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, 1863 November 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Columbus, Ohio. In the letter Oscar writes about missing a train in London and possibly visiting family soon.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia on November 8, 1863

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on November 8, 1863. The letter is a detailed description of a battle which took place in Lookout Valley, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Also included with the letter is a hand-drawn map of the area in which the battle took place.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia on October 4, 1863

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on October 4, 1863 from Bridgeport, Alabama. In the letter he talks about troop movements, railroad targets, and about a distant relative he has met, Goodlett Adams. He also talks about the welcome the troops received at the train depot in Xenia, Ohio as they passed through.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother or father dated October, 1863

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this letter to one of his parents in October, 1863. In the letter he complains of a lack of administrative ability on the part of General Rosencrans which has led to great suffering of the troops. He also talks of personal affairs and needs.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated September 21, 1863

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this note to his mother Julia from the battlefield on September 21, 1863. In the letter he talks about the battle and names some of the men that were wounded or killed.
Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated September 8, 1863

Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia on September 8, 1863 to let her know he was rejoining his regiment in Catletts Station, Virginia and would not be able to come home for a visit.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on September 6, 1863

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his parents while marching across Lookout Mountain on September 6, 1863. He talks about the difficulties of moving artillery up and down the mountains and says the mountains are full of deserters from the Rebel army.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, August 5, 1863

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Newton, IN, to his cousin Martha McKinney, August 5, 1863. In the letter, he talks about personal affairs and his illness while.
Letter, 1863 July 27, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley]

Catherine Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes that she and his sisters have been sending letters regularly, news of Morgan's Raid, and more.
Letter, 1863 July 27, Ally [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Alice Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about news of wounded soldiers and acquaintances from home.
Letter, 1863 July 27, Mary [Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Mary Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mary writes about potential employment at a school that will be built and about other news.
Letter, 1863 July 19, Allie [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Alice Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes a short letter about news of Morgan's Raid and more.
Letter, 1863 July 19, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley]

Catherine Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes that she is glad Oscar is unhurt after his most recent battle, about news and excitement from Morgan's Raid, and other news.
Letter, 1863 July 19, Mary [Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Mary Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mary comments on Oscar's recent battle, asks when he will get to take a furlough, writes news about Morgan's Raid, and more.
Letter, 1863 July 16, 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 Berlin, Maryland. Oscar writes about his division being the first to enter Hagerstown, their division movements after Gettysburg, casualties, and more.
Letter, 1863 July 13, C. Ladley to My Dear Son [Oscar D. Ladley]

Catherine Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes about news from the battle at Gettysburg, her hopes that Oscar is safe, and other news.
Combined Letters, 1863 July 12 and July 18, Ally Ladley [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]

Alice Ladley

Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about news from home about various acquaintances, and about being unsure whether to write to Oscar after the most recent battle. Her second letter mentions "Morgan is within 5 miles of Cincinnati" and she writes about the excitement as all the "able-bodied men" leave to head to Cincinnati.
Letter, 1863 July 9, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Boonsboro, Maryland. Oscar writes about fighting for four days at Gettysburg, the Ohio Brigade's success, and the casualties suffered by his brigade.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia, dated July 6, 1863

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on July 6, 1863 from Tullahoma near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In the letter he talks about a significant battle victory of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, camp conditions, illness, and bad weather.
Letter, [1863] July 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 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Oscar writes about the fighting he experienced, nearly being killed by a Rebel officer, and the losses at the Gettysburg battlefield.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, July 5, 1863

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, July 5, 1863. In the letter, written from Liberty, IN, he talks about personal affairs and his illness.
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, June 24, 1863

William M. McKinney

This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, June 24, 1863. In the letter, written from Newton, IN, he talks about personal affairs and his illness.
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated June 22, 1863

William Patterson

William Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia on June 22, 1863. In the letter he mentions a recent illness and says they expect a battle to take place soon and believes that it will be difficult.
Letter, 1863 June 15, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]

Oscar D. Ladley

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Centerville, Virginia. Oscar writes about his division marching to new locations, the appearance of their officers' uniforms, and other news.