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)
For more information on these collections, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
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![Letter, 1863 April 9, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1092/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 April 9, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1863 April 9, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley]
Catherine Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes about Alice starting school at Antioch, their previous boarders not returning this term, and more.
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Letter from Rachel Reynolds to William Patterson dated April 5, 1863
Rachel Reynolds
This letter was written to William Patterson from his aunt, Rachel Reynolds on April 5, 1863. In the letter she sends him her condolences on the recent death of his father, Jefferson Patterson.
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![Letter, 1863 March 27, Mary [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1090/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 27, Mary [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 27, Mary [Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Mary Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mary writes about the school term ending, repairing the college gates so they can't be removed, and other news from home.
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![Combined Letters, 1863 March 27, Alley and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1091/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 March 27, Alley and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 March 27, Alley and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Son [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his mother and sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about the weather, news about deserters being allowed to report to Camp Chase by April, and other news from home. Catherine writes about offering to pay the value of the loan co-signed by Derostus Ladley, how much money she has saved, and more.
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Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, March 22, 1863
William M. McKinney
This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Murfreesboro, to his cousin Martha McKinney, March 22, 1863. In the letter he talks about personal affairs and a recent attack while riding on a train.
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![Letter, 1863 March 21, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1089/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 21, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 21, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about the photographs he sent home, the shifts in command that allowed him to take the position of 1st lieutenant, the weather, and more.
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![Combined Letters, 1863 March 18, Alley L. and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Son and Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1086/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 March 18, Alley L. and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Son and Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 March 18, Alley L. and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Son and Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his mother and sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about the pictures Oscar sent and how popular they are, a lecture she attended, and more. Catherine writes about the photographs Oscar sent home, that the signature on the loan matches Derostus Ladley's signature, and other news.
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![Letter, [1863 March 18], Mary [Mary Ladley] to Chere frere [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1087/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, [1863 March 18], Mary [Mary Ladley] to Chere frere [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, [1863 March 18], Mary [Mary Ladley] to Chere frere [Oscar D. Ladley]
Mary Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister. Mary writes her thoughts about photographs of Oscar that he recently sent home.
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![Letter, 1863 March 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1088/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about a building a corduroy road, the possibility of him visiting home, and other news.
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Letter from J.D. Sharp to Stephen Patterson, dated March 18, 1863
J. D. Sharp
This brief letter was written by a friend, J.D. Sharp, to Stephen Patterson on March 18, 1863. Sharp writes about how busy his post is when freight comes through and talks about mutual friends back home.
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![Letter, 1863 March 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1085/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes that he has enclosed four photos with this letter, his regiments location in relation to Washington, and other news.
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Letter from John H. Patterson to a brother, dated March 11, 1863
John H. Patterson
John Patterson wrote this letter on March 11, 1863 to his brother. In the letter he talks mostly about news of family and friends. The stationary bears the seal of Miami University.
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![Combined Letters, 1863 March 8, Allie and Mother [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Oscar Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1084/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 March 8, Allie and Mother [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Oscar Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 March 8, Allie and Mother [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Oscar Son [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his mother and sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about her thoughts on local men that she wishes would be drafted, a prank some students played on a professor, and more. Catherine writes about the status of the loan and co-signed by Derostus Ladley.
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![Letter, 1863 March 8, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1083/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 8, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 8, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Mary Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mary writes about news from home, questions regarding mutual acquaintances, and more.
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Letter from J.D. Sharp to Stephen Patterson, dated March 6, 1863
J. D. Sharp
This letter was written by J.D. Sharp on March 6, 1863 to Stephen Patterson. In the letter he talks about his new post in Nashville and includes details about daily life.
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![Letter, 1863 March 4, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Oscar [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1082/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 4, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Oscar [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 4, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Oscar [Oscar D. Ladley]
Catherine Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine asks about Oscar's recent trip to Washington and his health. She also writes about the status of the loan co-signed by Derostus Ladley and other news from home.
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Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, March 3, 1863
William M. McKinney
This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Murfreesboro, TN, to his cousin Martha McKinney, December 22, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs.
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![Letter, 1863 March 2, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1081/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 March 2, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 March 2, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about how he was promoted to 1st lieutenant, news about soldier "Jimmy" Beaty, and more.
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![Letter, 1863 February 27, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1080/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 February 27, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 February 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 Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about visiting various places in "Washington City" and other news. He only mentions that he has not been told the amount of the principal or interest from the loan Derostus Ladley co-signed and that he saw Abraham Lincoln while in the city.
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![Combined Letters, 1863 February 22, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother and Mon cher frère [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1079/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 February 22, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother and Mon cher frère [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 February 22, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother and Mon cher frère [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his sisters in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about attending a "supper for the benefit of the [s]oldiers," wanting to visit a camp, and more. In her letter, Mary asks about why there are two 1st Lieutenants in Oscar's company, her thoughts on her professors, and news from home.
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![Letter, 186[3] February 22, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1078/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 186[3] February 22, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 186[3] February 22, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley]
Catherine Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes about her arm healing slowly, visiting "Camp Dennison," and more news about the loan that Derostus Ladley co-signed. This letter is dated February 22, 1862, but it is believed to have been written in 1863.
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![Letter, 1863 February 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1077/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 February 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 February 13, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about his advice concerning the loan that Derostus Ladley co-signed, answering questions from Mary and Alice, the cook that they have recently taken into their camp, and more.
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![Letter, 1863 February 9, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1076/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 February 9, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 February 9, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Brooks Station, Virginia. Oscar writes about the possibility of taking furlough, asking if she can transfer their property into Oscar's name to protect from being taken, and his thoughts on General Hooker's leadership.
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![Combined Letters, 1863 February 8, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1074/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 February 8, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 February 8, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his sisters in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about the weather, a professor from Antioch dying, and other news from home. Mary writes about the recent snow, wanting a picture of Oscar, and other news from home.
