Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Indiana, Pennsylvania in the Civil War

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About This Collection

The Indiana Pennsylvania in the Civil War Era project includes primary sources including letters, diaries, and modern and historical photographs, now held in the collections of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Special Collections or the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County, that document the experience of men and women of Indiana County, PA during the Civil War era. Central to the collection are the papers of the White family including a diary kept by Pennsylvania State Senator Harry White, who fought for the North during the Civil War and was imprisoned in Libby Prison and a number of other prisons across the South; the letters of his father Thomas White, a prominent judge who was involved in the organization of the Republican Party in Pittsburgh; correspondence of Richard White, a brother who also served in the Union Army during the Civil War; and letters to members of the White family from the Pennsylvania governor and high ranking representatives of the federal government. Also included are other diaries of Civil War soldiers from the Indiana County area. Together these primary sources provide a glimpse into the experience of Civil War soldiers and their families at home and political life during the war.

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Letter from James Graham to Elisabeth Graham, March 18, [1865?]

Graham, James--Correspondence. Graham, James--Military service. United States. Army. Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 206th (1864-1865)--Biography. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military life--Union--Personal narratives. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources.

Letter sent by James Graham to his sister Elisabeth Graham from picket duty with the 206th Regiment on March 18. James has been placed on picket duty to replace another soldier who is ill. He reports that his previous duty included building a "Corduroy Bridge." He notes that the weather is very pleasent. He also discusses how it is better to be an enlisted soldier than a drafted one. James believes that drafted soldiers are treated "not much better than mules" and they are forced to go wherever their officers tell them. He admits that not all officers do that, but he also says that drafted men and substitutes are watched more carefully than enlisted men. James also thinks that new recruits are sometimes treated poorly by older soldiers, but he comments that life in his own regiment is very agreeable; his regiment is superior in every way to others, and his officers are kind and humble. Finally, he asks his sister to knit and send him a pair of socks.

Letter from James Graham to his sister, Agnes Graham, Richmond, April 26, 1865

This is a letter from James Graham to his sister, Agnes Graham, written from Richmond, and dated for April 26, 1865. In this letter, Graham mentions that he has received six letters from home, and that he has just returned to his regiment after an extended absence. He says that he has not been on duty yet, and that his brigade is there, as along with the sharp shooters. He says that one of the shooters has been killed and that only one or two had been wounded. He also says that none of his Company has been hurt and that he was mistaken about the bennets (?) having been wounded or killed-- they all returned safely. He wishes that he could return home for the summer to work on the family farm, but he expects he will have to spend the summer in Richmond. He writes that two divisions arrived in Richmond the day before this letter was written, and that he has been moved to five different quarters. He mentions that his regiment stays in one place for only four or five days.

Letter from James Graham to his sister, December 12, 1864

This is a letter from James Graham to his sister, dated December 12, 1864. Graham writes that he and another soldier, James Hannah, were to go out on picket when the rebels began to fire on the Cavalry. Graham speculates that the rebels thought that the Union soldiers were still asleep and would be unprepared for their attack. The Union troops were ready, however. The rebels did not attack Graham's regiment, but the picket line was driven in at several places. He mentions an incident in which his regiment's Lieutenant Colonel was riding along the picket line when the rebels began to fire. According to Graham, the Lieutenant Colonel was able to trick the Rebels into thinking that there was a battalion waiting for them, when in fact there was none. He notes that work on Dutch Gap is extremely dangerous and that soldiers who volunteer are well paid and are discharged after eight days of work. Graham concludes that there are many who believe that the war will soon be over, but he does not see any signs of it ending.

Letter from James Graham to his sister, Mary Ann, Camps in the field, Virginia, December 26, 1864

A letter from James Graham to his sister, Mary Ann, written from the camps in the field in Virginia, and dated December 26, 1864. James reports that he is well and in a hopeful state of mind. He mentions that his camp will remain where it is for a while, but that they will probably leave for another location when the Dutch Gap excavation is completed. James believes that will soon be accomplished.

Letter from James Graham to his sister, Picketline at White Oak Swamp, Virginia, November 29, 1864

A letter from James Graham to his sister, written from the picket line at White Oak Swamp, Virginia, and dated November 29, 1864. James reports that all is well, and that he received money from her in a previous letter. He describes in detail how the picket line is organized and how often he is on duty. He explains that there are few interruptions on picket duty which enables him to write letters except when the commanding officers are present and he and the other pickets must stand at attention for inspection. He complains that the sutlers [civilian merchants] take twenty-five cents out of every dollar when money is exchanged. He writes that he has heard rumors that the war will end soon, but he doubts that this is true.

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