Civil War Era Correspondence Collection Processed by Curtis White – Fall 1994 Reprocessed by Rachel Thompson – Fall 2010 Table of Contents Collection Information Volume of Collection: Two Boxes Collection Dates: Restrictions: Reproduction Rights: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the McLean County Museum of History Location: Archives Historical Sketch Scope and Content Note Biographical Sketches Anonymous: This folder consists of one photocopy of a letter from an unknown soldier to “Sallie” about preparations for the Battle of Allegheny Mountain, Virginia (now West Virginia). Anonymous [J.A.R?]: This folder contains the original and enlarged and darkened copies of a letter describing to the author’s sister his sister the hardships of marching long distances, weather, and sickness. Reuben M. Benjamin was born in June 1833 in New York. He married Laura W. Woodman in 1857. By 1860, they were residents of Bloomington, IL. Benjamin was an attorney and was active in the 1869 Illinois Constitutional Convention. Later, he became an attorney in the lead Granger case of Munn vs. the People which granted the states the right to regulate warehouse and railroad charges. In 1873, he was elected judge in McLean County and helped form the Illinois Wesleyan University law school. His file consists of a transcript of a letter to his wife written from La Grange, TN, dated January 21, 1865. He may have been part of a supply train regiment bringing food and other necessities to Union troops in Memphis, TN. This letter mentions troop movements. Due to poor health, Benjamin served only a few months. Joseph Burnett served in the 35th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. His folder contains five original letters written to his aunt and uncle. J. B. Burrows was born in 1830. He served in the 70th Illinois Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War. He was first a Quarter Master in Company F and later a Lieutenant in Company S. During the war, his regiment served on guard duty at Camp Butler. Burrows died on February 26, 1863, and is buried at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. His folder consists of photocopies of two letters, one of which is addressed to David Davis. H. H. Clark (Harrison H. or Hanson H.) was born in July 1836 in Ohio. He enlisted in the 94th IL, Co. I, on August 11, 1862. At the time, he was a resident of Randolph Township, McLean County. Having reached the rank of sergeant, Clark was discharged on July 17, 1865. After returning from the war, he returned to farming in McLean County. He married Sarah M. in 1866. As of 1880, Clark was living in Randolph Township with his wife and five children. At the funeral of Almon Morrow (see below), Clark served as a pallbearer. Upon his death in 1913, Clark was buried in the Randolph Township Cemetery. Clark’s file contains two original letters written to his family. John W. Coleman was born in January 1831 in Ohio. Coleman enlisted in the 41st IL on Sept. 30, 1862. At the time, Coleman was a resident of Monticello, IL. He was the 2nd Assistant Surgeon of his regiment. Coleman mustered out on August 20, 1864. After the war, he continued to practice medicine as a physician. By 1870, he was living in Monticello with his wife and two children. Coleman’s folder consists of one original letter and a copy. The letter was written from Vicksburg and concerns the death of Dr. Pierce. George B. Custer was a resident of Logansport, Indiana. He served with the 73rd IN, Co. H as a sergeant. He enlisted August 16, 1862, and mustered out July 1, 1865 in Nashville, TN. Custer passed away on June 29, 1934, and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Logansport, IN. His file consists of five original letters and 3 transcriptions. John Franklin Day was born on August 15, 1827, in Tennessee. He later made his home in Wayne County, IL. There, he married Mary Magdalene Hart on April 14, 1853. Day served as a Captain in the 110th IL. He died on February 27, 1863. His file contains seventeen original letters between Day and his wife as well as sixteen photocopies. Karl Donitz, also known as Charles Denitz, was a resident of Logan County, IL. He enlisted on August 12, 1861, in the 2nd Illinois Cavalry, Co. B. Donitz mustered out on November 22, 1865, in San Antonio, TX. His folder contains a photocopy of a letter (written in German) Donitz wrote to his brother, and a translated transcription of the same letter. Anna E. Dyer was a schoolteacher and self-described “country school-marm” from Wyoming, IL. Her file contains six original letters addressed to a Mr. Cassady with whom she exchanged letters. Her letters mention of Lincoln’s assassination, her opinion of John Wilkes Booth, whom she thought was handsome, and the capture of Jefferson Davis. Charles S. Elder was born on May 7, 1835. As a child, he lived in Clayton, Perry County, Ohio with his parents, James and Mary. He married Mary E., and by 1860, the couple was living in Bloomington. At the time of this correspondence, the Elders had three children, Lora, Josie, and Eddy. Charles Elder enlisted as a musician in the 33rd IL on September 19, 1861. In his letters, he mentions assisting the regiment’s physician. Charles and Mary wrote to each other weekly or more. Elder was discharged on August 16, 1862. His wife died on July 17, 1883. By 1900, Elder lived in Chenoa and was working as a physician. He died on April 12, 1911, and is buried at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington. His file contains eighteen original letters that he wrote to his wife as well as eight original letters and one photocopy of letters Mary Elder wrote to her husband. Rowland N. Evans was born on June 16, 1834 in Pennsylvania to Welsh parents. Evans was a Bloomington resident when he enlisted on June 13, 1861. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the 20th IL, Co. I, on April 4, 1862. He was promoted to Full Captain on May 22, 1863, and then Full Major on May 19, 1865. Evans mustered out on July 16, 1865, in Louisville, KY. He continued to live in Bloomington after the war working as a carpenter and then as a bookkeeper. Later he became Bloomington City Clerk and assistant postmaster. Evans died on April 16, 1916, and is buried at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. His file contains thirteen original letters, one photocopy, and eleven typed transcripts. Most of the letters are addressed to his sweetheart and eventual wife Mary Parke. Rudolph Fry was born circa 1841 in Illinois. As of 1860, he was living in Bloomington. Fry enlisted on August 8, 1862, serving in the 94th IL, Co. A. He was discharged on June 23, 1865. His file contains one original letter addressed to Frank Evans. Richard Gates: This folder contains one original letter addressed to Jesse W. Fell. James Gill was born on May 12, 1830, in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland, to William Gill and Hana Tobin. James Gill came to America in 1846. He lived in New York until 1854, when he enlisted in the Navy. Gill served as a seaman on the frigate Independence. During his naval career, he travelled to San Francisco, South America, the Hawaiian Islands, and Panama. After an honorable discharge, he moved to Bloomington, where he went into the carpentry business. In 1857, he went to St. Louis, where he enlisted as a private in the 33rd MO, and was later transferred to the 11th MO. During the Civil War, he saw service at Nashville, Red River, Yazoo, and the siege of Mobile. Gill was discharged in December 1865 in Tuscaloosa, AL. After the war, he returned to Bloomington, where he married Ann Garrity on November 7, 1876. Gill died of pneumonia on February 21, 1916. He was buried three days later in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bloomington. His file contains ten photocopies of letters addressed to his mother and sister. E. E. Greenman (full name Esek Eddy Greenman) was born on January 26, 1813, in Ohio. As of 1850, he was living in McLean County, where he continued to live at least until 1880. He was a resident of both Empire Township and LeRoy. Greenman served in the 39th IL, Co. J, during the Civil War. He married Martha Ann Pierce, but was widowed by 1880. Greenman died on May 18, 1893, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, LeRoy. His file contains one original document, a letter from a soldier to E. E. Greenman with a request for Greenman to look after his money until he comes home. F. J. Herron was born on February 17, 1837, in Pennsylvania. He was a resident of Dubuque, IA, when he enlisted on April 23, 1861. Herron, who was wounded during the war, rose to the rank of Major General. As of 1870, he was living in New Orleans. Herron died on January 8, 1902, in New York City. His file contains one original letter, addressed to President Lincoln regarding the promotion of Col. McNulta. William H. Horine was born on March 3, 1840, in Kentucky to Adam and Sarah Horine. As of 1850, he was living in Randolph Grove, McLean County, with his parents and siblings. He enlisted on August 10, 1862, in the 94th IL, Co. K. He was discharged on December 1, 1864, and returned to Bloomington. By 1900, he was a farmer living with his wife Agnes, their two children, and two of his brothers.