Ladley was a career army officer who fought in the Civil War with Company G, 75th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was later assigned to Fort Sully in the Dakota Territories. His papers consist primarily of letters written to his mother and sisters in Yellow Springs, Ohio, telling of his Civil War experiences, and later, his life as a frontier army officer. Also included are some Civil War military records.
For more information on this collection, please view the collection finding aid or visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
For additional materials related to the Civil War, please view our Civil War series which collects materials from all series during that period.
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Hearth and Knapsack: The Ladley Letters, 1857-1880
Carl M. Becker and Ritchie Thomas
While primarily a collection of the transcribed Ladley Letters, this book also contains notes, references, and added context to fully understand the letters from the perspective of the place and time they were written. This book also includes photos, a glossary of soldiers and civilians mentioned in the letters, the chronology of the Ladley family, the organization of the Union Army, a list of Principal Commands and engagements of the Seventy-Fifth Regiment, and a roster of field, staff, officers, and Company G of the Seventy-Fifth Regiment.
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Letter, 1865 February 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Sister
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's sister from Yellow Springs, Ohio. Oscar writes that he arrived last night, but that he can't visit his sister in "Campbellstown." He promises to meet her in Dayton on the 14th.
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Letter, 1865 January 15, Oscar D. Ladley to Sister
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Captain Thomas J. Robinson from Oscar D. Ladley in Jacksonville Florida. Oscar writes to request that Private Rufus P. Miller from Company E of the 75th Ohio Volunteers be released from his arrest on the grounds that he has served his time.
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![Letter, 1864 December 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1154/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 December 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 December 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Hilton Head, South Carolina. Oscar writes that they arrived on a steamer the prior day, that the men from his regiment are mistaken for being a part of General Sherman's men because of their rough appearance, and wishes his family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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![Letter, 1864 December 15, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1153/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 December 15, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 December 15, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Pocotaligo, South Carolina. In his letter Oscar writes about being on the front, hearing heavy firing from General Sherman in Savannah, and other news about the war.
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![Letter, 1864 October 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1152/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 October 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 October 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from St. Augustine, Florida. Oscar writes to encourage his family to use the money he mailed to them, that he must stay with his company until the it has served for three years, and more about horses and the two companies he is commanding.
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![Letter, 1864 September 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1151/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 September 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 September 28, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from St. Augustine, Florida. In this letter Oscar writes about capturing wild horses and ponies and discusses the possibility of officer having to remain in the service for a set period of time.
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![Letter, 1864 September 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1150/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 September 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 September 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's to his mother and sisters from St. Augustine, Florida. Oscar writes about mailing money home, news about acquaintances, and other questions. Oscar also mentions that men are being discharged through December and that if he gets out, he will return home in January.
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![Letter, 1864 August 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1149/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 August 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 August 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from St. Augustine, Florida. Oscar writes about a battle fought by his regiment, which resulted in several casualties. He closes his letter saying that he is feeling better and intends to report for duty soon.
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![Letter, 1864 August 18, C. Shellabarger to Sister Ladley [Catherine Ladley] by C. Shellabarger](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1158/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 August 18, C. Shellabarger to Sister Ladley [Catherine Ladley] by C. Shellabarger")
Letter, 1864 August 18, C. Shellabarger to Sister Ladley [Catherine Ladley]
C. Shellabarger
Letter to Catherine Ladley from C. Shellabarger in Covington, Ohio. In this letter C. Shellabarger writes to ask Catherine about how lots are selling locally. She also writes about her three sons, commiserates with Catherine about the difficulty of sending sons to war, and more.
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![Letter, 1864 August 8, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1148/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 August 8, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 August 8, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from a convalescent hospital in St. Augustine, Florida. Oscar writes about being sick in the hospital, the local crops, news about his and other regiments, and more.
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![Letter, 1864 June 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1147/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1864 June 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1864 June 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from St. Augustine, Florida. Oscar writes about contracting "Swamp Fever," raids in Maryland and Florida, and more.
