Manuscripts

Typescript : the forgotten battalion

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Description: Chronicle of Army life on the plains and specifically life at Fort Phil Kearny in present-day northeastern Wyoming along the Bozeman Trail with emphasis on the Fort Phil Kearny Massacre or Fetterman Fight of 1866 and the Wagon Box Fight of 1867. Written by William Murphy of Spokane, Washington, approximately 1937.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: approximately 1937.
Call number: mssHM 19828
Creator: Murphy, William (1847-)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Gift of F. Lackley, June 3, 1952.
Dimensions

Lauren Winfield Aldrich papers

Manuscripts

The group includes a handwritten draft and a typed transcript of Aldrich's manuscript entitled "Brief reminiscences of the soldiers life on the plains and in the mountains during the early days of 1867-8-9 to 70." This memoir discusses Aldrich's experiences serving as an army scout in Nebraska and Wyoming at forts along the route of the Union Pacific Railroad construction. Aldrich was assigned to Fort Laramie, Fort Russell, Fort Fetterman, and Fort Kearny. He describes his regiment's skirmishes with the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Sioux Indians, as well as their dealings with the Pawnee scouts. Aldrich also talks about a treaty with Chief Red Cloud, his relationship with Major Frank J. North and Captain Luther H. North, and an expedition into the Yellowstone River Valley. Also included are several pieces of correspondence, certificates, and discharge papers related to Aldrich's military career and his duties for the National Indian War Veterans

mssHM 65812-65821

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George McKinley Murrell correspondence

Manuscripts

The collection consists of letters written by George M. Murrell describing his overland journey in the spring of 1849 as far as Fort Kearny, Nebraska. Other topics discussed are river travel, life along the wagon trail, wagon train organization, and interactions with Native Americans. After his arrival in Sacramento, California, in September 1849, the letters deal with mining and business ventures in California Gold Rush country near Coloma. The collection also contains two photographs of Murrell, approximately 1860.

mssHM 36338-36403

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George McKinley Murrell correspondence

Manuscripts

mssHM 36338-36403

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Photograph of John F. Kennedy taken November 13, 1958, later used as basis for 1964 U.S. postage stamp, first day cover and typed letter

Visual Materials

Inscribed black-and-white photograph of John F. Kennedy, signed by William S. Murphy, dated Nov. 13, 1958 (the date the photograph was taken), that was later used as the basis for a 1964 five-cent U.S. stamp. With 3 items relating to the image including a typed 1-page letter signed by Murphy, June 28, 1977, addressed to Paul Johnston, on "Los Angeles Times" letterhead. In the letter, Murphy recounts the circumstances behind his Kennedy portrait). Accompanied by an envelope with the First Day Cover postage stamp, cancelled in Boston, Mass., on May 29, 1964, with "First Day of Issue" stamped below, and signed by Murphy; and a large manila envelope, addressed to Paul Johnston.

photPF 20227

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Riggin/Pettyjohn family papers

Manuscripts

About one-half of the correspondence is made up of letters between James C. Riggin and his wife Rebeca Jane Pettyjohn. The other half of the correspondence is made up of letters written by various members of the Pettyjohn family. The letters tell of the journey to California along the Oregon Trail, and discuss, in detail, Fort Kearny; Fort Laramie; Fort Des Moines and Keokuk, Iowa; and Sacramento, and Yuba County, California. The letters also describe life in a California gold mining town including gold discoveries, prices of supplies, and rumors of murders in the area. Two of James C. Riggin's letters are on pictorial lettersheets. The collection also includes one account book, bills, receipts, and canceled checks.

mssHM 27960-27963, HM 63287-63326

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Diary (Typescript)

Manuscripts

A collection of 99 items from 1841 to 1967; the collection consists of diaries, letters, documents and manuscripts primarily by John Doyle Lee. There is a letter by William W. Bishop that includes a list of names of persons in and present at the Mountain Meadows Massacre (mssHM 31237). There are also letters by and to several of John D. Lee's wives. There are six volumes of diaries by John D. Lee which span the years 1846 to 1876, as well as several facsimiles of Lee's diaries dating 1841 to 1860, and one diary of his wife, Rachel Andora Woolsey Lee, from 1856 to 1860. Many of the items in the collection are contemporary copies or facsimiles.

mssHM 26336

Typescript : the forgotten battalion

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Lauren Winfield Aldrich papers

George McKinley Murrell correspondence

George McKinley Murrell correspondence

Photograph of John F. Kennedy taken November 13, 1958, later used as basis for 1964 U.S. postage stamp, first day cover and typed letter

Riggin/Pettyjohn family papers

Diary (Typescript)