Processed by
Emily Castle
January 2006
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
7 folders |
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COLLECTION |
1862–66 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Thomas E. Reimer, Wilmette, IL, 23 November 1999 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
2000.0137 |
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NOTES: |
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In order to maintain massive armies during the Civil War a national draft started in the north. Following some state drafts in 1862, Congress adopted a selective conscription law in 1863 applicable to males twenty to forty-five. Avoiding unpopular occupational exemptions, the lawmakers authorized draftees to escape personal service by hiring a substitute or paying the government a commutation fee of three hundred dollars, which, although equal to a worker’s annual wages, was less than the current price of substitutes. Peace Democrats claimed it was a “rich man’s war but poor man’s fight,” and when military provost marshals began conscripting, thousands evaded or actively resisted the draft. The uprisings in Evansville were because of draft resistance and were the strongest in the state during the time.
Oliver P. Morton was best known as the Civil War governor in Indiana. When the Civil War broke out Morton quickly demonstrated his resolute determination to defend the Union and immediately raised 6,000 soldiers to answer Lincoln's call for men. Throughout the war, Indiana—under Morton's leadership—met every call for more men. He mobilized the war effort in Indiana by raising money, implementing the production of military materiel, and maintaining the civilian morale. Most importantly Morton was "the Soldiers' friend" and Hoosiers, whenever possible, were well cared for in the Civil War because of Morton's personal efforts.
On 8 May 1866, after being imprisoned for a year, Jefferson Davis was indicted for treason by a grand jury in Virginia. His counsel urged that the trial be held without delay, but the government declined to proceed urging the importance of the trial and the necessity of preparation for it. On 13 May 1867, he was brought before the court at Richmond on a writ of habeas corpus, and admitted to bail in the amount of $100,000. He was never brought to trial, a nolle prosequi being entered by the government in his case in December 1868, and he was also included in the general amnesty of the south that month.
Sources:
Ligget, Kristopher and Larry. Indiana in the Civil War, 2005 [cited 5 January 2006]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://www.indianainthecivilwar.com)
Museum of History. Evisum Inc, 2000 [cited 5 January 2006]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://www.jeffersondavis.net/)
The collection consists of five letters written in Indiana during the early 1860’s, one protest, and one bank draft. The collection is arranged in chronological order and includes a letter written in Valparaiso from a man who is interested in a lecturer position. Another letter was written in Middletown on General George McClellan stationary about local men raising money for arms and ammunition, with the author asking for someone official to come and take charge of the situation. Two letters are about a violent uprising in Evansville, one mentioning the activities going on there and the other from Governor O.P. Morton saying that the uprising needs to be put down. The last letter is also written by Morton and is to President Andrew Johnson suggesting that Johnson telegraph the Mississippi Legislature to urge them to adopt constitutional amendment. The protest is also to President Johnson and is signed by citizens of Indiana regarding the pardons of Jefferson Davis and other rebel leaders.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Letter from Valparaiso, Indiana with envelope, 16 Aug. 1862 |
Folder 1 |
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Letter from Middletown, Indiana written on Gen. McClellan stationary, 6 Apr. 1863 |
Folder 2 |
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Letter from Evansville, Indiana written on congressional stationary, 2 Aug. 1865 |
Folder 3 |
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Letter from Gov. O.P. Morton written on Cataract House in Niagara Falls stationary, 8 Aug. 1865 |
Folder 4 |
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Bank draft from Moyer & Carll Bankers, 30 Oct. 1866 |
Folder 5 |
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Letter and envelope from Gov. O.P. Morton to President Andrew Johnson, n.d. |
Folder 6 |
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A Protest: Against the pardon of Jefferson Davis and other leading traitors and murderers. Respectfully addressed to President Andrew Johnson, by Major John Hogarth Lozier, n.d. |
Folder 7 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, SC 2253).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.