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.
-
![Letter, 1863 February 8, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1075/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 February 8, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1863 February 8, 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 improving, her concern over the loan co-signed by Derostus Ladley, and more.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1073/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 31, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother [Catherine Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother from Belle Plain, Virginia. Oscar writes about "rough" weather they have been having, having to change campgrounds multiple times, and more.
-
![Combined Letters, 1863 January 28, Allie 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_ms138/1072/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1863 January 28, Allie and C. Ladley [Alice and Catherine Ladley] to Brother and Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Catherine Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1863 January 28, Allie 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 sister and mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In her letter, Alice apologizes about not writing more frequently, she shares the names of the two new boarders, and news about Milo Lawrence. Catherine writes about a loan that was co-signed by Derostus Ladley. She writes about how she doesn't know how she will pay the debt and interest if it is proven that Derostus did co-sign the loan.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 28, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1071/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 28, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 28, 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 the two new boarders they have taken on, news about Antioch, and Milo Lawrence's broken leg that needed to be reset.
-
Letter, 1863 January 23, Oscar D. Ladley to Folks at Home
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's family from Belle Plain, Virginia. Oscar writes about marching from Stafford C.H. to Bell [sic] Plain Landing, getting a promotion, and questions about home. He also writes about a new "contraband cook," Rufus, that joined his regiment.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 21, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1069/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 21, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 21, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar Ladley]
Catherine Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes about suffering from straining her arm, the recent snowstorm, and more
-
![Letter, 1863 January 16, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1067/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 16, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 16, 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 an accident that may have broken their mother's hand, a snow storm, news from home, and more.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 16, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1068/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 16, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 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 Stafford, Virginia. Oscar writes about not wanting to have to march as they are "fixed very comfortably" in their current camp. He also mentions that if his family gets a copy of the Daily Gazette they will see that he was recently promoted.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1066/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 11, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley]
Oscar D. Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Stafford C.H., Virginia. Oscar writes about the type of tent he sleeps in, justification for Colonel Tulleys being a strict officer, and he encourages both sisters to continue attending Antioch.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 4, Alley [Alice Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1065/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 4, Alley [Alice Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 4, Alley [Alice Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Alice Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his sister in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Alice writes about news of the war, Mary receiving a certificate to be a teacher, and thieves attempting to steal their gate on New Years Eve.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 4, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1063/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 4, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 4, 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 news of the war, the cost of tuition for both of Oscar's sisters at Antioch, and other news from home.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 4, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1064/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 4, Mary [Mary Ladley] to My Dear Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 4, 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 to thank Oscar for paying her tuition, about Lysander Tulley presiding over court martials, about receiving a certificate to be a "school marm [sic]" and other news from home.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 4, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1062/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 4, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1863 January 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 Stafford C.H., Virginia. Oscar writes about sending a "carte de visite" of his "superior," his meal on Christmas, how the regiments march, and more.
-
![Letter, 1863 January 30, William A. Burns to Brother and Sister [James C. and Mary Burns] by William A. Burns](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms5/1009/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1863 January 30, William A. Burns to Brother and Sister [James C. and Mary Burns] by William A. Burns")
Letter, 1863 January 30, 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 Camp at Corinth, Mississippi.
-
Diary of James F. Overholser, April through December 1863
James F. Overholser
This diary from James F. Overholser contains entries dated April through December of 1863. Many of the entries in this diary are short and relate to various aspects of camp life as well as the weather. This diary includes a "List of clothing drawn the third year of enlisting beginning Sep. 1864," dated September-November 1864.
-
![Letter, 1862 December 28, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1061/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1862 December 28, C. Ladley [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1862 December 28, 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 concern for Oscar for all the hardships he has endured that winter, news from home, and advice to offer the men "under" Oscar "courtesy and kindness."
-
![Combined Letters, 1862 December 24, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1060/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1862 December 24, Allie and Mary [Alice and Mary Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Alice Ladley and Mary Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1862 December 24, 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 asks Oscar about his recent march from Fredericksburg, gives him news from home, and more. Mary writes about acquaintances at home and missing Oscar on Christmas.
-
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, December 22, 1862
William M. McKinney
This letter was written by William M. McKinney, while in Nashville, TN, to his cousin Martha McKinney, December 22, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs.
-
![Letter, 1862 December 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1059/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1862 December 22, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1862 December 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 Stafford, Virginia. Oscar writes about conditions in camp, his thoughts on news about the war, prices the officers pay for their food, and more.
-
![Letter, 1862 December 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1058/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1862 December 18, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1862 December 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 Stafford, Virginia. Oscar details the conditions and their march from Chantilly to Stafford. He also mentions soldiers being upset with Major General Burnsides' tactics in a recent skirmish.
-
![Letter, 1862 December 14, C. L. [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1057/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1862 December 14, C. L. [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley] by Catherine Ladley")
Letter, 1862 December 14, C. L. [Catherine Ladley] to Son [Oscar D. Ladley]
Catherine Ladley
Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In her letter, she thanks him for sending a piece of a flag that he had carried, news from the war, and information about demand notes that Oscar has sent her.
-
![Combined Letters, 1862 December 14, Mary and Allie [Mary and Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley and Alice Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1056/thumbnail.jpg "Combined Letters, 1862 December 14, Mary and Allie [Mary and Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley] by Mary Ladley and Alice Ladley")
Combined Letters, 1862 December 14, Mary and Allie [Mary and Alice Ladley] to Brother [Oscar D. Ladley]
Mary Ladley and Alice Ladley
Two separate letters, written on the same page, to Oscar Ladley from his sisters in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mary writes about wanting to teach next spring, other gentleman that have asked to correspond with her, and other news from home. Alice writes about news from home and weather.
-
Letter from William McKinney to His Cousin Martha McKinney, December 12, 1862
William M. McKinney
This letter was written by William M. McKinney to his cousin Martha McKinney, December 12, 1862. In the letter he talks about personal affairs and recent battles that they were in near Nashville, Tennessee.
-
![Letter, 1862 December 8, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley](https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms138/1055/thumbnail.jpg "Letter, 1862 December 8, Oscar D. Ladley to Mother and Sisters [Catherine, Mary, and Alice Ladley] by Oscar D. Ladley")
Letter, 1862 December 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 Chantilly, Virginia. Oscar writes about the cold weather, details on leaves of absence from General Order No. 45, and more. He also encloses an attached list of Major General Sigel's staff with this letter.
