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.

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Letter, 1861 April 1, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Memphis. He describes the city as "a very beautiful place" and comments on the size of the house. In his letter Oscar compares the Mississippi River being "thick with mud boiling" to the Ohio River which he calls "smooth and placid."
Letter, 1861 March 14, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother, from Vincennes, Indiana. His letter mentions traveling through Indiana. Oscar writes that he was in Terre Haute the day before and "it is a very fine town larger than Dayton or Columbus."
Letter, 1861 March 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and his sisters from Camp Milroy. In the letter Oscar talks about the weather and the area that they are stationed in. Originally, he enclosed rings he made out of laurel root in the letter.
Letter, June 29, Catherine Ladley to Oscar [Oscar D. Ladley]

Catherine Ladley

Letter from Catherine Ladley to Oscar enclosing a "program of commencement exercises." In the letter Catherine advises her son to "bear up like a brave Soldier [sic]" and obey his orders, as well as to "take care of yourself…when on Picket Guard."
Letter, 1858 June 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Father [Derostus Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's father from Yellow Springs, Ohio. In the letter Oscar mentions a string of thefts in town and attending a "Sunday School Celebration" on the previous Tuesday.
Letter, 1857 December 2, Oscar D. Ladley to Sisters [Mary and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's sisters from Columbus, Ohio. Oscar writes about how glad he was to hear from them and that they liked the "Delaine". He also asks his sisters to write to him if there is anything they want.
Letter, 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. He writes about his health, about regiments being consolidated, and about camp life.