Newberry Library - Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Springfield, IL (weather, camp life, food), Theodore Watson letters, April 27, 1861

Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Springfield, IL (weather, camp life, food), Theodore Watson letters, April 27, 1861

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Open book Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Springfield, IL (weather, camp life, food), Theodore Watson letters, April 27, 1861

Title Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Springfield, IL (weather, camp life, food), Theodore Watson letters, April 27, 1861

Creator Watson, Theodore

Date April 27, 1861

Place Illinois--Cairo, Illinois--Camp Defiance, United States

Language English

Subjects Soldiers, United States, American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)

Description Letters from Theodore Watson to his brother John in Hillsboro, Illinois, during the early months of the Civil War. Correspondence describes his life as a three-month enlistee in the Illinois 3rd Company (later the Illinois 9th Regiment) stationed at Camp Defiance to defend Cairo, Illinois.

Summary The collection consists of ten letters from Theodore Watson to his brother John Watson, describing his life in the army, written from April 27 to July 7, 1961. The early letters are full of enthusiasm for daily army life, with everyone in high spirits, getting plenty of food and sleep. When the company settles in Camp Defiance in Cairo, Watson is feeling well, ready for action, still having an easy time of it - singing, playing games, swimming and enjoying camp life. However, though he's proud of the drilling skills of his group, by early July he has grown tired and bored, and feels ill. Watson advises his brother John not to enlist and he himself is not going to sign on for the three-year enlistment period.The purchase documentation lists eleven letters. However, two were parts of other letters, so there are actually only nine letters. It is also possible that two other sheets are also separated parts of a single letter. A transcription, on acid-free paper, is filed with each letter.

Biographical/Historical Note Illinois Civil War Soldier. Theodore Watson, a young man from Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, was mustered into H Company, 3rd Illinois Volunteers in Springfield, Illinois, on April 26, 1861. The 3rd was moved to Cairo, Illinois, for garrison duty at Camp Defiance, attached to Captain Prentiss's Brigade. Originally a ninety-day unit, the 3rd became the 9th Illinois Regiment under Prentiss, with a three-year enlistment period. Watson chose not to re-enlist and was mustered out July 26, 1861.

Extent 0.2 linear feet (10 items in 1 box)

Format Correspondence, Personal narratives

User-Contributed Transcription Springfield April 27Dear BrotherI now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to let you know what kind of times I have it is raining now so we have to stay in Camp the fair grounds is so full that we have to Camp in the Brickyard oposite the fair grounds there is a shed we sleep under we ate breakfast this morning out in the rain we enjoyed it first rate the Captain enjoys it as well as the rest of us we are now under the shed some reading their Bibles some playing eucher some singing some running and jumping we are having very easy times nights we all pile up together on some straw

Archival Collection Title Theodore Watson letters

Link to Catalog View finding aid | View record

Call Number Midwest MS Watson Box 1 Folder 1

BibID 998256018805867

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.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 1859px × 2906px 15.49 MB

Filename 998256018805867_midwest_ms_watson_box_00001_fol_00001_000001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11CM4V

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