Newberry Library - Robert Leslie Wiles journal, 1862-1865

Title Robert Leslie Wiles journal, 1862-1865

Date 1862-1865

Subjects Creek Indians, Soldiers, Tullahassee Manual Labor School (Indian Territory), Tullahassee Mission (Indian Territory), United States, American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)

Description Includes typed transcript of the journal.

Summary Journal containing diary entries, Oct. 7, 1863-Apr. 17, 1865, copies of letters received in 1862 from missionaries W.S. Robertson and his wife A.E.W. Robertson, lists of letters received and written, 1862-1864, and poems. Diary entries are both daily and summarized accounts of Wiles' service with Company D, briefly in Missouri, but mainly at various Arkansas locations including Batesville, Jacksonport, De Vals Bluff, Fort Smith, Fort Gibson, at the Neosho River, and Little Rock. Wiles notes his company's movements (including escorting Confederate Maj. Gen. Herron to Fort Smith), picket and scout duty, and other military routine. He describes shortages of provisions for soldiers and their mounts, particularly at Fort Smith and Fort Gibson. He mentions Negroes following the marching troops, harassment by bushwhackers and the large number of Cherokee bushwhackers, encounters with Confederate forces (including those commanded by Gen. Shelby), and President Lincoln's death. Wiles' transcribed 1862 letters from the Robertsons inform him of their intent to send him gospels and hymns in the Creek language, and of the status of dispersed of mission school staff and students. Poems, probably composed by Wiles, include one to a Luvanna Hills.

Biographical/Historical Note Union soldier who served as corporal in Company D of the 11th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, 1863-1865. It is likely that Wiles was a Creek Indian who prior to the war attended the Tullahassee Manual Labor School in the Creek Nation (Indian Territory). His missionary teachers, with whom he corresponded in 1862, were William Schenck Robertson and Ann Eliza Worcester Robertson. During 1862 Wiles was accused of "being a Southern sympathizer" and was held in "military confinement" at Alton, Illinois. Released on "parole of honor during the war in the limits of the Missouri lines," Wiles then apparently joined the 11th Missouri Cavalry.

Extent 0.1 linear feet (1 folder)

Format Correspondence, Diaries, Personal narratives

User-Contributed Transcription Robet LeslieRobert

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Archival Collection Title Midwest Manuscript Collection, Robert Leslie Wiles journal

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Midwest MS Wiles

BibID 183037

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 2235px × 3390px 21.71 MB

Filename 991830378805867_midwest_ms_wiles_00001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11FDA0