Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives

THEODORE B. RIDLEN
PAPERS, 1863-1882


Collection #
SC 2486
OM 187


Table of Contents

User information
Historical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloguing information

Processed by
Charles Latham
31 May 1995


USER INFORMATION

VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 1 manuscript folder, 1 oversize folder

COLLECTION DATES: Inclusive 1863-1882; bulk 1863-1865

PROVENANCE: Mrs. Roger Burton, Cicero, IN, 28 April 1995

RESTRICTIONS: None

REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society

ALTERNATE FORMATS: None

OTHER FINDING AIDS: None

RELATED HOLDINGS: E 506.5 22ND .M27 1884 R. W. Marshall, An Historical Sketch of the 22nd Regiment...
(1884)

ACCESSION NUMBER: 95.0472


HISTORICAL SKETCH

Theodore B. Ridlen (born ca. 1844) was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, the son of John and Margaret (Robinson) Ridlen. In August 1861 he enlisted in Company H of the 22nd Indiana Infantry Regiment; he was listed as a farmer, living in Little York, in the northeast corner of Washington County. The 22nd Regiment, after serving in Missouri and Arkansas, moved to Tennessee and fought at Missionary Ridge and Kenesaw Mountain. Ridlen, by then a color corporal, was commended for his "cool daring" in the former engagement. The 22nd went on to participate in Sherman's attack on Atlanta and march to the sea, and in final engagements in North Carolina. Ridlen was promoted to sergeant on 23 July 1865 and was mustered out the next day. He later lived in Seymour.


SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection, filling one legal-size and one oversize folder, contains one letter, clippings, military papers, and two printed items.

The letter, written on 2 August 1863 by Ridlen to his brother Sam at home, says that he has "heard a good many tails about Millie," and doesn't know what to believe. The military papers trace Ridlen's military career, including his commendation. One clipping, dated 1905, relates the accomplishments of the 22nd Regiment; the other, undated, is an obituary of Ridlen's father.

Included are an undated Sunday School card inscribed "Katie Ridlen," and New Year's greetings for 1882 from Hollweg and Reese in Indianapolis.

In OM 187 are Ridlen's appointments as corporal (1864) and sergeant (1865).


CATALOGUING INFORMATION

MAIN ENTRY: Ridlen, Theodore B., b. ca. 1844

SUBJECT ENTRIES: Ridlen, Theodore B., b. ca. 1844

United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 22nd (1861-1865)

Hollweg and Reese China Company (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Soldiers--Indiana--Washington County

New Year cards--Indiana--Indianapolis

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources

Indiana--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources

END