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 from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated November 8, 1864

Robert Patterson
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.
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.
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.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his brother Stephen dated August 30, 1864

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his brother Stephen on August 30, 1864 from the campaign front in Atlanta, Georgia. He writes about the battle for Atlanta, the living conditions, and personal affairs back home.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated August 26, 1864

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia on August 26, 1864, letting her know that his discharge from the army is being postponed and that he may remain in the Army two more years.
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.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on August 20, 1864

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on August 20, 1864. In the letter he tells her he expects to be mustered out of service and heading for home on October 7th.
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.
Letter to William Patterson from his cousin, Charley A. Brown, dated August 14, 1864

Charley A. Brown

This letter was written to William Patterson by his younger cousin Charley A. Brown, on August 14, 1864. In the letter the boy describes hunting for fish and game.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on August 10, 1864

William Patterson

This letter was sent from William Patterson to his mother Julia on August 10, 1864. In the note he asks his mother to make a payment for him, and says he will be going to join his company soon and will arrive home sometime after October 7th.
Letter from John Patterson to his brother Stephen on August 9, 1864

John H. Patterson

John Patterson wrote this letter to his brother Stephen on August 9, 1864. In the letter he tells his brother about an incident that occurred as he was escorting a prisoner.
Letter from Rachel Reynolds to William Patterson dated August 8, 1864

Rachel Reynolds

Rachel Reynolds wrote this letter to her sister Julia Patterson on August 8, 1864. In the letter Rachel sends regrets that she is unable to come to her sister's to help her while Frank Patterson is sick with typhoid. Rachel gives Julia some advice in the letter for how to best care for Frank.
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.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on August 7, 1864

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on August 7, 1864. In the letter he says he is sitting on a court martial trial in Nashville. He says his company will be mustered out of service soon and he reflects on what he might like to do once he leaves the Army.
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 to Eliza from an unidentified person, dated August 2, 1864

Unknown

This note was written to Eliza on August 2, 1864 by an unidentified author, to say her letter had been received and that brother Frank was quite ill with "lung fever." The author is unknown but the origin of the letter was The Rubicon, family home of the Pattersons.
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.
Letter from John Patterson to his mother Julia July 26th, 1864

John H. Patterson

John Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on July 26, 1864. In the letter he mainly talks about daily life at his station and family friends.
Letter from William to his mother Julia written July 24, 1864

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on July 24, 1864. In the letter he tells her he has been assigned to sit on a court martial hearing and will be staying in Nashville until the hearing is finished.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated July 16, 1864

William Patterson

This letter was written by William Patterson to his mother Julia on July 16, 1864. William writes from the Officer's Hospital in Nashville to say that he is still not well enough to return to duty.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated July 13, 1864

William Patterson

This letter was written by William Patterson to his mother Julia on July 13, 1864. William writes to tell his mother he is still recuperating in the Officer's Hospital but should soon be well enough to return to duty.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated July 10, 1864

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on July 10, 1864. He writes to her from the banks of the Chattahoochee River and says Atlanta is within sight. He talks about daily operations and the coming battle for Atlanta.
Letter from William to his mother Julia on July 8, 1864

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this note to his mother Julia on July 8, 1864. He discusses his injury and other personal affairs in the letter.