Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department
Collection Information
Historical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Box and Folder Listing
Cataloging Information
Processed By:
Paul Brockman
7 December 1995
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VOLUME OF COLLECTION: |
1 manuscript box |
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COLLECTION DATES: |
Inclusive, 1858-1956, bulk, 1861-1865 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Butterfield and Butterfield, 220 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco, CA 94103, 30 November 1995 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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OTHER FINDING AIDS: |
None |
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RELATED HOLDINGS: |
Sarah Bailey Papers (SC 0040); George Harvey Papers (SC 2456); Sanford Foredice Papers (SC 2283); Smith, John T. A History of the 31st Regiment (E 506.5, 31st, .S55, 1900); Dillman, Henry F., A Diary Written by Henry Dillman During the Civil War (pam. Q., E 601, .D544, 1962) |
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ACCESSION NUMBER: |
1996.0137 |
John Day (1840-1926) was born in Catlin, Parke County, Indiana. In 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army as a member of the 31st Indiana Regiment, seeing action at the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. On 3 September 1864, Day was transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps and his military term expired twelve days later. Day returned to Parke County after the war where he married Mary Ann Ross in 1866. Three years later, the family moved west to Kansas where he spent the remainder of his life.
Source: Information in collection.
Terrell, Report of the Adjutant General, Indiana, Vol. 5, p. 53.
The bulk of the collection consists of Day's letters to his parents written while he was serving in the Union Army, November, 1861-1864. Letters were written from Calhoun and Glasgow, Kentucky; Pittsburgh Landing, Cripple Creek, and Nashville, Tennessee; and Corinth, Mississippi. Topics discussed in the letters include a continuing report of Day's health, inquiries about home and politics, and descriptions of battles and army life including the sending home of pay, the death of his brother, and his wounds suffered in battle and his hospital convalescence in Louisville. There also is correspondence between Day and family members after his military service, 1864-1923, and mainly concern family news.
The collection also includes Day's writings and poetry including a handwritten account of his Civil War reminiscences and other essays. Additional items includes a small amount of John Day's financial records including receipts, and John Day's memoirs, somewhat hidden in the back of two separate volumes. The first 82 handwritten pages are in the back of a family record book, the remainder are at the end of Philip Day's (John's father) ledger book from 1870-1891. Also contained in the collection are three of John Day's pocket diaries, 1863, 1865, 1872, G.A.R. ribbons and medals, visual images, newsclippings, and a printed history of the 31st Indiana Regiment by John T. Smith (1900), inscribed by Day to his family.
BOX 1: Correspondence and General Records, 1858-1956
FOLDER CONTENTS
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1 |
Letters to Family, Nov., 1861-Dec., 1862 |
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2 |
Letters to Family, March, 1863-Dec., 1863 |
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3 |
Letters to Family, Jan., 1864-Dec., 1864 |
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4 |
Correspondence, 1864-1872 |
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5 |
Poetry and Writings, 1858-1865 & n.d. |
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6 |
Financial & Personal Records, 1865-1895 & n.d. (see also VC & Artifacts) |
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7 |
Family Correspondence, 1923 |
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8 |
Writings & Civil War Reminiscences, n.d. |
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9 |
Pocket Diaries, 1863, 1865, 1872 |
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10 |
Family Record Book; John Day's Memoirs, Part 1 |
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11 |
Philip Day, Account Book, 1870-1891; John Day's Memoirs, Part 2 |
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12 |
Newsclippings & Printed Items, ca. 1860s-1956 & n.d., |
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13 |
Smith, History of the 31st Indiana Regiment, 1900 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
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