Manuscript Collections

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 miscellaneous Civil War materials, mostly of Capt. Charles D. Lyon. Includes the enlistment papers of Alfred Henry Slocum (Feb. 6, 1862); a letter from Brady E. Backus, Jan. 2, 1862, to Capt. Charles D. Lyon; a letter from W.B. Morrison, Jan. 15, 1862, to Charles D. Lyon; an invoice of ordnance and stores turned over by Capt. Charles D. Lyon, May 4, 1862; list of stores lost at Seven Days Battle, Oct. 1, 1862; copy of portion of orders for Capt. Lyon to report for duty at St. Louis, Mo.; and a railroad pass dated July 5, 1864.

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.

The John King papers consists of papers relating to the Civil War record of John King (1864-1865) of Company D, Sixth Michigan Infantry (heavy artillery). Included are King's discharge papers (1864 and 1865) and documentation of his promotion to corporal (August 20, 1864). The collection also includes two letters written by Phebe Trego, the mother of John King. The letters, dated October 16, 1864 and July 28, 1865, were addressed from Bristol (Eckhart County) Indiana.

The Dolores Hoagland Collection contains papers from four generations of Hoagland individuals. The bulk of the materials document the Hoagland family's extensive military background, their businesses - Richland Furs and Richland Arms - in Blissfield, Michigan, and their lives and activities at home and abroad. Subjects include Hoagland family history, Blissfield local history, business proceedings, military experiences, and activities encompassing work, vacation, and family. Material types include correspondence, photographs, business records, military service records and scrapbooks. The papers of Clement Sr. and Clement Jr. compromise the bulk of the collection. Clement Sr. served in the First World War in the 353rd Aero Service Squadron from 1918-1919. Clement Jr. served in the Second World War from 1943-1945. After the war, Clement Jr. came back to Blissfield to join the family business and eventually took over operations of the Richland Furs and Richland Arms. Dolores (Hatcher) Hoagland married Thomas C. Hoagland (Clement Jr.) in 1950 in Blissfield, Michigan. They couple had three children, Thomas, William Neal and Harriet Ann.

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

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.

 This collection contains personal papers and correspondence of Abner Wood. Also included are certificates from the Livingston County Board of Canvassers testifying to Wood's election to public office. There are also copies of his pension files from the National Archives, supplemented by an affidavit that was written when he was seeking disability payment. There is also a General Instructions document to deputies when Wood was a surveyor.

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 consists of personal papers of Asa L. Landon, covering the dates 1863-1919. The collection consists of letters sent home from the front by Landon, his military discharge, his marriage certificate, the marriage certificate of Fred J. Landon and Anna Grugel, documents acknowledging the Asa Landon was a 32⁰ Mason, deeds to a plot in Mount Hope Cemetery, and pension records for Landon and his wife. The collection is arranged alphabetically.

 This collection contains materials connected with the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. The majority of the material is newspaper clippings telling the story of the capture of Booth, as well as his burial. The collection also includes a lecture on the capture of John Wilkes Booth by Luther Byron Baker and a photograph of him.

 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 collection contains correspondences from Giles B. Allen and an receipt acknowledging Linen for Officers in the Sixth Michigan Infantry, Company F. There is also a newspaper photograph of Giles B. Allen.

 This collection consists of nine letters written during the American Civil War. In three letters to his sister, Van Norman describes his time in Nelson General Hospital at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. The five letters to his father were written from Strawberry Plains and describe the skirmishes he was in, interactions with prisoners, and catching fish and eels in the river. The last letter, written by Lieutenant Wallace W. Dickinson, informs the Van Norman family of Benjamin's bravery and death.

 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 a letter from E.J. Fish to A.R. Wood, July 24, 1861, discussing the war, religion and the men of Sturgis, Mich.; a letter form Ebenezer French to William Allma, May 3, 1862, discussing A.R. Wood's death and financial matters relating thereto; a letter from M.C. Meigs, Quartermaster General, to William L. Stoughton, House of Representatives, Dec. 20, 1870, relating information regarding burial place of A.R. Wood; a newspaper obituary of Mrs. Julia Wood, wife of A.R. Wood.

 This collection contains five items: the first is a lithograph of Company G, 21st Michigan Volunteer Regiment in Color Ink on paper. It lists names of officers and enlisted men. Decorations include an eagle, pillars with flag burning, and drawing of Mount Vernon (Virginia), near top. Second, there is an image of a Parade of the Grand Army of the Republic in Washington D.C. depicting street and buildings with soldiers parading and citizens cheering from the sides. Third, a birds-eye view depicting Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia. Prison stockade and camp outside of stockade. Fourth, a Diploma for Degree of Flora for Mrs. J.W. Ernest. Finally, a view of Libby prison in Richmond, Virginia. Drawing of Confederate flag, tents and soldiers in the backgound.

 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 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.

 This collection consists of papers of Charles F. Smith. The collection includes 12 letters from Smith to his family, dating from Apr. 21, 1861(?) to July 23, 1865, and a diary of Smith's, dated Oct. 11, 1864, while he was a prisoner of war.

 This collection consists of two folders. The first contains original correspondence and typed transactions of that correspondence. The second folder contains a compact disc of digitally scanned images of the same correspondence. The letters date 1863, except for one, which dates 1898. C.L. Leach wrote the 1898 letter to George Bush, and in it Leach notes that he is now married and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He mentions people that he and George both know and asks George to write with any news. Frederick wrote some of the 1863 letters, and Christian, Jr. wrote the others. They are all addressed to their father, Christian Sr., and their brother George. The brothers reflect on the war and describe their experiences. They reveal a disdain for both abolitionists and African Americans and seem to regard the abolitionists in particular as a main cause of the war. The brothers describe some of their combat experiences. Gettysburg is among the battles described by Frederick (Christian was apparently hospitalized at the time). The brothers provide opinions of other men and officers and on the progress of the war. They seemed to often feel that generals were too slow to attack. They sometimes commented on medical care, their health and the weather and expressed longings to return home.

 This collection consists several documents pertaining to the Civil War. The collection includes discharge papers for Delos H. Ennis of Company C, Ninth Michigan Veteran Infantry (June 20, 1865) and for Peter F. Garrison, Company K, 14th Michigan Veteran Infantry (July 18, 1865). The collection also contains 2 receipts for ordnance stores returned to Company D, 24th Michigan Infantry (June 1863), an abstract of materials expended or consumed by the same company from time of muster to and during the first quarter of 1863, and a circular, Circular no. 10, series of 1863, issued by the War Dept., March 16, 1863, relative to the "return of ordnance and ordnance stores".

 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.

 This collection consists of correspondence exchanged between various members of the Cook (Cooke) family in New York state with members who emigrated to Michigan. There is a collection of Civil War letters (1861-1864) from both Michigan and New York regiments.

 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 consists of the diary of Darwin H. Babbitt, a private in the 5th Michigan Cavalry, Co. K. The diary discusses daily events through May 27, 1864, including reviews by Generals Meade, Custer, Grant and Sheridan, and movements through Richmond, Yorktown, Alexandria, and Fairfax, Virginia. 

Discharge papers of Daniel S. Ingersoll, 15th Michigan Volunteers, Co. G, August 11, 1865. 

 This collection consists of the Civil War diary of Major Cornelius Byington, 2nd Michigan Infantry, Co. C. He entered service in Co. C at age 39 at it's organization, as a captain, May 10, 1861, at Battle Creek, Mich. He was commissioned a Major on Apr. 25, 1861, mustered May 25, 1861, and died Dec. 11, 1863, from wounds received in action on Nov. 24, 1863, at Knoxville, Tenn. The diary also includes a written statement about his death and newspaper articles.

 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 typescript letters written by Leonard G. Loomis to Elizabeth Abbott, from Oct. 28, 1860 to Oct. 2, 1864, from various places throughout the South during the Civil War.

 This collection consists of the discharge order of Benjamin Balderson, dated 1864.

 This collection consists of letters dating from Sept. 16, 1861-Sept. 24, 1862, written by Stephen B. DeLano, C.H. Goodrich (his cousin), and Capt. Theodore Reese, all of Company F, 3rd Regiment, Michigan Cavalry Volunteers. The letters were written to family members in Cooper, Mich. commenting on general topics such as farming, weather, the war, and life in military camps. Also in the collection is a diary dating Dec. 17, 1861(?)-June 3, 1862, which the donor assumes was kept by DeLano; DeLano's certificate of health; and a military pass.

 This collection contains letters from John L. Brooks and his diary from the year 1862. John primarily writes to his daughters from Key West, Florida.

 Journal and ledger kept at Quartermaster's Department in Detroit by Andrew J. Weston, a clerk and bookkeeper, during the Civil War. Contains items of clothing issued to members of Company G, Second Michigan Infantry.

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

 This collection contains several documents relating to promotions received by Joseph Elder who served in Company A, Third Battalion, Eleventh United States Infantry. The first document, dated Sept. 1, 1863, promotes Elder from private to corporal. The second, dated Nov. 17, 1864, promotes Elder from corporal to sergeant.

 This collection consists of two Civil War letters, dating 1863 and 1864 from Erwin Welsh, 67th Ohio Infantry, Company I. One of the letters is to his wife, Jennie.

 Manuscript Collection 2008-46 contains materials of or relating to Henry and Nancy Ewing. Includes correspondence (1855-1965, mostly dated 1865-1865); scrapbooks and notebooks (1861-1865, 1893) kept by the Ewing family; and photographs (1864, 1888), four carte de visites and one tintype, of various members of the Ewing family. The four carte de visites are of Civil War soldiers D.C. Cherington, Andy Ewing, Alvin Hank, and T.C. Radabaugh. The tintype is of Mack Ewing, Alvin Hank, and Andy Ewing taken in 1888.

 This collection consists of the Civil War diary of Charles A. Gunn, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, Co. B, for 1863. The entries are intermittent and include some references to Vicksburg and statistics on captures, injured, etc. The collection also includes a copy of The New York herald of sat., April 15, 1865, detailing stories of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the stabbing of Seward.

 This collection consists of a photocopy of notes from a diary kept by John Vogel (1804-1907), a Dutch immigrant, Civil War soldier, and founder of Vogel Center, Missaukee County, Mich. The notes mentions John Torrent, Ducey Lumber Company, William S. Hofstra, John Lynch, John W. Blodgett, Albert DeGroot, Martin DeGroot, and the Vogel family. The notes were copied by Fred C. Hirzel of Moorestown, Mich.

 This collection consists of muster-out and voucher forms dating 1864-1866. There are four types of records in the collection: detachment muster-out forms (showing name, rank, age, when, where, and by whom enrolled and mustered, when and by whom last paid, allowances given for travel, subsistence, clothing, equipment, and remarks); individual muster-outs (shows the same information as the first, plus data on pay rate and bounty received); regimental muster-outs (gives same information as the second, but does so for all members of a given company); and vouchers documenting pay to officers for salary, clothing, subsistence, and hired private servants. The servants were black, and the forms give their name, height, eye color, and hair color. The collection is arranged numerically by regiment, with infantry and cavalry units listed first. A name index has been prepared for easy access to the records.