James F. Overholser Papers (MS-5)

Papers include a diary and letters which recount the personal experiences of Civil War Private Overholser who served with General Sherman on his March to the Sea. Overholser enlisted with Company D, 81st Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

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.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Diary of James F. Overholser, January through August 1862

James F. Overholser

This diary of James F. Overholser contains entries dated January through August of 1862. Many of the entries in this diary are short notes about the weather. This diary also includes work account notes dated from September through December of 1861 and 1868-1869. Many entries in the work account portion are comprised of a variety of lists.
Letter, 1863 January 30, William A. Burns to Brother and Sister [James C. and Mary Burns]

William A. Burns

Letter from William A. Burns to his brother and sister, James C. and Mary Burns, from Camp at Corinth, Mississippi.
Diary of James F. Overholser, April through December 1863

James F. Overholser

This diary from James F. Overholser contains entries dated April through December of 1863. Many of the entries in this diary are short and relate to various aspects of camp life as well as the weather. This diary includes a "List of clothing drawn the third year of enlisting beginning Sep. 1864," dated September-November 1864.
Letter, 1864 March 9, William A. Burns to Brother and Sister [James C. and Mary Burns]

William A. Burns

Letter from William A. Burns to his brother and sister, James C. and Mary Burns, from Sams Mills, Tennessee.
Diary of James F. Overholser, January through October 1864 and January 1865

James F. Overholser

This diary of James F. Overholser contains entries dated from January through October 1864 and January 1865. Many of the entries in this diary are short and relate to various aspects of camp life, the weather, and information about the battles and skirmishes that Overholser witnessed.
Letter, 1864 August 4, James F. Overholser to Aunt [Mary Burns]

James F. Overholser

Letter from James F. Overholser to his aunt, Mary Burns, from the Chattahoochee River Geo.
Letter, 1864 May 18, James F. Overholser to Aunt and Uncle [Mary and Crib Burns]

James F. Overholser

Letter from James F. Overholser to his aunt and uncle, Mary and Crib Burns from Field Hospital near [Resaca] Georgia.
Diary of James F. Overholser, January through March 1865

James F. Overholser

This diary of James F. Overholser contains entries dated from January through March of 1865. This diary includes work account notes from 1866, as well as notes in the back regarding Atlanta. Also located in the back pocket of the diary is a musical score of the song "Dixie's Land" and typed testimonials advertising "Piso's Cure for Consumption."
Diary of James F. Overholser, March through June 1865

James F. Overholser

This diary of James F. Overholser contains entries dated from March through June of 1865. This diary also includes work account and finance notes from August of 1865 through September of 1866.
Just before the Battle, Mother [Lyrics]

James F. Overholser

Handwritten copy of lyrics of "Just before the Battle, Mother" composed by James F. Overholser while in camp near "Poctalago" Station, South Carolina. These lyrics were most likely extracted from a letter.
Letter, 1865 April 23, James Overholser to Aunt and Uncle [Mary and Crib Burns]

James F. Overholser

Letter from James F. Overholser to his aunt and uncle, Mary and Crib Burns from "Camp two miles from Raleigh, N.C."
Extracts from a diary of a Private Soldier in the War of the Rebellion

James F. Overholser

Eighty-eight page manuscript written by James F. Overholser, originally titled, "Extracts from a diary of a Private Soldier in the War of the Rebellion in 1861 to 1865." These "extracts" contain autobiographical information as well as accounts of Overholser's experiences during the war.
Map of a battlefield

James F. Overholser

Map of a battlefield, drawn by James F. Overholser. This map was most likely extracted from a letter.
Typed transcript of closing account of James F. Overholser

James F. Overholser

Typed transcript of closing account of James F. Overholser Civil War Manuscript. This manuscript includes an autobiographical account of Overholser's life and family after the Civil War.