Processed by
Paul Brockman
25 June 2001
Revised 8 November 2001
Manuscripts 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 |
3 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize folders, 3 photograph albums, oversize photographs |
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COLLECTION |
1829–1904 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Brassert, 265 E. South St., Bloomfield, Indiana, May 1978 |
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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 |
David Enoch Beem papers (M 0015) |
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ACCESSION |
1978.0508 |
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NOTES: |
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Elijah H. C. Cavins (1832–1910) lived most of his life near Bloomfield in Greene County, Indiana, where he was a prominent lawyer and politician. When the Civil War broke out, Cavins abandoned his law practice to organize a company for the 14th Indiana Volunteer Regiment, the regiment with which he was to serve for all but a few months of his three-year enlistment. He fought at the battles of Winchester, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and numerous smaller engagements, and eventually rose to the rank of colonel. When his enlistment expired in June 1864, Governor Morton appointed him to the position Adjutant General for the Southern Division of the state.
After the war, Cavins returned to his law practice in Bloomfield, but he retained his interest in the Civil War. He was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, served on the Indiana Battlefield Commissions for Antietam and Gettysburg and compiled records of the 14th Indiana, and wrote articles and speeches on military and political affairs.
Sources:
Original collection guide.
A Guide to Manuscript Collections of the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana State Library, pp.29–30.
The main portion of the collection contains Cavins' correspondence, the largest part of which are the 151 letters written by Col. Cavins to his wife and other family members during the Civil War, 1861–64. In these letters Cavins discussed the regiment's activities, the soldiers' camp life, morale, the abilities of commanding officers, the effects of the war on Virginia, and the reactions to dissent at home. Also included is Cavins' diary for 1864 and official reports of the 14th Indiana and its actions at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. There are transcripts and an index to Cavins' Civil War letters.
Papers relating to Cavins' interest in veterans and historical materials relating to the 14th Indiana and the Civil War include accounts written by other members of his regiment on their battlefield action. Other items include Cavins' appointment to the Gettysburg Memorial Commission and relating correspondence, 1885–95, and the Constitution, Minutes & By-Laws of the Veteran Company of the Indiana Legion, 1863–65. Also included are general papers and documents of the Cavins, 1829–1904.
Photographs in the collection include group portraits of the 14th Indiana Regiment at reunions. Albums contain portraits of Civil War generals and soldiers, and family photographs.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Letters to Family, 1861 |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Letters to Family, Jan.–May 1862 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Letters to Family, June–Dec. 1862 |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Letters to Family, Jan.–May 1863 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Letters to Family, June–Sept. 1863 |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Letters to Family, Oct. 1863–Nov. 1864 |
Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Letters Written by Cavins' Family & Friends, 1861–65 |
Box 1, Folder 7 |
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Diary, 1864; Military Correspondence, Letters, Orders & Reports, 1862–64 |
Box 1, Folder 8 |
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Letter Book |
Box 1, Folder 10 |
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Muster rolls and Morning Reports, 1861–64 |
OM 0011, Folder 2 |
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Poem by Cook with 14th Indiana, n.d.; copy of Letter from Confederate Diplomat to Russian Grand Admiral, April 1862 |
Box 2, Folder 4 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Partial Histories of Companies B, d & E sent to Cavins, n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 12 |
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Writings on Military Matters, Drafts of Articles & Speech, 1864, n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 13 |
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Appointment to Gettysburg Memorial Commission & Correspondence, 1885–95 |
Box 2, Folder 1 |
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Notes on Military Matters, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 2 |
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Draft of Speech for GAR Reunion, 1900 |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Indiana Legion, Veterans Company, Constitution, Minutes & By-Laws, 1863–65 |
Box 2, Folder 10 |
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Scrapbook of Newspaper Clippings Regarding the Civil War, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 11 |
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Three Photograph Albums of Civil War Generals |
Visual Collections: Albums |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Correspondence, 1886–1910 |
Box 1, Folder 9 |
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Notebook on Law; Draft of Speech for 1880 Election |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Deeds & Appointments |
Box 2, Folder 5 |
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Wills, Cemetery Papers, Family Histories |
Box 2, Folder 6 |
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Family Financial Papers, 1865–1904 |
Box 2, Folder 7 |
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General Materials, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 8 |
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Newspaper Clippings |
Box 2, Folder 9 |
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History of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 12 |
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Documents and Appointments, 1829–50 |
OM 0011, Folder 1 |
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Cavins Family Photographs |
Visual Collections: Manuscript Photographs; OVA & OVB |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, Index |
Box 3, Folder 1 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, June–Dec. 1861 |
Box 3, Folder 2 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, Jan.–May 1862 |
Box 3, Folder 3 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, June–Dec. 1862 |
Box 3, Folder 4 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, Jan. 1863–May 1863 |
Box 3, Folder 5 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, June–Sept. 1863 |
Box 3, Folder 6 |
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Transcripts, Correspondence, 1863–64 |
Box 3, 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://157.91.92.2/
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, M 0042).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.