Aaron Hart- Aaron Hart was born in 1827, in Kentucky. Aaron moved in Indiana when he was 22 years old. Aaron Hart had lived in hendricks county, Indiana. He had gotten married two times. His first wife had died soon after their marriage. The first wife’s name was Ury Ann. His second wife’s name was Margaret. His two wives were both sisters to each other. His wife’s name was Margaret McKinney, and his two sons were John W. Hart and William Hart. His daughter was Cora P. Hart. He and his family were methodists. Aaron Hart served as the Private of the Company I, in the 9th Indiana Calvary Regiment. There was a total of 236 people who died in the 9th regiment. The soldiers mostly died from illnesses. They didn’t go into major battles, but they did go into small fights with the other side. However, Aaron Hart was not one of them. He wrote the letter in 1864, from the District of North Alabama. Hart was writing to his whole family. Hart’s letter mostly says things about missing/dead soldiers. In his letter Hart also says that everyone is excited to get more reinforcements. Hart mustered in January 15, 1864. Aaron Hart died on July 10, 1865. Aaron Hart’s death was caused by health issues, and he died at home.
William D. Smith Smith was born on December 15, 1838 and died on July 22, 1864. He was the ninth child of James and Hannah Smith. William D. Smith was in three different battles, Mission Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, and the Battle of Atlanta. William D. Smith was a Co. A in the 7th Indiana Volunteer Regiment and he was private, rank in and rank out. He was a Sergeant in Co. A of the 53rd Indiana Volunteer Regiment. Rank in, he was a Sergeant and rank out, he was First Lieutenant. After the 7th Regiment, Indiana Infantry our soldier went to the 53rd regiment because the 7th regiment was released and most of them retired or could join a new regiment. Most soldiers joined a new regiment, like our soldier. The 7th regiment only last for 3 months and the 53rd Regiment lasted for three years, in which William D. Smith died in. During the 7th Regiment they lost during service, 1 Enlisted man killed and 2 Enlisted men by disease. During the 53rd Regiment they lost during service, 9 Officers and 98 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 248 Enlisted men by disease and in total, 359. William D. Smith was killed in action at the Battle of Georgia on July 22, 1864. The letter was written on April 28, 1863 and he was writing to his brother, Bob. The letter was written during the time he was in his 53rd regiment. The letter talked about how the battles have done and how they have been doing. Also, the letter talked about money and the shelters that they are staying at. We are finding out more and more as we go and he only gets more interesting.
William H. Gay William H. Gay is writing to a friend, Mr. Hadley, while he is in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 5 1864. He was in the 7th regiment Indiana Cavalry and mustered in October 1, 1863. In the letter he talks about raids that he has been in along with some of the places and things that he had seen. In one of the raids he talks about getting horses and destroying the fields and land. He was on the Union side and went into the army and came out as a Private. His regiment went to many states such as Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. In his regiment over 250 of his members died.
S.S. Wills- In this letter, Wills was writing to his parents and other family members. He mostly spoke of animals on the farm (shoats, his mare, hogs), and gave orders for certain things on the farm. He wanted to know how his family was doing as well. Wills also spoke of the war and contemplated whether it would end and how would it end. The letter also includes information on camp life. It was written from Fort (Camp) Jim Mitchell in Gallatin, TN on December 10th, 1862. S.S. Wills mentioned different places all around the east. Wills fought for the Union as part of the 70th Regiment, Indiana Infantry Company C.
Thomas C. Rose
In the letter, Thomas C. Rose is writing to his brother and sister back at home on August 17, 1862. He tells his siblings that he and his brother Lewis are doing fine, and he describes the battle scene…and his horsie.
Lewis M. Rose
Lewis’ letter was to his wife talking about things he was concerned about back home while he was in the war. He also discussed where he was before and where he was when he wrote the letter.
John Hadley Mills
In this letter John Hadley Mills talks about how he is at Camp Loomis in Tennessee. He was worried about his family’s health condition and he explains how he’s in still good health. He talks about the camp and what they are doing at the time that he is writing the letter.
Mordecai C. Stanley - Mordecai C. Stanley served in the 11th Indiana Cavalry. Stanley was part of the Union Army, and he traveled to several places around the United States. According to our sources, Mr. Stanley was sending a letter to Elwood Stanley. In the letter he mentions that he was traveling from Coatesville, Indiana to Amo, Indiana. Mordecai’s love for Molasses was a favorite during his traveling.
Taylor Murphy - This letter was written by Maria J. Hemming to the Secretary of War, Robert Lincoln, about the pension that she thinks she deserves from the government because her husband, Taylor Murphy, served in the Civil War. Taylor Murphy served in the 42nd Indiana Infantry in Company K during the Civil War and was accused to have deserted the military. While serving in the military however, his company was well known and served in various battles. A few such as the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky was a victory for the Union. During this battle, the Union skirmished with the Confederate calvary and due to a lack of supplies and men, caused the Confederates to withdraw. Most of the soldiers from the 42nd suffered from illnesses and wounds caused by battle but, it was unknown how or when Taylor Murphy died. After the war, his wife, Maria J. Hemming, wrote a letter asking for pension for Taylor's service in the war. The military and government believed she did not deserve pension due to Taylor's actions of deserting his army yet it was unclear if she recieved the money or not.