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 May 11, 1864

Robert Patterson
Letter, 1864 May 10, 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 his letter Oscar writes about marching south from Jacksonville with orders to "capture anything belonging to rebels." He writes also writes about capturing several vessels and marching cattle through miles of swamp.
Letter to Stephen Patterson from a friend, Harrison, on April 25, 1864

Harrison

This letter was written to Stephen Patterson by a friend, Harrison, on April 25, 1864. The friend is inquiring about vacancies in the Lowe's regiment.
Letter, 1864 April 25, 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 "opposite Jacksonville." Oscar writes that he has not heard from his family in two weeks and that he will soon leave on an expedition to go south, past St. Augustine.
Letter to Stephen Patterson from a friend, Harrison, on April 22, 1864

Harrison

This letter was written to Stephen Patterson by a friend, Harrison, on April 22, 1864. The friend is talking about personal affairs and how Stephen can help him.
Letter, 1864 April 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 Jacksonville, Florida. Oscar writes about money he sent to his family previously, as well as detailing a fight with Southern forces.
Letter, 1864 March 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 Jacksonville, Florida. Oscar writes about seeing a general arrive that may replace General Seymour, his opinion on honors conferred on General Grant, and other news.
Letter, 1864 March 20, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Jacksonville, Florida. In his letter Oscar writes about being busy on picket duty, news men re-enlisting, his regiments reputation, and more.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated March 18, 1864

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia on March 18, 1864. In the letter Robert tells her of his arrival at Camp Dennison and says he will come home as soon as he can.
Letter, 1864 March 14, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Jacksonville, Florida. In his letter Oscar recounts previous letters he has sent home, that they still "stand to arms" in anticipation of attack, and other news.
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.
Letter, 1864 March 7, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Jacksonville, Florida. In his letter Oscar writes about why Northern forces were not attacking Charleston with gunboats, the weather, and other news about the war.
Letter, 1864 February 26, Ally [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Alice Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In her letter Alice mentions that his recent letter was incorrectly sent to Sandusky and that Mary is attending a concert.
Letter, 1864 February 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Sister [Mary Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's sister from Folly Island, South Carolina. Oscar writes about his thoughts and feelings about a young woman in Yellow Springs who was recently engaged.
Letter, 1864 February 6, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Folly Island, South Carolina. In his letter Oscar details leading a detail of men to build a causeway between Coles Isle and Horseshoe Isle.
Letter and letter fragment, 1864 February, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscars Ladley's mother an sisters from Folly Island, South Carolina. Oscar writes about marching to St. James island and a skirmish that happened at a plantation there. This also includes a fragment of a letter where Oscar details his thoughts on drafting men for the war, asking his sister, Mary, who she is planning to marry in July, and other news from camp.
Letter, 186[4] January 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Folly Island, South Carolina.
Letter to Stephen Patterson from George Jones from 1864

George Jones

This brief note was sent to Stephen Patterson from George Jones. In the note he inquires about a mutual acquaintance.
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 from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated December 17, 1863

Robert Patterson

This letter was written by Robert Patterson to his mother Julia on December 17, 1863. Robert writes from his brother William's quarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In the letter he refers to a recent battle and a long march and he asks her to send clothing and boots.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on December 6, 1863

William Patterson

This letter was written by William Patterson to his mother Julia on December 8, 1863. In the letter, he talks about clothing needs and a recent battle in which his company was involved.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated December 6, 1863

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on December 6, 1863. In the brief letter he asks her to send clothing, and says he expects his company will soon be moved from Chattanooga to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Letter, 1863 December 1, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from New York City. In his letter Oscar writes about visiting New York City and seeing museums, parks, and more.
Letter, 1863 November 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Columbus, Ohio. Oscar writes about sending money to his mother to deposit in the bank.

Civil War Collections

Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated May 11, 1864

Letter, 1864 May 10, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter to Stephen Patterson from a friend, Harrison, on April 25, 1864

Letter, 1864 April 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter to Stephen Patterson from a friend, Harrison, on April 22, 1864

Letter, 1864 April 4, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 1864 March 27, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 1864 March 20, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated March 18, 1864

Letter, 1864 March 14, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 1864 March 9, William A. Burns to Brother and Sister [James C. and Mary Burns]

Letter, 1864 March 7, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 1864 February 26, Ally [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Letter, 1864 February 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Sister [Mary Ladley]

Letter, 1864 February 6, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter and letter fragment, 1864 February, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 186[4] January 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter to Stephen Patterson from George Jones from 1864

Diary of James F. Overholser, January through October 1864 and January 1865

Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated December 17, 1863

Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on December 6, 1863

Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated December 6, 1863

Letter, 1863 December 1, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Letter, 1863 November 25, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

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