary of State. The certificate has a beautiful, detailed, intact seal. A photocopy of PArkhurst's service record and photograph are included. Bio: Parkhurst enlisted and was commissioned at age 37 in the 9th Michigan Infantry as a Lt. Col. on Sept. 10, 1861 at Coldwater (Mich.). He was captured at Murfreesboro (TN) on July 13, 1862 and exchanged on Dec. 3, 1862. He served as Provost Marshal, 14th Army Corps, Oct. 1863-Sept. 1865 and Provost Marshal, General Military District Tennessee, June 25-Nov. 10, 1865. He was discharged at Detroit (MI) on Nov. 10, 1865. For gallantry and meritorious service, he was named Brevet Brigadier Gen., U.S. Volunteers on May 22, 1865. After the war he lived in Coldwater (MI). He was appointed Marshall for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1866.

• Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

  • Alexander, Walter H. Correspondence, 1864. 1 folder. One letter, dated Nov. 16, 1864, addresed to "friend Hez" and mailed from Watertown (NY). The letter describes the snow, a house full of relatives, and fears of raids from Canada. Politically, he mentions mass meetings, stump s(p)eaking (campaign speeches), a calm election in Jefferson County (NY) for Gov. Horatio Seymour, and "Hurray for Abe" (Lincoln). He mentions that Gus Alexander and Hez were drafted into the Gov. Seymour Guards. Gus was at Homeopathic Medical Hospital in New York City.

  • Berchem, Jules. Papers include a letter, 1909, to Mr. Lorimer Worden re: cast of Abraham Lincoln's hand. Note on the back from James Worden (Lorimer's son) notes the cast was given to Lorimer by Berchem. Also a newspaper clipping about the cast.

  • Limbocker, William E., 1835-1863. Diary, 1861. 1 v. (in 1 folder). Diary, June-Aug. 1861, describes camp life near Washington; picket duty; battles; skirmishes; arrival in Fairfax (Va.); desertions; the destruction of his regiment at Gettysburg on July 21, 1861; forming a brigade under Gen Sherman; taking Rebel prisoners; the destruction of Virginia; a parade before Gen. Scott, Pres. Lincoln, and Gen. McClellan; the capture of Fort Scott; burning of wheat and Rebel homes; his broken hand; and a grand review in front of Lincoln and McClellan. Bio: Limbocker or Lenbocker, enlisted and was mustered in Co. F, 4th Michigan Infantry at age 26 in Adrian, Lenawee County (Mich.) in June 1861. He was wounded in action in June 1862 and taken prisoner at Gettysburg (PA) on July 2, 1863. He was killed on Oct. 25, 1863 at Belle Island, Richmond (Va.) by enemy's guard, while on police duty.

  • McClure, J. D. Letter, April 16, 1865. Letter from McClure in Memphis (TN) to his parents describing the city and "Horrible" news of Lincoln's assassination.

  • Sedgwick Family. Papers, 1862-1911. 13 items. Papers include: genealogical information, poetry, a letter, a Confederate song about the Civil War, envelopes, and a cartoon. A 25 page pamphlet by Edward S. Johnson entitled "Abraham Lincoln and his last resting place" is also included. Bio: The Sedgwicks were a family from Connecticut who moved west to Ohio and Illinios in the mid 19th century.

  • Smith, Arthur M. Speech, 1864. Typed speech (18 p.) by Smith, entitled "The Ingenious Lincoln" for Ford's Theater National Historic Site, Washington, D.C. Bio: Judge of the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.

  • Yarick, John. Papers, 1854, 1864. 1 folder. Papers include: Two letters to "Dear Brother" (John) from his brother, Reuben Yarick, including one from Fort Monroe (Va.) Camp Hamilton, dated March 26, 1862, describing picket duty, Gen. Wool, and Rebel pickets. A second letter, dated April 23, 1865, from Reuben at Washington, D.C., to John, describes his fears and feelings about the assassination of President Lincoln and visiting the body in the White House. There are also two letters from a third brother, G.[eorge] W.[ashington] Yarick, to John, dated June 13 and August 15, 1864, at the U.S. Hospital, Hampton (Va.), about Reuben being wounded and hospitalized, hopes for peace, and the restoration of the Union. A photocopy of Reuben Yarick's service record is also included. Bio: Reuben Yarick enlisted in Company G, 1st Michigan Infantry as a Sergeant on July 2, 1861, at Jackson (Mich.), at age 25. He was mustered on July 13, 1861. He re-enlisted on February 17, 1864 as a Sergeant, at Beverly Ford (Va.), and was mustered in the next day. On June 3, 1864, he was wounded in action and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps (VRC). He was discharged from Company B, 24th VRC at Washington, D.C., on July 28, 1865.

• McCellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885

  • Curtiss, Charles H., 1837- Papers, 1854, 1926. 1.5 cubic ft. (in 3 boxes), IL Papers, 1854-1926, include: four diaries, 1860-1864, and letters discussing marches, battles, Gen McClellan, Gen. Hooker, the treatment of soldiers, and cadets shot for desertion. Eleven muster rolls of Co. E, 7th Michigan Infantry, 1861-1863, and nine monthly returns, 1862- 1863, are housed separately due to their size. Lists of military supplies and men killed in action are noted in the 1864 diary. Photographs of Curtiss and one of his wife, Fannie, in an 1855 New Testament, and an illustration of their homestead are also included. Bio: Charles Henry Curtiss, also spelled Curtis, was born in 1837 in Huntington (Shelton, Conn.). He moved to Detroit (Mich.) in 1855. He served as Quartermaster Sergeant of the 7th Infantry, beginning in 1861. He was commission as a 2nd Lt. in Jan. 1863 and as a 1st Lt. in Feb. 1863. By Aug. 1863 he was Aide-de-camp to Col. Carrol. He was commissioned as a Captain in March 1864. In June 1864, he was honorably discharged. Finding aid and item-level index cards available.

  • Limbocker, William E., 1835-1863. Diary, 1861. 1 v. (in 1 folder). Diary, June-Aug. 1861, describes camp life near Washington; picket duty; battles; skirmishes; arrival in Fairfax (Va.); desertions; the destruction of his regiment at Gettysburg on July 21, 1861; forming a brigade under Gen Sherman; taking Rebel prisoners; the destruction of Virginia; a parade before Gen. Scott, Pres. Lincoln, and Gen. McClellan; the capture of Fort Scott; burning of wheat and Rebel homes; his broken hand; and a grand review in front of Lincoln and McClellan. Bio: Limbocker or Lenbocker, enlisted and was mustered in Co. F, 4th Michigan Infantry at age 26 in Adrian, Lenawee County (Mich.) in June 1861. He was wounded in action in June 1862 and taken prisoner at Gettysburg (PA) on July 2, 1863. He was killed on Oct. 25, 1863 at Belle Island, Richmond (Va.) by enemy's guard, while on police duty.

• Pickett, George E. (George Edward), 1825-1875

  • 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.

• Pillow, Gideon Johnson, 1806-1876

  • 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.

  Polk, Leonidas, BP., 1806-1864

  • 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.

• Seymour, Horatio, 1810-1886

  • Alexander, Walter H. Correspondence, 1864. 1 folder. One letter, dated Nov. 16, 1864, addressed to "friend Hez" and mailed from Watertown (NY). The letter describes the snow, a house full of relatives, and fears of raids from Canada. Politically, he mentions mass meetings, stump s(p)eaking (campaign speeches), a calm election in Jefferson County (NY) for Gov. Horatio Seymour, and "Hurray for Abe" (Lincoln). He mentions that Gus Alexander and Hez were drafted into the Gov. Seymour Guards. Gus was at Homeopathic Medical Hospital in New York City.

• Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

  • Clarke Historical Library. Civil War Stereographs, ca. 1863-1880. 7 items. Views relating to the Civil War, including: Gettysburg (from paintings and photographs), a field hospital, General Sheridan, and the gunboat Onondaga.

• Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

  • Champion, Julius, 1845- Diary, 1864-1865. 1 item (34 pages). Typescript of diary with entries about travel, duties, and daily activities, and also descriptions of several battles during Sherman's March to the Sea. Includes brief service history. Bio: Champion served with the 1st Michigan Light Artillery, Battery B.

  • Daniels, John. Marching Through Georgia, 1864-1865. 1 item (31 pages). Photocopy of a typescript of a diary with brief but detailed entries from mustering in to mustering out; movements; and the countryside of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina; burning of the countryside; food; a battle at Savannah; and railroads. Includes brief service history. Bio: Daniels served with the 13th Michigan Infantry Regiment, Company C.

  • Limbocker, William E., 1835-1863. Diary, 1861. 1 v. (in 1 folder). Diary, June-Aug. 1861, describes camp life near Washington; picket duty; battles; skirmishes; arrival in Fairfax (Va.); desertions; the destruction of his regiment at Gettysburg on July 21, 1861; forming a brigade under Gen Sherman; taking Rebel prisoners; the destruction of Virginia; a parade before Gen. Scott, Pres. Lincoln, and Gen. McClellan; the capture of Fort Scott; burning of wheat and Rebel homes; his broken hand; and a grand review in front of Lincoln and McClellan. Bio: Limbocker or Lenbocker, enlisted and was mustered in Co. F, 4th Michigan Infantry at age 26 in Adrian, Lenawee County (Mich.) in June 1861. He was wounded in action in June 1862 and taken prisoner at Gettysburg (PA) on July 2, 1863. He was killed on Oct. 25, 1863 at Belle Island, Richmond (Va.) by enemy's guard, while on police duty.

  • Love, John C., 1840-1867. Papers, 1861-1864. 74 items. Collection includes his partial journal, September 8, 1863-October 26, 1864, and letters directed to his parents, 1861- 1864. Bio: Love was a farmer from Napoleon, Michigan, who served in the Eleventh and Ninth Michigan Infantry Regiments. He participated in campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee and in Sherman's march through Georgia.

  • Poe, O. M. (Orlando Metcalfe), 1832-1895. Papers, 1853, 1886. 1 box (.5 cubic foot), oversized, maps. Papers, 1853-1886, and undated, including: military correspondence, 1856-1868; military orders, 1861-1864; work reports by Poe, 1860, 1863, and undated; Poe's U.S. Military Academy class standing reports, 1853-1856; papers of a Court of Inquiry Trial (not for Poe), 1855; morning reports of 1st Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, 1864-1865; muster roll of the United States Army Corps, 23rd, Engineer Battalion, 1863; a miscellaneous note and newspaper clipping about the surrender of Ft. Sumter (North Carolina), 1861; and various maps and sketches. The Papers document his work and that of his engineers and mechanics during the Civil War. Of interest are correspondence and Poe's reports (Nov.-Dec. 1864 and early 1865) detailing the destruction of Atlanta and Savannah (Ga.) which Poe's men razed on Gen. Sherman's orders. Bio: Poe was a breveted Union brigadier general in the Civil War. He was Chief Engineer of the Ohio and served as Gen. William T. Sherman's Chief Engineer. He was an engineer on the Great Lakes after the Civil War. One of the Soo Locks (at Sault Ste. Marie, MI) is named after him. Finding Aid.

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  This file was last updated in June 2000