Processed by
Kathryn Wilmot, Dorothy Nicholson
January 2008
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 |
1 document case, 1 photographs folder |
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COLLECTION |
1860–1863 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Mary Ellen Ewbank Simpers, Crawfordsville, Ind.: Nov. 1976, July 2004 |
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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 |
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ACCESSION |
1976.1116, 2004.0402 |
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NOTES: |
Xerox copies formerly processed as SC 0560 |
Lancelot Chapman Ewbank was born 20 July 1837 in Parke County , Indiana to Lancelot Ewbank and Mary Blasdel (Blaisdell). In 1860, Lancelot Chapman was working as a carpenter in Liberty, Parke County, Indiana. His diary for this time period indicates he also taught school.
During the Civil War, Ewbank mustered into the 31st
Indiana Volunteer Infantry on
20 September 1861 as a private. He was promoted to corporal in July 1862 and
mustered out on 15 September 1864.
After the Civil War, Ewbank married Mary Ratcliff on 8 March 1865. The couple’s children included: John Howard, Susannah Elizabeth, Thomas Marshall, Barbara Louetta, William Jacob, Ethel Eldo, and Sarah Elzada. The 1880 census indicates Ewbank was a farmer and the family lived in Sugar Creek, Indiana.
Ewbank died on 21 July 1910 in Kingman, Indiana. He is buried in Cashatt Cemetery in Parke County.
Sources:
Information in the collection.
American Civil War Research database. Available at: http://www.civilwardata.com
Ancestry Library Edition. Available at: http://www.ancestrylibrary.com
The collection consists of two diaries written by Lancelot Chapman Ewbank during the period 1860–1863, two copy photographs of Ewbank and his family, a transcription of the diaries, and photocopies of the original diaries.
The first diary spans the period of October 1860–October 1861. Prior to the Civil War, Ewbank makes notations on his employers and jobs performed, items purchased, and attendance at funerals, weddings, church services, debates, and temperance lectures. During this time, Ewbank taught school and performed carpentry work such as building coffins and houses. Upon enlisting, Ewbank became a cook and continued with woodworking tasks in camp as assigned, making coffins, building a daguerreotype room, and repairing the hospital facility.
The second diary covers the period of November 1861–January 1863. Although the first page in the diary is inscribed “John A. Pike,” this is actually Ewbank’s continuation of his first diary. In this diary, Ewbank describes the countryside encountered during hard marches through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. He provides information on the capture of Fort Donelson, the Siege of Corinth, and the Battle of Stone’s River. Ewbank states Assistant Adjutant General Fairbanks fell off his horse in the middle of the Stone’s River battle due to drunkenness.
Throughout both diaries, Ewbank notes prisoners in camp, waiting on the sick, preparing for the enemy, skirmishes with “secesh” soldiers, drilling and picketing, drawing rations, and shortages of supplies and water.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Diary, Oct. 6, 1860–Oct. 31, 1861 |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Diary, Nov. 1, 1861–Jan. 6, 1863 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Diary transcription |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Diary photocopies, Oct. 6, 1860–Oct. 31, 1861 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Diary photocopies, Nov. 1, 1861–Jan. 6, 1863 |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Lancelot C. Ewbanks and family,
n.d. |
Photographs: |
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, M0950).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.