Newberry Library - Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Camp Defiance, Cairo, IL (officer elections, visiting town, religion, Missouri ex..., Theodore Watson letters, May 19, 1861

Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Camp Defiance, Cairo, IL (officer elections, visiting town, religion, Missouri ex..., Theodore Watson letters, May 19, 1861

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Open book Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Camp Defiance, Cairo, IL (officer elections, visiting town, religion, Missouri ex..., Theodore Watson letters, May 19, 1861

Title Watson, Theodore to John Watson, Camp Defiance, Cairo, IL (officer elections, visiting town, religion, Missouri ex..., Theodore Watson letters, May 19, 1861

Creator Watson, Theodore

Date May 19, 1861

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

Language English

Subjects United States, Soldiers, 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.

Extent 0.2 linear feet (10 items in 1 box)

Format Correspondence, Sources, Personal narratives, Manuscripts

User-Contributed Transcription Camp Defiance May 19th Dear Brother I recieved yours of the 13th and was glad to hear you were all well I am well well at present John for the life of me I cant think of anything new to tell you there is no excitement here whatever. we have had no election yet for Captain you say Bill McLane is down on Armstrong I suppose he tells that armstrong is not liked here. I will tell you why he is down on him. some of the boys dont try to learn anything and if he speaks alittle cross to them they say he is too strict. but he is not half strict enough if he was I believe I will vote for him Mitchell is to easy on us some of the boys want Jim munn for Captain but I would rather have most any one else but him he is too much of aboy to

Archival Collection Title Theodore Watson letters

Link to Catalog View finding aid | View record

Call Number Midwest MS Watson Box 1 Folder 5

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 1791px × 2885px 14.81 MB

File Created 6/26/2025 4:13:09 PM

Filename 998256018805867_midwest_ms_watson_box_00001_fol_00005_000020-0.tif

Unique Identifier NL12VVWG

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