Newberry Library - L.S. Willard letters, 1862-1864

L.S. Willard letters, 1862-1864

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Open book L.S. Willard letters, 1862-1864

Title L.S. Willard letters, 1862-1864

Creator Willard, L. S. (Lot Sabine), active 1862-1865

Date 1862-1864

Place Camp Benton (Mo.), Georgia, Illinois--Brimfield, Illinois--Peoria County, Louisiana, Mississippi, Southern States, Tennessee, United States

Language English

Subjects United States, Brothers and sisters, Parent and adult child, Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of, Ga., 1864, Resaca, Battle of, Resaca, Ga., 1864, Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862, Soldiers, Soldiers' writings, American, American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)

Summary Nineteen Letters from Lot Sabin Willard to his mother, father, and brother in Peoria, Illinois during the Civil War, from 1862-1864, as well as two envelopes addressed to Mrs. G. Hathaway, Brimfield, Peoria county, Illinois. Willard's first two letters, which explain details of camp life at St. Louis, Missouri and express anticipation for active service, are quickly followed by two from Pittsburg, Tennessee detailing the horror of the Battle of Shiloh, with specifics about his participation and reinforcements. Willard continues sending letters from LaGrange and Memphis Tenessee; Tallahatchie River, Mississippi; Millikin's Bend, and Providence, Louisiana; and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which discuss food, skirmishes, battles, blockades, Vicksburg and commanding figures such as McPherson, Grant, and Sherman. Willard also writes about his promotion to major and Senior Aide-de-Camp, corruption amongst the officers, his feelings on the anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh, and his own longing for home and peace. After this, he follows Sherman and writes a quick letter after the battle of Resaca to reassure his family, as well as a longer one anticipating the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, writing from Resaca, Kingston, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia and near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Willard's letters clearly show his perspective as an officer, looking not only at the immediate battles but at wider politics and battle plans, as well as his obvious preference for peace.

Biographical/Historical Note First Lieutenant in the 11th Illinois Calvary, Company G, which served as Headquarters Guard, 17th Army Corps from 1863 to the end of the Civil War.

Extent 0.2 linear feet (20 items in 1 box)

Format Correspondence, Personal narratives, Sources, Genealogies, Manuscripts

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Midwest MS Willard

BibID 992654838805867

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

Size 2879px × 3517px 29.01 MB

Filename 992654838805867_midwest_ms_willard_000038.tif

Unique Identifier NL1ZS7P

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