My passion is studying American history leading up to & including the Civil War. I particularly enjoy reading, transcribing & researching primary sources such as letters and diaries.
These two letters were written by 21 year-old William Shafer Evans (1843-1909), the son of James Evans (1808-1887) and Catherine Gardner (1805-1872) of Baughman Township, Wayne County, Ohio. William never attended any school other than the “Pokeberry” district school near his birthplace. He showed remarkable promise as a writer, however, and as a champion speller. … More 1864: William Shafer Evans to Allen K. Rohrer
These eight letters were written by Silas Leach (1836-1902), the son of Isaiah Leach (1786-1837) — a life-long school teacher and a teacher of music — and Eliza Kelly. Being only a year old when his father died, Silas and his four siblings were taken by their mother to Wilkes-Barre where she resided until her … More 1861-2: Silas Leach to George W. Leach
This letter was written by 17 year-old John Johnson (b. 1847), who was enumerated in the household of James Evans (1808-1887) and Catherine Gardner (1805-1872) of Baughman, Wayne County, Ohio in the 1860 US Census. He was the son of Lewis Johnson (b. 1812) and Delilah Evans (b. 1814). John’s mother and James Evans were probably … More 1864: John Johnson to Allen K. Rohrer
This letter was written by Benjamin Rohrer (1821-1909) of Baughman, Wayne County, Ohio, to his wife Sarah (McFarland) Rohrer (1826-1916). From the letter we learn that Benjamin has traveled from Ohio to the hospital at Fort Ethan Allen outside of Washington D.C. to visit his son, Allen K. Rohrer (1845-1864), a private in Company E, 169th … More 1864: Benjamin Rohrer to Sarah (McFarland) Rohrer
I have been unable to find a genealogical record for this Campbell family. This letter suggests that there were three brothers by that name — Daniel of Readfield [MA]; David of Cambridge [NY], and George of Hartland [CT]. The only one I could find anything about was David Campbell (1781-1836) who was married to Isabella … More 1816: Daniel S. Campbell to David Campbell
This letter was written by Catherine (Boddie) McNeill to her husband, Maj. Malcom McNeill (1796-1875) of Christian County, Kentucky. Malcom and Catherine (his fifth wife) appeared on the 1850 Federal Census reporting real estate valued at $60,500 and 57 slaves. Their son Malcolm was listed as living with them, as was Malcolm Carothers. TRANSCRIPTION Maj. Malcom … More 1854: Catherine (Boddie) McNeill to Maj. Malcom McNeill
This letter was written by Sarah Mellis (Tilton) Howard (1807-1887), the daughter of William Tilton (1778-1819) and Catherine Mellis (1771-1843). Sarah was married to William Langford Howard (1789-1864), Navy Commander. Their son, Thomas Howard was born 3 September 1831. The 1857 New York City Directory reveals that Thomas Howard was the proprietor of a dry … More 1857: Sarah Mellis (Tilton) Howard to Edward M. Tilton
This letter was written by a woman who signed her name Mary (@1780-@1860) and who called Capt. Oliver Wellman her brother so I assume her maiden name was Mary Wellman. We learn from the letter that she is living on James Island near Charleston, South Carolina. I believe she was married to someone named Virgil … More 1827: Mary Wellman to Capt. Oliver Kempton Wellman
This letter was written by Robert F. Wooding, believed to be a son of Robert T. Wooding (1792-1856) and Mary Kent (1795-1867) of Pittsylvania, Virginia. He was probably born in the early 1820s and we learn from the letter that he had a brother that preceded him to Florida Territory. Robert doesn’t reveal the nature … More 1844: Robert F. Wooding to Langhorne Scruggs
This letter was written by Nancy E. James (1833-Aft1880), the daughter of John (“Jack”) James (1801-1880) and Rachel O’Kelley (1809-1870) of Anderson District, South Carolina. Nancy wrote the letter to her sister Frances Sarah Jane James (1836-1918), the wife of Ira James (1830-Bef1880), upon hearing of the death of her sister’s little boy. Other siblings … More 1864: Nancy E. James to Sarah Jane James
Batavia, Illinois
Saving history one letter at a time.
Saving history one letter at a time
by Washington Marlatt, 1848
Saving History One Letter at a Time
by Charles A. Frey
Co. B, 91st New York Infantry
39th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
19th Century Images
Letters from the 23rd Illinois Infantry, the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry, the 64th New York Infantry, and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry
1st New Jersey Light Artillery
36th Massachusetts Volunteers
Co. B, 37th Illinois Volunteers
the pocket memorandum of Alexander C. Taggart
Co. I, 32nd New York Volunteers
Co. F, 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteers
Co. A, 124th New York Infantry & Co. B, 16th New York Cavalry
Co. H, 77th Illinois Volunteers
Co. D, 103rd Ohio Volunteers
Civil War Letters of Monroe McCollister, Co. B, 6th OVC
Civil War Letters of Nelson Statler, 211th PA
The Origin of Bluemont Central College
14th Connecticut drummer boy's war-time correspondence with his mother
Lt. Commander in the US Navy during the Civil War
Fighting with the Irish Brigade during the Peninsula Campaign
Letters of Dory & Morty Longwood, 7th Indiana
The Civil War Letters of Henry Clay Long, 11th Maine Infantry
The Civil War Letters of Jacob Bauer, 16th Connecticut, & his wife Emily
Saving History One Letter at a Time
3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Co. I
The Diary of George W. Shue
A Virtual Archive of Civil War Likenesses collected by Dave Morin
Co. K, 7th Rhode Island Infantry
The Bancroft Collection of Civil War Letters
Company D, 37th Massachusetts Infantry
A Virtual Archive of his Letters, 1858-1869
Co. H, 13th New Hampshire Volunteers
Batavia, Illinois
Saving history one letter at a time.
Saving history one letter at a time
by Washington Marlatt, 1848
Saving History One Letter at a Time
by Charles A. Frey
Co. B, 91st New York Infantry
39th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
19th Century Images
Letters from the 23rd Illinois Infantry, the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry, the 64th New York Infantry, and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry
1st New Jersey Light Artillery
36th Massachusetts Volunteers
Spared & Shared 5 