2009ms132.0088 : [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American letters: Civil War soldiers letters, 1798-1986, bulk 1854-1915, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Collection is arranged into three series: soldier's papers, friends and family of soldier's papers, and assorted papers.
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
American Letters collector Wade Hall is a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Since 1962, he has lived in Louisville, where he has taught English and chaired he English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He has also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He holds degrees from Troy State University (B. S.), the University of Alabama (M. A), and the University of Illinois (Ph. D.). He served for two years in the U. S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall is the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include
The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Civil War soldier letters (1798-1986, bulk 1854-1915; 1.66 cubic feet) comprise correspondence, newspapers and newspaper clippings, photographs, journals, military records, affidavits and pension claims, poems and songs, other manuscripts, and realia of Civil War soldiers and their friends and families. The collection reflects the period both before and after the Civil War, documenting military and civilian observations, experiences, daily life, and concerns. The papers include observations on camp life; battles and skirmishes, such as the battle of Gettysburg; slaves and slaveholding; opinions on the Civil War; and prisons and prisoners. Notable items are the war observations of Asaph Clark (Box 158; Folder 17-19); Clark's quartermaster papers (Box 158; Folder 23); an oath of allegiance (Box 161; Folder 2); muster rolls (Box 161; Folder 2); and a hand drawn map (box 158; Folder 11). Locations represented in the collection include Gettysburg, Penn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; New York, N.Y.; Richmond, Va.; and Washington, D.C. Names represented in the collection include George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885), William S. Rosecrans (1819-1898), and William Kaye, Mayor of Louisville (1863-1864).
The Civil War soldiers letters is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil War to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.
Correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, journal, songs, and realia comprise the Soldiers series, that document the experiences, observations, and concerns of soldiers during and after the civil war. This series is subdivided by the soldier's name.
The Asaph Clark papers make-up the bulk of this series and include correspondence, his journal, photographs, a map, a song, and his quartermaster papers. The correspondence consist of letters from Clark to his mother relating his observations and movements during the war. His quartermaster papers include inventories and accounts that he kept for the company. Notable items include a letter from a doctor concerning a soldier in Clark's company providing an account of the soldier's death and effects, Clark's journal describing his everyday observations, ambrotypes of Clark and an unidentified woman, and a hand drawn map of a camp site in which his company stayed for some time. Also included among his papers is a song,
The Thomas Hammer papers comprise a significant portion of the series and contain correspondence, receipts, letter fragments, a legal document, and a book cover. His correspondence is divided first into the letters to his wife Bell/Bella during the war and second into the letters to other people during and after the war including his parents, his brother, a Lieutenant, and a letter to his niece not written by him.
Another large section of this series contains in the William E. Spencer papers and consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, a photograph, transcripts of letters, a map, an essay, an obituary, and photocopies. The majority of the correspondence includes letters written by or to William E. Spencer during the war, mostly to family member and friends as well as one from his grandfather to Spencer. The other correspondence comprises letters to William E. Spencer's father; one from a soldier returning an item he stole from the deceased William; two from E. B. French, an auditor, about the Spencer family pension claim; and another concerning the deaths of his other son James.
Other items include letters to and/or from Major Generals of the Civil War, such as John A. Logan, George B. McClellan, William Rosecrans, Joseph Bradford Carr, and William McLean. The series also includes affidavits and claims by soldiers for pension purposes. The correspondence, some including hand drawn illustrations, observations of not only camp life but also skirmishes, battles, and prisoners. Several sections contain newspaper clippings during and after the war, reproductions of sketches, a song, items written in other languages, a petition from a group of soldiers to the mayor of Louisville, and military reports and inventories.
An affidavit written on the behalf of Boehm affirming Boehm's military service and subsequent health problems.
Contains a notification that there is a cholera epidemic in Philadelphia.
Contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter includes information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of he mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Robert's letter contains information on the condition and sale of the mother's slaves.
Bubrel wrote to Carr to request profile photos of the Major General to aid him in sculpting Carr for the New York state monument at Gettysburg.
Cavett's letter relates that 900 rebel prisoners will be brought in the next day.
These folders include the personal journal kept by Clark during the war from 1862-1865. In these he includes observations of his movements from camps/forts/battles, the weather and sights, and daily life. Some specific notations include skirmishes, capture of rebel prisoners, mustering into the army, fighting the environment, interaction with slaves, the death of comrades, and a fight in camp. He also includes a drawing of his work station at one camp as quartermaster and also an invitation to a concert and ball while at a fort.
Clark used a page from his journal to write the letter, so the letter includes observations from the field.
Clark used a page of his journal to write the letter, so the letter includes some his observations from the field.
Letter written to Clark as the Quartermaster of his unit to report the death of Private Albert E. Thompson. The letter includes the reason for Thompson's death and a list of his effects.
An amber type photo of Asaph Clark and an unidentified woman.
Inventories and accounts of stores kept by Clark when he served as quartermaster, they also include a letter to himself concerning a missing item.
James B. Colson wrote this letter on the behalf of W. E. Colson to request the pistol W. E. Colson purchased from Mr. A. D. Woodson.
Cresap wrote to Major General John C. Breckingridge to request for supplies to be sent to Richmond, VA.
Curless requested his pension and included a statement from Joseph F. Mueller attesting his fragile health.
Draft of a letter with descriptions of his health problems.
A letter written by Robert J. J. Harkins on the behalf of Frank M. Hallister to claim his pension.
Includes another letter in a foreign language on back dated, May, 29 1862.
Alice and Tom wrote to express their congratulations to Mary on her upcoming commencement.
A legal document from the county court of Charles City stating that payment must be made by Ralph Burton and James Walker to William Jarvis on account of Robert Goodwich.
An obituary of Henry Adam Kimbell written on the night he died, relating birth, immigration, education, marriage, children, church service, death and survivors.
H. H. Markworth wrote to General Rosencrans the misconduct seen by the First Lieutenant of one of the Captains tearing the muster rolls and refusing Markworth his salary until he obtains the Captain a furlough. He includes evidence of his enlistment and duty during term of service.
Letter includes an announcement of the upcoming reunion of the brigade.
Special order by Thomas W. Patterson instructing an inspection of meat quality.
A special order by Thomas W. Patterson concerning the loss of wood.
Potts notifies his comrades about his inability to attend their annual reunion.
The letter includes an authorization for training Frank Rice.
The newspaper clipping includes the letter from E. H. Smith to Mr. E. Spencer informing Spencer of the death of his son William E. Spencer, death and expressing his condolences. Also included in the clipping is part of a letter written by William E. Spencer.
The letter includes information on the pension claim made by Spencer's family.
The letter includes information about the pension claim made by Spencer's family.
This letter is from an unidentified soldier apologizing and returning a stolen penholder, taken from the now deceased William E. Spencer.
Th Society sends its condolences for the death of James, Elihu's last son, who was a member of their society.
Correspondence and other written manuscripts compose the Family and friends series and reflect the experiences, life, and concerns of the family and friends of soldiers during and after the Civil War. The series is subdivided by the the names of the correspondents.
The Burwell family papers make up the bulk of this series and include correspondence, letter fragments, envelopes, an obituary, grade reports, a prescription, and a notification for jury duty. The majority of the correspondence are letters to Lewis S. Burwell during and after the war from family, friends, and aquaintances. Additionally the papers contain correspondence written by Lewis Burwell to his friends after the war, the correspondence of A. S. W. and L. M. W. to family, and a letter to Lucy Burwell. Notable items include the grade reports of Laura Burwell, the daughter of Lewis S. Burwell, from the Vermont Academy.
Another smaller section of this series comprise the Kate Morris papers and consists of correspondence, invitations, and poems. The correspondence is all letters to Priscilla (Kate) Morris from family and friends during and shortly after the Civil War.
Additional items include a letter from John M. Harlan recommends E. H. Smith for candidacy in the House of Representatives, a letter from Theodore Kohlhass notifying Smith of his intention to seek a position as Principal Clerk in the House of Representatives, and an essay titled
The first transcribed letter: R. F. Bowdfish letter to Del (?) dated 1861 April 28. The second transcribed letter: Linnie (?) letter to brother undated.
A note explaining that the book cover and the title also included in this folder were taken from the home of Honorable Bailie Peyton in Jackson, MS on May 14 1863. This home had been used as a Head Quarters during the war and this was the only thing he ever stole during the war.
John M. Harlan's letter recommending Smith for candidacy for the House of Representatives.
Kohlhass writes to notify Smith of his intention to seek a position as a Principal Clerk in the House of Representatives.
An oath, envelopes, fragments, photocopies and reproductions, a war bond, newspapers and newspaper clippings, and muster rolls comprise the Assorted papers series. The series is organized by name and form.
Notable items include the oath of allegiance by Becca Thomas, a Confederate States of America bond for $100, one photocopied survey made by New York State on Prisoners of War, a photocopied letter to Major General G. J. Beaureguard, and three photocopied letters written by soldiers to family and friends. The photo reproductions consist of photocopies of the pictures included in the Asaph Clark papers of Clark and an unidentified woman and another reproduction of a drawing of Major Robert Anderson. The newspapers were published during the Civil War. The muster rolls pertain to a Kentucky Company (Union) from 1862-1864.