OM 0445,
BV 3562
Processed by
Kathryn M. Wilmot
June 2007
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 |
Manuscript Materials: 3 document cases, 4 oversized
manuscript folders, 1 bound volume, 1 flat file folder |
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COLLECTION |
1817–1994 (bulk ca. 1860–1940) |
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PROVENANCE: |
John S. Burns, Gosport, IN, September 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 |
None |
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RELATED |
M 0800 (Strong papers include letters from Leroy S.
Mayfield); Cemeteries--Indiana--Monroe County clipping file; |
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ACCESSION |
1999.0312 |
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NOTES: |
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The materials in this collection belong to the Mayfield and Sanders families of Monroe and Owen Counties in Indiana. The families were related through marriage.
Mayfield family: Leroy Samuel Mayfield was born ca. 1842 in Monroe County, Indiana to Nicholas Smith Mayfield and Sarah E. Smith. Other children of the couple included Susan (born ca. 1839), Sarah S. (born ca. 1841), Stacy (born ca. 1843), and Joseph M. (born ca. 1844). Nicholas Mayfield’s second marriage to Mary Ann Dillman resulted in a child named Julia. Julia later married Adoniram Judson Sanders, who lived next door to the Mayfield family in Richland Township, near Bloomington.
Leroy Mayfield mustered into “I” Company, 22nd Regiment Indiana Infantry as a private on 15 August 1861. He was promoted to 1st sergeant, sergeant, corporal, 2nd lieutenant, and finally to captain. Among other assignments, the 22nd Indiana participated at Milford Mound, the Battles of Pea Ridge, the Siege of Corinth, the Battle of Perryville, the Battle of Stone’s River, the Battle of Chickamauga, the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, the Battle of Resaca, and the assault on Kennesaw Mountain. During his service, Mayfield was wounded at Missionary Ridge and again at Kennesaw Mountain. He mustered out on 24 July 1865. The 1870 census indicates he was living in Richland Township, Monroe County and teaching school. He died on 23 September 1870 and was buried in Vernal-Mayfield Cemetery.
Leroy’s brother, Joseph M. Mayfield, enlisted on 18 March 1864 as a private into Company I of the 22nd Indiana. Joseph Mayfield was mortally wounded during the Battle of Jonesboro on 1 September 1864. He died of his injuries on 17 December 1864 (the Civil War database indicates 17 September 1864, although this is likely not the case based on information in the collection).
Sanders family: Adoniram Judson Sanders (known as A. J. or Judson) was born in Monroe County, Indiana on 20 April 1843 to Luke William Sanders and Mary Stansbury. He mustered into Company B, 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry as a private on 24 September 1862. The 59th Regiment participated in the Yazoo Pass Expedition, the Battle of Port Gibson, the battles of Raymond and Champion’s Hill, the Siege of Vicksburg, the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, Sherman’s march to the sea, the Siege of Savannah, and the Battle of Bentonville.
Sanders married Julia Mayfield on 25 April 1867 and they had at least five children: Ura, Sam, Omar, Ola, and Roy. After the war, he worked alternately as a farmer, miller, and lumberman, opening a lumber business named A. J. Sanders & Son. The family lived in various Indiana towns including Newark, Green County, IN; Richland Township, Monroe County, IN; and Gosport, Owen County, IN. The 1910 census states Sanders is widowed and living with his two children Ura and Omar. Julia died 26 May 1899 and Judson died 10 November 1916.
Sources:
Information in the collection.
LDS Familysearch. Available at http://www.familysearch.org
Ancestry Library Edition. Available at: http://www.ancestrylibrary.com
American Civil War Research database. Available at: http://www.civilwardata.com
Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System. Available at: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss
The collection is divided into four series: Correspondence, Diaries, and Artifacts, 1860–1944; Regimental History and Reunions, 1890–1939; Cemetery and Church Records, 1817–1994; Family Photographs, 1861–1932, n.d.
Series 1: Correspondence, Diaries, and Artifacts, 1860–1944 consists of the Civil War correspondence, diaries, and uniform coat of Leroy Samuel Mayfield, the Civil War correspondence of Adoniram Judson Sanders, and the diary of Julia Mayfield.
In his letters to his brother Joseph M. Mayfield, Captain Leroy S. Mayfield discloses information on his life as a soldier, his commanding officers, deserters (both Union and Confederate), skirmishes and battles, guard and picket duty, the cost of food and supplies, the health and attitude of the company, and his opposition to the 1863 anti-war politics in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Mayfield reveals the details of a November 1863 ceremony for the execution of two Union deserters, one named Benjamin from the 44th Illinois Regiment and one named Erastus C. Daley from the 88th Illinois. Battles described include the 1862 Battle of Perryville (and the death of James H. Pettus) and the 1863 Battle of Missionary Ridge where Mayfield was wounded in the right arm. Mayfield was also severely wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in June 1864. His cousin Sergeant Copernicus H. Coffey served with him and died there. Throughout the correspondence, Leroy Mayfield encourages his brother Joseph to stay in school and not join the army. Joseph Mayfield eventually joined the 22nd Regiment Indiana Infantry and was mortally wounded during the Battle of Jonesboro on 1 September 1864.
Leroy Mayfield’s diaries date from 17 August 1863–13 December 1863, and 23 March 1864–30 June 1864. The diaries provide more detailed accounts of battles; troop, steamboat, and supply wagon movements; dead and wounded soldiers; and artillery used during the Chickamauga and Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaigns. Mayfield vividly describes the battles at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Altoona Hills, and Kennesaw Mountain. The captain’s military uniform coat in the collection is assumed to have been Leroy Mayfield’s.
Most of the Sanders correspondence consists of Civil War letters written by A. J. Sanders to his parents in Indiana, although there is one letter written to Sanders from his friend James H. Pettus (who later died at the Battle of Perryville). Sanders describes camp life, skirmishes, illness, and deaths within his regiment (including an accidental shooting and the deaths of Peter Demott and Sergeant Alexander). He mentions Yazoo Pass, Champion’s Hill, the Affair at Madison Station, and the Siege of Savannah. Sanders discusses receiving news of Grant’s campaigns and battles and Sherman’s march to the sea. While in Etowah Station, Georgia, he describes guarding the railroad and relates the poor condition of Georgia residents due to Sherman’s invasion. Sanders often mentions political issues, including his anger with Indiana’s politicians in 1863 who opposed the war (likely those on the “butternut ticket”), as well as those involved in the 1864 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He also discusses his regiment’s views on the 1865 presidential election. Sanders refers to the excitement in camp upon hearing of Governor Morton’s re-election. Sanders often mentions Lieutenant John S. Hardin and Joseph, Jessie, and Leroy S. Mayfield in his letters, expressing his sadness at the news of Joseph Mayfield’s fatal injury.
Julia Mayfield’s diary spans approximately one year from 1870–71 and records her married life with Sanders. She frequently mentions family and neighborly visits, injuries, illnesses, deaths, weddings, celebrations, chores, church meetings, crops, and weather.
Series 2: Regimental Histories and Reunions, 1890–1939 consists of a historical sketch of the 22nd Regiment Indiana Infantry and reunion materials and history of members of the 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry. The reunion books for the 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry provide information on attendees, visitors, speeches, deaths, and celebratory events. There are newspaper clippings describing the reunions pasted within the books.
Series 3: Cemetery and Church records, 1817–1994 include records from the Vernal Baptist Church (to which the Mayfield and Sanders families belonged), trustee minutes for the Monroe County School District No. 4, transcriptions and histories for various Monroe and Owen County cemeteries and churches, and religious books owned by the families.
The Vernal Baptist Church record books provide the history of the church from 1817–1930 including membership, expulsions and dismissals, deaths, resolutions, meetings, and the resolution of arguments between church members. The names Mayfield, Sanders, and Coffey appear frequently throughout the minutes.
The trustee minutes for the Monroe County School District No. 4 provide information on the establishment of a school and its teachers from 1836–53. The book also contains a list of field and crop experimentations conducted in 1858, random notations that appear to relate to Vernal Baptist Church, and an obituary for Reverend George Goss.
The material on Owen and Monroe County cemeteries and churches was compiled by Ura Sanders (daughter of Judson and Julia). This material includes cemetery transcriptions and/or church histories for the following: Old Union Cemetery, Newell Burial Ground, Miller Burial Ground, Ephraim Goss Family Burial Ground, Faulkner Cemetery, Rone Cemetery, Caleb Stansbury Cemetery, Mayfield/Vernal Cemetery, Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Samaria Baptist Church and Cemetery, Little Mount Church and Cemetery, Richland Cemetery, Ellettsville Baptist Church, Quincy Church, Vernal Church, Bethel Church, and Mt. Carmel Church. There is also a newspaper clipping on the life of Francis Marion Harding.
Series 4: Family Photographs, 1861–1932, n.d. consists primarily of tintypes, cartes de visite, and cabinet cards of the Mayfield, Sanders, and other related families. There are also some photographs of other Bloomington, Indiana individuals. Some photographs are labeled with names such as Sanders, Mayfield, Hale, Hardin, Pering, Hixson, Pence, Marshall, Stansbury, Hansford, Morris, Harris, Rogers, Blankship, and Lukenbell. A note in album number two claimed “may be Uncle Sam Mayfield’s album.”
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Leroy S. Mayfield correspondence, Oct 1860–Dec 1862 |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Leroy S. Mayfield correspondence, Feb 1863–64; n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Leroy S. Mayfield Civil War diary, 17 Aug 1863–13 Dec 1863 |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Leroy S. Mayfield Civil War diary, 23 March 1864–30 June 1864 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Dates of Leroy S. Mayfield letters and diaries, ca. 1944 |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Captain’s uniform coat [assumed to belong to Leroy S. Mayfield], ca. 1861–65 |
Artifacts: 1999.0312 |
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Adoniram Judson Sanders correspondence, Oct 1861–Jan 1865 |
Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Julia Mayfield diary, 19 Oct 1870–21 Sept 1871 |
Box 1, Folder 7 |
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Loose items removed from Julia Mayfield diary, ca. 1870 |
Box 1, Folder 8 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Historical Sketch of the Twenty-Second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 9 |
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History of the 59th Indiana Infantry, n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 10 |
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Reunion book, 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, 1894–1919 |
Box 1, Folder 11 |
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Loose items removed from 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry reunion book, 1910–18 |
Box 1, Folder 12 |
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Reunion book, 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, 1902–18 |
Box 1, Folder 13 |
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Loose items removed from reunion book, 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, Gosport Enterprise, 31 January 1890; n.d. |
OM 0445, Folder 1 |
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Account of Civil War experiences by E.B. Reese, Co. B, 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, ca. 1930s |
Box 1, Folder 14 |
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Correspondence, reunion of 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, 1927–34 |
Box 1, Folder 15 |
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Civil War pensioners from 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, 1926–36 |
Box 2, Folder 1 |
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Article on Morgan’s Raid, ca. 1939 |
Box 2, Folder 2 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Vernal Baptist Church record book, volume one, 1817–55 |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Loose items removed from Vernal Baptist Church record book, volume one, ca. 1933–50 |
OM 0445, Folder 2 |
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Vernal Baptist Church record book, volume two, 1855–1930 |
BV 3562 |
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Loose items removed from Vernal Baptist Church record book, volume two, 1901–42; n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 4 |
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Vernal Sunday School superintendent’s roll book, 1854 |
Box 2, Folder 5 |
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Monroe County School District No. 4 trustee minutes and Vernal Baptist Church record book, 1836–87 |
Box 2, Folder 6 |
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Loose items removed from Monroe County School District No. 4 trustee minutes and Vernal Baptist Church record book, ca. 1886–1939; n.d. |
OM 0445, Folder 3 |
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Account of Vernal Baptist Church members in the Civil War, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 7 |
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List of members of Vernal Baptist Church, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 8 |
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Newspaper article on Vernal-Mayfield Cemetery, 15 June 1994 |
OM 0445, Folder 4 |
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Cemetery notebook for Owen and Monroe Counties, 1941–42 |
Box 2, Folder 9 |
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Loose material removed from cemetery notebook, 1941–42 |
Box 2, Folder 10 |
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Owen County, Indiana plat book removed from cemetery notebook, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 11 |
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First Baptist Church of Bloomington, Indiana 125th anniversary book, 1950 |
Box 2, Folder 12 |
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Loose items removed from First Baptist Church of Bloomington, Indiana 125th anniversary book, n.d. |
Box 2, Folder 13 |
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Baptist Map of Indiana: Showing Location and Names of Churches... , Rand McNally & Co. 1913 |
Oversize Manuscript: |
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The Union Bible Dictionary, 183[7?] |
Box 3, Folder 1 |
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The Holy Bible, 1844 |
Box 3, Folder 2 |
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The Church Member’s Handbook, 1849 |
Box 3, Folder 3 |
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The Sabbath School Harp hymn book, 1854 |
Box 3, Folder 4 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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“Joseph Mayfield died on battlefield, Dec. 17th 1864 22nd Regt. Ind. Volteers,” n.d. [Carte de Visite] |
Photographs: |
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“Lt. Leroy Samuel Mayfield, Co. In. 22nd Reg. Ind. Vol. Inf.” ca. 1861–65 [Carte de Visite] |
Photographs: |
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Adoniram Judson Sanders, ca.
1861–65 |
Photographs: |
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Reunion of 59th Regiment Indiana Infantry, 1932 [group seated on porch, names on verso] |
Photographs: |
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Baptism in river, n.d. [ca. 1900] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album one (1 of 2), n.d. [9 Cabinet Cards] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album one (2 of 2), n.d. [11 Cartes de Visite and 6 Cabinet Cards] |
Photographs: |
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6 Tintype photos removed from album one, n.d. |
Tintypes: |
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Family photos removed from album two (1 of 2), n.d. [17 Cartes de Visite, includes one of John Wilkes Booth] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album two (2 of 2), n.d. [20 Cartes de Visite] |
Photographs: |
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2 Tintype photos removed from album two, n.d. |
Tintypes: |
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Family photos removed from album three (1 of 3), n.d. [13 Cartes de Visite] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album three (2 of 3), n.d. [18 Cartes de Visite, includes one of General Grant] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album three (3 of 3), n.d. [9 Cartes de Visite] |
Photographs: |
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14 Tintype photos removed from album three, n.d. |
Tintypes: |
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Family photos removed from album
four, n.d. |
Photographs: |
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1 Tintype photo removed from album four, n.d. |
Tintypes: |
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Family photos removed from album five (1 of 3), n.d. [1 Carte de Visite, 12 Cabinet Cards] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album five (2 of 3), n.d. [11 Cabinet Cards] |
Photographs: |
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Family photos removed from album five (3 of 3), n.d. [Type: Cartes de Visite and Cabinet Cards] |
Photographs: |
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4 Tintype photos removed from album five, n.d. |
Tintypes: |
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Portrait of young woman [Tintype] |
Cased Images: |
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Family photo [daguerreotype] in case, label indicates “Sarah [?] – oldest daughter; Luke William Sanders (A.J.’s father); Mary (wife); 3 Mar [?] 1839, married Mary and Luke William.” |
Cased Images: |
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Oversized frame containing cased images of Luke William Sanders’ family [8 ambrotypes and tintypes], n.d. |
Oversize Cased Images: |
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, M 0908).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.