nd in general about the "Old Flag", and the Rebellion. There is also a photocopy of his service record. Bio: Clara was a school teacher. Truesdell enlisted in Company A, 16th Michigan Infantry at Ontonagon (MI) at age 28. He was mustered on Sept. 17, 1871 and discharged as disabled in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 12, 1862.
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 (MI), 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.
Van Ostran, Clare E. Diary, 1864. 1 folder. Diary, Jan. 1-Aug. 16, 1864, describes camp life near Roandy Station (Va.), his duties and meals, the enlistment of new men, drunkenness and gambling among the soldiers, the weather, and fighting battles in Wilderness (Va.). Miscellaneous financial accounts continue through Dec. 1864. Bio: Van Ostran, from Hartford Center (Van Buren County, MI), was a Corporal in Company C, 70th New York Volunteers or the 1st Regiment Excelsior Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was mustered in July 1864.
Van Vleck, Henry L. Papers, 1861, 1862. 1 folder. Papers, include: picket pass for Headquarters 47th Regiment, New York Volunteers, Fort Edisto St., dated April 27, 1862, and signed by Col. Henry Moore; a letter from Van Vleck on board the Roanoke (Steamship) off Annapolis (Md.), dated Oct. 19, 1861, to 'Dear Parents and Friends," which describes sleeping on deck, the food, his dislike of the Irish Brigade which fights a lot, and waiting for his pay; and a letter to Van Vleck from James L. Smith, Capt., Co. D, 47th, Headquarters 47th Regiment, New York Volunteers, at Camp Moore, Hilton Head (S. Car.), dated Nov. 18, 1861, recommending his promotion from Sergeant to Lieutenant. Bio: From Augusta (Kalamazoo County, MI), Van Vleck served in the Sherman Battery or Company D, 47th New York Volunteers or Infantry.
Vandeventer, Herman L., 1840- Correspondence, 1862. 1 folder. Letter, dated April 26, 1862, from Vandeventer in Camp Cameron (Washington, D.C.) to Louise M. Caple and cousin Henry in Italy Hollow. The letter describes how Herman was just paid two months pay and is owed to more months pay, how marching orders are "counter mandid," the death of soldiers from smallpox, and that he is homesick. There is also a photocopy of his service record. Bio: Vandeventer enlisted in Company E, 2nd Michigan Infantry on April 17, 1861 in Niles (MI) at age 21. he was mustered on May 25, 18861. From Jan. 30- April 9, 1864, he served in Company E, 17th Michigan Infantry. On July 21, 1864, he was discharged at Detroit (MI).
Wadsworth, Albert O., fl. 1850-1901. Account and Journal Books, 1850, 1901. 7 v. Account and journal books, 1850-1901. V.1 (1850-1861) has addresses of Lt. Henry (Harry) S. Wadsworth of the United States Colored Troops, 65th. V.2 (1861-1865) has accounts, 1861-1864, and journal entries, July 6, 1861-July 5, 1865. V.3 (1861-1864) has accounts of Harry Wadsworth's U.S. bonds for Civil War service. Bio: Henry was probably a white officer in the USCT. Albert was a farmer.
Walton, Jasper S., 1846- Discharge Certificate. 1864. 1 folder. Honorable discharge certificate for Walton from Company E, 142nd Ohio National Guards, dated Sept. 1864. It states that he was from Tuscasarvas County (Ohio), that he enrolled in Company E, 142nd Ohio National Guards on May 13, 1864, and was discharged on Sept. 2, 1864 at Camp Chase (Ohio). Also, a history of the 142nd Ohio National Guards. Bio: In 1864, Walton was 18 years old with a dark complexion, gray eyes, dark hair, and employed as a farmer. Company E, Ohio National Guards was mustered in at Camp Chase (Ohio) on May 12, 1864 and mustered out on Sept. 13, 1864 in battle.
Warden, Selina. Papers, 1856-1869. Includes letters, 1862-1865, from her brother, Benjamin Clark, who served in Company H, 1st Michigan Cavalry. Brief inventory.
Watson, Amasa B. Family Papers, 1854-1932, undated. Includes: General Orders, 1861; correspondence re: Amasa B. Watson G.A.R. Post No. 395, and a carte-de-visite of Amasa in his uniform. The Amasa B. Watson G.A.R. Post No. 395 and Amasa B. Watson Woman's Relief Corps, both of Grand Rapids (MI) were named in his honor. Bio: Watson (1836-1888) was a wealthy businessman. He was commissioned a Major in the 8th Michigan Infantry, a unit he raised, on Aug. 19, 1861. Shot through the thigh on Jan. 1, 1862, he resigned on Sept. 10, 1862, receiving an honorable discharge. Finding aid.
Wattles, Victor C., 1843- Correspondence, 1865. 1 folder. Correspondence includes a letter from Wattles in Fort Leavenworth (Kan.), dated June 1, 1865, to "Friend Jasper" wishing they could be together, describing his plans to visit Salt Lake City (Utah), the lack of during the trip, the desertion of about one hundred soldiers in Kansas, and that he traveled from Alexandria (Va.), through Washington, D.C., Blodensburg, took a steamer to Saint Louis (Mo.) and then traveled to Leavenworth (Kan.). There is also a photocopy of his service record. Bio: Wattles enlisted in Company L, 7th Michigan Cavalry on Feb. 28, 1865 at Battle Creek (MI) and was promoted to Corporal on May 1, 1865. He was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth (Kan.) on Dec. 8, 1865.
Whitney, J. C. Diary, 1862, 1863. 1 folder. Diary, Sept. 15, 1862-April 22, 1863, includes an account of his travel from Rockford (IL) to a military camp south of Cincinnati (Ohio) and then to a permanent camp near Danville (Ky.). He describes camp life, dress parades, inspections, skirmishes, fights, being surrounded by Rebels south of Nashville (TN), having received a present from Mary J. Whitney, and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Bio: Whitney was from Lake Zurich (Lake County, IL) and served in Company C, 96th Illinois Volunteers.
Wilkins, William D., 1827-1882. Diary, 1862. 1 vol. [photostat of typescript]. Later illustrated diary of Wilkins' imprisonment, August 12-Sept. 26, 1862, describing daily life, prison conditions, and inhumane treatment of prisoners. Bio: Prominent Detroit (MI) citizen; Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Volunteers, under General Alpheus Williams; and prisoner at Libby Prison in Richmond (Va.).
Wise, Mahala E. Correspondence, 1864. 1 folder. Letter from Wise at Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Cavalry Corps, dated July 25, 1864, to "Dear Chester" about living in a camp near Petersburg (Va.?) and sick friends. Bio: There is no information available on Wise or Chester.
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 (MI), 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.
Young, Charles B., 1829-1864. Correspondence, 1864, 1865. 1 folder. Correspondence from Young, includes: a letter to "Dear Father, Wife and Children," dated Oct. 30, 1864, in Chattanooga (TN), describing a lack of tents and equipment; eating hardtack; traveling from Jackson (MI) to Indianapolis (Ind.), Louisville (Ky.), and Nashville (TN); men in his unit from Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties, and lots of Confederate prisoners of war. Letter "No. 2" from Nashville (TN), dated Nov. 8, 1864, describes a trip to Atlanta (Ga.) from Chattanooga (TN), burnt locomotives, devastated country, hopes that the war will end, and Young asks his wife to kiss his children daily. A note from Young in Nashville (TN), dated Dec. 7, 1864, describes good food, a skirmish, signs of campfires, many sick, and that all but two of his tentmates are hospitalized. His last letter to "Dear Family," dated Dec. 22, 1864, notes that his comrades drove Rebels father back, captured troops and artillery, were on night maneuvers, the battlefields were covered with dead and wounded soldiers, rain soaked supplies, and that he has been sick. The last letter is from John S. Young, Charles' brother, to "Dear Father," dated Feb. 28, 1865, and notes that he received Father's letter about Charles' death, his sorrow for Charles' wife (Elmira) and children, and that he will try to send money and get Charles' back pay. There is also a photocopy of Charles' service record. Bio: Charles Young enlisted in Company I, 23rd Michigan Infantry in Coe Township (Isabella County, MI) in 1864, at age 35. He was mustered on Sept. 22, 1864 and joined the regiment on Nov. 12, 1865. He died of disease in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 1865, and was buried at the National Cemetery in Arlington (Va.).
Young, Nathan H., 1843-1863. Correspondence, 1861. One letter, from Young at Camp Bennett (sp?) to his "Dear Mother," dated Dec. 15, 1861, expresing concern over his father's enlistment and describing the lack of equipment, his pay, expenses, and the weather. There is also a photocopy of his service record. Bio: Young, from Kalamazoo County (MI), enlisted in Company F, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, on Sept. 10, 1861, at age 18. He was mustered on Oct. 12, 1861. On April 14, 1863, he died of disease at Lexington (Ky.) and was buried at the National Cemetery at Corinth (MS), Grave No. 2375.