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 from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, January 28, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, January 28, 1862. In the letter he talks about his personal affairs at Camp Wickliffe in Kentucky.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, January 26, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, January 26, 1862. In the letter he talks about his recent travels and life at Camp Wickliffe in Kentucky.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, January 16, 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Murfreesboro, TN, to his cousin Martha McKinney, January 16, 1862. In the letter he talks about the difficulties of a recent expedition that he was sent on over three days.
Letter, 186[2] [January] 14, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from camp. Oscar writes that he is unsure as to whether he will be home soon or not. This letter is listed as being written in 1861, but it is believed to have been written in January of 1862.
Letter, 186[2] January 10, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar's mother and sisters from Camp John McLean. In his letter Oscar relates three recent events from camp: A fight between a sergeant and a tavern landlord, his first lieutenant not remembering the command to halt his company on a march, and arresting three men for insulting ladies in town.

This letter is dated 1861, but it is believed to have been written in January of 1862.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life in Tennessee and family concerns.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter he informs his cousin that he received her letter and that he will write more soon. McKinney is writing from Tennessee.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at the camp in Tennessee and the news he has heard from home.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter, written while in Huttonsville, WV, he talks about an expedition that he commanded and events back home. The complete letter is a combination of files MS-92_9_4_10 and MS-92_9_5_02.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at the camp in Tennessee and a new acquaintance.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life in Tennessee where he is stationed.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at the camp in Tennessee where he is stationed.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at the camp and the surrounding area near Nashville, Tennessee and events back home.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at Camp Wickliffe, his family and friends.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin, Written on February 14, circa 1862

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney on February 14, circa 1862. In the letter he talks about daily life at Camp Glenbrook in Hart County, Kentucky and family concerns.
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 from an unknown writer to an unknown recipient, circa 1862

Unknown

This section of a letter was written by an unknown author to an unknown recipient, circa 1862. In the letter the author informs the recipient about events they are involved in at home.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on December 29, 1861

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother on December 29, 1861. In the letter he talks about illness among the troops at Camp Wood and the recent work of rebuilding a bridge.
Letter, 1861 December 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 Camp John McLean. Oscar writes about the consolidation of the 79th and 75th regiments and the conflicts between the two regiments. He mentions his friend, John Hawkins, writing to him about being dissatisfied with camp life. Oscar also writes about his first lieutenant, Franklin Raikes, asking him to "instruct him in the school of the Soldier."
Letter from Jefferson Patterson to his son Robert dated December 25, 1861

Jefferson Patterson

Jefferson Patterson wrote this long letter to his son Robert on December 25, 1861. In the letter he talks about a bridge over Bacon Creek that was burned by Rebel soldiers and subsequently rebuilt. He mentions there have been a number of recruits from Dayton including Pettigrew and Longstreth, and the great ranks of troops in Kentucky. He refers briefly to newspaper reports of Charles Anderson's escape from Texas and the Rebel troops destruction of the Northern Missouri railroad. He also talks about visiting cousins Lizza and Jennie Price.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on December 21, 1861

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father on December 21, 1861. In the letter he discusses his recent illness and camp conditions. He also mentions one of his company officers, Captain Young, who has recently resigned.
Letter, 1861 December 20, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Camp John McLean. Oscar writes about being promoted to second Sargent, James Swope losing the confidence of his men, and going to Cincinnati with friends.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson on December 15, 1861

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father on December 15, 1861. He writes from Rolla, Missouri and discusses his recent illness and camp conditions. He also talks about the officers and their leadership abilities.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, December 3, 1861

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Louisville, KY, to his cousin Martha McKinney, December 3, 1861. In the letter he talks about the difficulties with moving from one camp to another.