Manuscript Collections

This collection contains photographs from R.C. Leavenworth dated c. 1905-1998. A majority of Leavenworth's photographs are of commercial clients, particularly Oldsmobile and REO.

 This collection contains several documents relating to the military career of Alonzo Hunt, including his commission signed by Governor Austin Blair, his resignation from the military, and a 1912 application for a pension.

This collection contains a manumission for Frank Demas, who was 28 years old.

This collections consists of some material originally donated to the Michigan State Association of Colored Women's Clubs. The collection includes discharge certificate of Frister from Company G, 25th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry Volunteers, dated Dec. 8, 1865; pension certificates for Frister and wife and son; letters from William G. Cole, Company B, 5th U.S. Colored Troops, to Susan Cole, and dating from Feb. 1864 through 1865

 This collection consists of documents of Lyman H. Hutton. The collection includes the discharge papers of Hutton from the 188th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, dated Sept. 21, 1865; his discharge papers from the "Squirrel Hunters", dated Sept. 1862; a resolution of appreciation to Hutton for service in the "Squirrel Hunters", dated March 4, 1863; and a pension certificate issued to Hutton, dated Jan. 8, 1903.

This collection contains correspondences of Solomon V. Munger, his wife Amanda Munger, and his son, Hiram Munger from 1862-1864. A majority of the correspondences are between Solomon and Amanda, but there are several that are written to Hiram and other family members.

 This collection consists of a letter from W.H. Woodcock to Mary Stroud, July 13, 1862, relating to the war.

This collection consists of ALS from Thomas Larabell, Shenandoah Valley, August 27, 1862 to his wife (Larabell was in Company C., Fifth Regiment Michigan Infantry (Kearney's Division))

 This collection consists of letters from Samuel Matthews, Third Michigan Infantry, Company G, from various camps and battlegrounds, to his brother and sister, May 29, 1861-June 11, 1864.

Discharge paper of George Vedder, private, Company B, Third Regiment of Michigan Infantry Volunteers, May 25, 1866. 

This collection consists of one letter dated May 7, 1865. The letter is from Robert Wilson to his sister and talks about his status and updates her on his unit's progression. He briefly mentions visiting Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the University of North Carolina. He also mentions the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the impact he had on the country.

This collection consists of the Civil War discharge papers of Walter Carr, 14th Michigan Infantry and a one volume record of the 14th Michigan Infantry Volunteers.

This collection spans the duration of William Bandemer's participation in World War I. The papers are divided into two series, one comprising his letters home, and the other consisting of photographs taken during the war. Within each series, the material is arranged chronologically. The correspondence begins with Bandemer's letter informing his family of his enlistment in the Army. The first folder in the collection describes life in the forts in the United States, most of which depicts Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He illustrates everyday life at the Fort, including food, lodging, training exercises, and chores. Of particular interest are two letters telling of a measles outbreak and a fire in the camp. The second folder begins with Bandemer's first letter from France. He describes the trip over from the U.S. In his correspondence, he tells of daily life, including the living conditions and the weather. He also shares his impressions of shelling and the amount of action he saw in the war, including shelling and gassing attacks. The letters also describe his frustration with receiving few letters from his family because of mail delays and include his general reactions to family news. Near the end of the war, Bandemer details the surrender of Turkey (2 Nov 1918), liberated Italian prisoners (17 Nov 1918) and his reaction to German propaganda (10 Nov 1918). Bandemer stayed in France until February 1919 and the letters provide descriptions of post-World War I France, including descriptions of towns reduced to rubble. Of particular interest are two Christmas cards designed specifically by his regiment (1 Dec and 8 Dec 1918). He details his travels through France to reach a port for departure and the ensuing trip home. Bandemer did not write two letters in the collection. One informs him of his father's death (7 Aug 1918). The other is from a family friend serving in WWI telling Bandemer's mother of his visit with William (25 Jun 1918). The final folder in the collection is a loan request made by Bandemer after the war. The photographs span all of Bandemer's involvement in the war (1917-1919). Included are two portrait photographs of him, dated 1913 and 1920. Many of the photographs are difficult to date and identify, but estimates have been made. Most of the pictures are from Camp Devens and France. One folder includes pictures of Bandemer's family in Saginaw, Michigan, taken after the war.

The George L. Dart papers contain records illustrating the military service of George Leonard Dart in the United States Navy during the Second World War from 1944-1945. The material primarily focuses on George's military training prior to his deployment to the Pacific Theater on the USS Aaron Ward. However, the collection also highlights his experience at sea and the news following his death in May 1945. The collection is primarily correspondence from George to his wife, Lena Dart, and their two daughters. From the start of his naval training in April 1944 to his death in May 1945, George writes almost daily to his family in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Subjects include military experiences, news from home, military training, life in the navy and camp activities. Other material types include postcards, photographs, financial records, death records, military honors and condolences and publications.

This collection consists of a letter from F.D. Curtis, dated July 31, 1898, concerning the Spanish-American War.

This collection contains letters and cased photographs of the family of Ebenezer and Abigail Beardslee. The collection primarily consists of letters written by Moses A. Beardslee, who served in the 22nd Michigan Infantry, Company D, during the American Civil War. The collection also contains a few letters from Ebenezer Beardslee, as well as his draft substitution papers. Finally, the collection contains cased photographs of the Beardslee family, including of Moses Beardslee in his Union Army uniform.

 This collection contains general orders, newspaper clippings, publications, and other memorabilia from the Civil War.

This collection contains personal correspondences from William H. Stedman, who served in Co. A, 23rd Michigan Infantry during the Civil War.

This collection consists of one diary arranged as one series: 1. Diary, 1863. Bound diary kept by Jeffery W. Perry for the year 1863. Predominantly discusses the weather but with some brief comments about events in Perry's camp and the war in general. In the back of the diary is a list of dates on which he wrote letters and to whom he wrote, plus a brief ledger of expenses.

 This collection contains 17 letters from Daniel Halbert, Company H, Sixth Michigan Infantry, 1862-1866, to his cousin, Maria Halbert. Three of the letters were written upon his return to civilian life, and describe his attendance at Albion Commercial College.

This collection consists of photocopies of letters from Edson Conrad, Company G., 8th Regiment, Michigan Infantry Volunteers, to his family and dating 1862-1863. 

 Ann Harvey interviews her brother-in-law Gilbert VanderMale, who shares his experiences as a soldier during the World War II, such as being drafted into army and serving overseas in Europe in the 44th Infantry Division.

Scope and Content

 This collection was donated by Sterling Lee, Paddock's great, great grandson in 1991. It consists of a diary written by Paddock as a member of the First Regiment, Michigan Light Artillery. Describes camp life and military engagements from Jan. 1862 to April 1865. It also contains a portrait of Byron and a photograph of members of Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery.

 Part of the Bess Britton One-Room School House Collection (One-Room School House Memory Project) located at the Webster Memorial Library (Van Buren District Library System), Decatur, Michigan. Interviewer and Transcriber: Kenneth H. Baker. Includes transcript and audio compact disk. Interview conducted in a conference room located at the Allegan County Fairgrounds (c. 2011). The interview is approximately 40 minutes in length.

This collection consists of the Civil War diary of Sgt. Lorenzo A. Barker of Company D, 66th Illinois Veteran Volunteers, Western Sharpshooters, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps.

This collection contains personal correspondences from William Dalziel, who served in Co. A, 6th Michigan Cavalry. The letters are addressed to his sister. There is also one correspondence from John Dalziel. Transcripts of the letters are available.

 This collection contains typescripts of Civil War letters of Arza Bartholomew, Jr. Company G, 21st Michigan Infantry, to his wife Frances, and typescripts of Civil war letters of Jacob M., George W., William G., and Clarence (Charles) L. Houseman.

This collection consists of various letters from Darwin Babbitt to his parents, dating from Jan. 21, 1864 to Mar. 20, 1864. The collection also includes letters to S.A. Babbitt concerning his son's capture and as a prisoner, ca. July 1864; discharge papers of Darwin Babbitt of the 5th Michigan Cavalry, June 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and copied pages from Soldier's and sailor's almanac for 1865 with marginal notes relating to Babbitt being taken prisoner.

This collection consists several photostatic letters from George C. Gordon, Company I, 24th Michigan Infantry, to his wife, covering the period from Oct. 11, 1862 to May 31, 1865, and contain comments on battles, camp life and military politics. The collection also contains a program of the sixth annual re-union of the 24th Michigan Infantry held in Detroit, Dec. 14, 1874 and a photostatic letter from Mary Cooper, Secretary of the Leesville Patrons of Husbandry, Leesville, April 24, 1877 to George C. Gordon requesting him to address the Patrons.

 This collection contains letters to and from various members of the Bush family. The letters largely focus on the Civil War, or aspects of the conflict.

This collection consists of letters from Lemuel Osborn to his wife, Eunice, dating 1851, and 1865-1865. The collection includes a letter from Osborn from the gold fields of Calif. He describes his activities at the diggings and includes a list of provisions and their costs. The remaining letters were all written during Osborn's participation in the Civil War. They describe his feelings, troubles, hopes, and movements during the last years of the war.

Discharge papers for Private Henry Mishler of the 100th Indiana Infantry, Company D. He was discharged at Madison, Indiana on December 30, 1864. 

 This collection contains Civil War letters from Justus A. Balcom and George Woodward. The letters from Justus talk about his experience as a solider during his service. The letter from George references the death of Justus.

This small accession consists of 9 letters - 8 from John S. Potter to family members from November 1862-September 1863 and one from the Quartermaster General dated January 1869. Potter's letters are very descriptive - he writes of the landscape of the south, how the railroad is built, his opinions of the war, deserters, wealthy citizens of Kentucky, a soldier's funeral, and the betrayal of officers. He also describes how the "black troops are used as sappers and miners" and the sentiments towards African Americans in the south, both by southerners and by commanding officers.

Letters from the Civil War, both from the battlefront and home, from families in Coldwater, Mich. and Campbell, N.Y.

This collection consists of various items (1838-1865) of, or relating to the United States Christian Commission and its war work. Also includes an act dated 1838 providing for relief for the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad Company.

 This collection contains This collection consists of a photostat letter from Henry Gilbert dated October 10, 1863, and a photostat letter from W.F. Jenkins dated June 22, 1905.

 This collection consists of papers relating to the Fifth Michigan Infantry and Hamilton Potter (ca. 1839-1919). Potter served in Company B of that regiment. He mustered into the regiment at Pontiac (January 19, 1864), was wounded in action (May 5, 1864), and discharged on a disability certificate (May 9, 1865). The collection includes Potter's pension certificate (1910) and that of his widow, Rosetta Potter (1919). The papers also include photographs of the Fifth Michigan reunions at Mount Clemens (1919) and Detroit (1920), and brochures documenting the 1907 reunion of the Fifth Michigan Infantry, the 1903 reunion of the Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, and the 1927 encampment of veterans from the Civil War, Spanish American War, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The few newspaper clippings, gathered by Harold Reichtmyer, detail the number of Civil War veterans still living in the late 1930s. The collection also includes an undated obituary of Rosetta Potter, who married Hamilton Potter in 1867, and lived to the age of 80.

 This collection contains various Civil War documents of George Benton Arnold of Company D, 20th Michigan Infantry, including an ambrotype of Benton, his dairies (Jan. 1, 1863-Feb. 3, 1864, 1864, 1865), a letter to his sister (Nov. 7, 1862), his various commissioning papers, his discharge papers (May 30, 1865), his certificates of service, Michigan Adjutant General's Office (1904 and 1912), and an application of officer for correction of muster (Jan. 24, 1899).