The Patterson Family Papers are an eclectic collection of financial and business records, family correspondence, scrapbooks, 19th-Century newspapers, family histories, and photographs which document three generations of Patterson and Johnston Family personal and business matters.
Of particular interest are letters to Julia Johnston Patterson from four of her sons who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. These letters have been digitized, transcribed and made available electronically in CORE Scholar.
For more information on this collection, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
For additional materials related to the Civil War, please view our Civil War series which collects materials from all series during that period.
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Letter from John Patterson to his mother Julia in July 1864
John H. Patterson
John Patterson wrote this letter to his mother in July, 1864. In the letter he tells her about a recent trip he made to Washington and the sights he saw while there, including the "much talked of" East room of the White House. He also talks about daily operations at his current post.
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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.
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Letter from John Patterson to his mother Julia on July 5, 1864
John H. Patterson
John H. Patterson wrote this long letter to his mother Julia on July 5th, 1864. In the letter he talks about daily life at the fort and how they celebrated the Fourth of July holiday. He says there are rumors that the Rebel troops will be in Baltimore soon.
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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.
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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.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother, Julia dated June 9, 1864
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his mother on June 9, 1864 from Georgia. In the letter he talks about the travels and battles of his troops, General Sherman's leadership, and shares his reflections on the life of a soldier.
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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.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia dated May 21, 1864
Robert Patterson
This letter was written from Robert Patterson to his mother Julia on May 21, 1864. He describes the hardships of marching and the challenges of fighting in Georgia. He shares his thoughts on the local citizens' attitudes and responses to their presence, and says he believes the "days of the Southern confederacy are numbered."
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Letter from William L. Patterson to his mother Julia dated May 21, 1864
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on May 21, 1864 from Cassville, Georgia. He writes that they have won two battles and briefly discusses their operations.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated July 5, 1864
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this brief note to his mother from the Officer's Hospital in Nashville on July 5, 1864. He writes about the Fourth of July Celebration and personal affairs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on June 28, 1864
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia from the field hospital on June 28, 1864. He discusses his illness and the regiments involved in the Atlanta Campaign.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia written from the field of battle on June 1, 1864
William Patterson
Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia written from the field on June 1, 1864. In this brief note he reassures her that he is unhurt.
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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.
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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.
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Letter to Stephen Patterson from J.K. Reynolds dated July 7, 1864
J. K. Reynolds
Letter to Stephen Patterson from J.K. Reynolds dated July 7, 1864. In the letter the friend asks Stephen to meet them at the depot.
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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.
