Unpublished Civil War Material
in the Clarke Historical Library
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.