Civil War Collections

2011-2015 marks the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the American Civil War. To commemorate this event the Special Collections and Archives of Wright State University has gathered materials related to the Civil War from several of its collections. This series contains many letters, diaries, and other ephemera from Ohio natives. The authors of these letters and diaries served the Union Army and often wrote about daily life in the camps, fighting, and more. Though these materials often include factual information such as accounts of the weather, ledgers, and other lists, a closer inspection will often reveal content of a more personal nature.

The Civil War Collections includes materials from the following series:

James F. Overholser Papers (MS-5)

Oscar D. Ladley Papers (MS-138)

Patterson Family Papers (MS-236)

Wallace Family Papers (MS-92)

For more information on these collections, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

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

Letter, 1862 August 4, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from camp near Sperryville, Virginia. In this letter Oscar writes about drills with his brigade and division, about attempting to get a commission, seeing his father's old home in Woodstock, and more.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson on August 2, 1862

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson writes to his father Jefferson on August 2, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville. Robert expresses dissatisfaction with his regiment and tells his father he has mailed a letter of recommendation given him and hopes to receive an appointment in another regiment. He also mentions a letter published in the Cincinnati Gazette which made disparaging remarks about the Union soldiers.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, July 31, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, July 31, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs and recent movements with his regiment near Wartrace, TN.
Letter, 1862 July 27, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Sperryville, Virginia. In this letter Oscar writes about the possibility of family friends helping him get a commission in a new regiment, meeting Aunt Eliza, and more.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on July 24, 1862

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father, Jefferson Patterson, on July 24, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville, Virginia. In the letter he writes about infantry, cavalry and artillery being on the move and complains about Colonel Schliech and his method of appointing officers based on personal acquaintance and friendship rather than competence. He closes by saying they will be heading to Culpepper soon.
Letter written to Julia Patterson from her niece, Lilly, on July 20, 1862

Lilly

This letter was written to Julia Patterson by her niece, Lilly, on July 20, 1862. In the letter she discusses their recent visit with family and friends in Cincinnati and Louisville, and their return home to Paducah.
Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on July 17, 1862

Stephen Patterson

This letter was written by Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on July 17, 1862. He mentions good health and satisfaction with his present location. He also mentions several times in the letter his wish to have a commission in his Uncle Charlie's regiment.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on July 16, 1862

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father, Jefferson Patterson, on July 16, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville, Virginia. In the letter he writes about the shortage of food rations and reports of large Rebel forces in Richmond and Gordonsville.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, July 5, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, July 5, 1862. In the letter he talks about the movement to the new camp in Decatur, AL and a detail that he was in command.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, July 3, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, July 3, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs and the march to the current camp in Decatur, AL.
Letter from Stephen Patterson to his brother John written June 24, 1862

Stephen Patterson

Stephen Patterson wrote this letter to his brother John on June 24, 1862. In the letter he talks about enjoying the Clarksburg area, the scenery and the townspeople. He describes light soldierly duties and a party given by a prominent citizen from town.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, June 17, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, June 17, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs and the march to the his current camp in Tuscumbia, AL.
Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on June 16, 1862

Stephen Patterson

Stephen Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on June 16, 1862. In the letter he describes good health and clothing needs, and mentions that they have received orders to march to Cumberland.
Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia, written in 1862

Stephen Patterson

Stephen Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia from Camp Chase on June 15, 1862. In the letter he discusses daily affairs and some personal needs.
Letter written from Jennie Price to her aunt Julia Patterson dated June 5, 1862

Jennie Price

This letter was written by Jennie Price to her aunt Julia Patterson on June 5, 1862. In the letter she talks about the secessionist views of their cousin, Ellen Searles.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, June 1, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Corinth, MS, to his cousin Martha McKinney, June 1, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal matters and a future move to a new camp.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, May 24, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, May 24, 1862. In the letter he talks about the area near Corinth, Mississippi where they are camped and the current skirmishes that they have had with the Confederate Army.
Letter, 1862 May 24, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Camp at Franklin. Oscar writes about sending home a receipt for $40.00, being fed half rations due to an attack on their supplies, fighting in a skirmish, and more.

The additional postscript is believed to have been a part of this letter but was labeled April 23, 1862.
Letter, 1862 May 13, C. Ladley to My Dear Boy [Oscar D. Ladley]

Catherine Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She writes about feeling apprehensive about Oscar's safety after reading an account of a recent battle, rumors about the war, and more.
Letter, 1862 May 12, Oscar Ladley to [No salutation]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter from Oscar Ladley from camp at Franklin. Oscar writes about how many men were wounded in the last fight, and how the "Yellow Springs boys are safe".
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, May 6, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, May 6, 1862. In the letter he talks about a recent troop movement to Mississippi and the surrounding country where they are camped.
Letter, 1862 May 6, Oscar Ladley to [No salutation]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter from Oscar Ladley from camp at the foot of the Shenandoah Mountains. Oscar writes about breaking camp, describes General Milroy, and more.
Letter, 1862 May 5, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Camp Reily. Oscar writes about conditions in the camp, the health of his regiment, and he asks about friends and family at home.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, April 24, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, April 24, 1862. In the letter he talks about the recent battle at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee and other news from the front.