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 Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson on August 2, 1862
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson writes to his father Jefferson on August 2, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville. Robert expresses dissatisfaction with his regiment and tells his father he has mailed a letter of recommendation given him and hopes to receive an appointment in another regiment. He also mentions a letter published in the Cincinnati Gazette which made disparaging remarks about the Union soldiers.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on July 16, 1862
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father, Jefferson Patterson, on July 16, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville, Virginia. In the letter he writes about the shortage of food rations and reports of large Rebel forces in Richmond and Gordonsville.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on July 24, 1862
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father, Jefferson Patterson, on July 24, 1862 from Army headquarters in Sperryville, Virginia. In the letter he writes about infantry, cavalry and artillery being on the move and complains about Colonel Schliech and his method of appointing officers based on personal acquaintance and friendship rather than competence. He closes by saying they will be heading to Culpepper soon.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his brother John written June 24, 1862
Stephen Patterson
Stephen Patterson wrote this letter to his brother John on June 24, 1862. In the letter he talks about enjoying the Clarksburg area, the scenery and the townspeople. He describes light soldierly duties and a party given by a prominent citizen from town.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his father, Jefferson Patterson on March 3, 1862
Stephen Patterson
Stephen Patterson wrote this letter to his father Jefferson on March 3, 1862 from school at Oxford. Stephen writes that he has been ill with measles and that the students were glad to hear of the occupation of Nashville.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on February 14, 1862
Stephen Patterson
Stephen Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother from Oxford on February 14, 1862. The letter thanks her for sending clothing items and makes inquiries about family members and a friend of the family, Jim Reynolds.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on July 17, 1862
Stephen Patterson
This letter was written by Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on July 17, 1862. He mentions good health and satisfaction with his present location. He also mentions several times in the letter his wish to have a commission in his Uncle Charlie's regiment.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia on June 16, 1862
Stephen Patterson
Stephen Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on June 16, 1862. In the letter he describes good health and clothing needs, and mentions that they have received orders to march to Cumberland.
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Letter from Stephen Patterson to his mother Julia, written in 1862
Stephen Patterson
Stephen Patterson wrote this brief letter to his mother Julia from Camp Chase on June 15, 1862. In the letter he discusses daily affairs and some personal needs.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia dated January 30, 1862
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this long letter to his mother Julia on January 30, 1862. In the letter he discusses personal concerns of his recent illness, clothing needs, and camp life.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on April 10, 1862
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother, Julia, on April 10, 1862 from Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. He writes to say that he is alive and well, and survived the battle which recently took place there.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia on February 16, 1862
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia on February 16, 1862. He talks about the possible movement of their troops to Green River, Bowling Green, and Nashville.
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Letter from William Patterson to his mother Julia Patterson written February 9, 1862
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his mother Julia from Camp Wood, on February 9, 1862. In the letter he complains of not having received mail from home for a while, and having been ill for several weeks with "camp fever." He says that they will likely be marching to Bowling Green now that Fort Pickett has been taken.
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Western Union telegram from William Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson dated February 17, 1862
William Patterson
This Western Union telegram was sent from William Patterson to his father Jefferson on February 17, 1862, requesting his father to send him twenty dollars.
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Letter written from Jennie Price to her aunt Julia Patterson dated June 5, 1862
Jennie Price
This letter was written by Jennie Price to her aunt Julia Patterson on June 5, 1862. In the letter she talks about the secessionist views of their cousin, Ellen Searles.
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Letter written from L.K. Shaffner to Julia Patterson on March 1, 1862
L. K. Shaffner
This letter was written by a family friend, L.K. Shaffner, to Julia Patterson on March 1, 1862. The friend discusses her travels around the country and dissatisfaction with Peoria.
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Letter to Jefferson Patterson from an unknown sender in 1862
Unknown
This letter is to Jefferson Patterson from an unknown sender from 1862. The letter relates information that the sender received from Pittsburg Landing.
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Letter from Chas McDougal to Robert Patterson dated July 29, 1861
Chas McDougal
Chas McDougal wrote this letter to Robert Patterson as a means of introduction for Clive Robson on July 29, 1861. In the letter he asks Patterson to assist in recruiting troops for Clive Robson.
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Letter from Jefferson Patterson to his son Robert dated December 25, 1861
Jefferson Patterson
Jefferson Patterson wrote this long letter to his son Robert on December 25, 1861. In the letter he talks about a bridge over Bacon Creek that was burned by Rebel soldiers and subsequently rebuilt. He mentions there have been a number of recruits from Dayton including Pettigrew and Longstreth, and the great ranks of troops in Kentucky. He refers briefly to newspaper reports of Charles Anderson's escape from Texas and the Rebel troops destruction of the Northern Missouri railroad. He also talks about visiting cousins Lizza and Jennie Price.
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Letter from Jefferson Patterson to his son Robert dated November 8, 1861
Jefferson Patterson
Jefferson Patterson wrote this letter to his son Robert on November 8, 1861. In the letter he talks about the issue of secession, recent elections and the Union ticket. Also mentioned is a battle which took place at Belmont, Missouri.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson on December 15, 1861
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father on December 15, 1861. He writes from Rolla, Missouri and discusses his recent illness and camp conditions. He also talks about the officers and their leadership abilities.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his father Jefferson Patterson on December 21, 1861
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his father on December 21, 1861. In the letter he discusses his recent illness and camp conditions. He also mentions one of his company officers, Captain Young, who has recently resigned.
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Letter from Robert Patterson to his mother on April 28, 1861
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson wrote this letter to his mother on April 28, 1861. In the letter he talks about his health, food conditions at camp and orders to troops to move to Camp Dennison, at Loveland, Ohio from Camp Jackson.
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Partial letter from Robert Patterson to an unidentified recipient dated November 25, 1861
Robert Patterson
This is part of a letter from Robert Patterson to an unidentified recipient which describes the surrounding countryside where he is encamped on November 25, 1861.
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Letter from William Patterson to his brother on April 13, 1861
William Patterson
William Patterson wrote this letter to his brother on April 13, 1861. In the letter he talks about daily life and family concerns.
