Manuscripts

Oscar A. Wikeen letter to Roger Gurley

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Description: Eleven-page letter by Oscar A. Wikeen to his friend Roger Gurley, 1st Lieutenant, 42nd Infantry Division, Co. A ("Rainbow Division"). Wikeen wrote this letter from the American Embarkation Center in France after the war had ended. In the letter he talks about his experience in the war, and what he's been doing since the end of the war. He talks in detail about his experience in the Battle of Lorraine, the Chateau-Thierry Drive, and his training in Paris. He talks about the "boche" soldiers, the dead bodies he saw, the beauty of a night attack, his comrades that would not be going home, etc. After the war, Wikeen traveled throughout France. The letter is written on "American YMCA" letterhead.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1919, March 16.
Call number: mssHM 83109
Creator: Wikeen, Oscar A (1894-)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance

Enoch Root letters

Manuscripts

The letters are addressed to several of Root's friends and family members while he was traveling around Europe (1858-1859), mining in Colorado (1862), and in the Union Army at Sulphur Springs, and Pilot Knob, Missouri (1863). In the letters Root talks about his travels throughout Switzerland and France, and impending war in Europe, and his experience in the mining town of Laurette, CO, now known as Buckskin Joe, CO. In the letters before he joined the U.S. army, Root often conveys his feelings about slavery and the Civil War; in the two letters after he joined the army, he talks about his experience as a soldier, although his regiment had yet to see action

mssHM 63411-63427

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André Michaux letters to André Thouin

Manuscripts

In these letters, which are written to André Thouin, Michaux's friend and chief gardener of the King's Garden (King Louis XV), both Michauxs discuss their trip to America to study its botany. They talk about the trees and plants they see, grow and collect. More specifically, André talks about some local gardens he grew to produce seeds and specimens. Several of the letters include lists of American trees, plants and seeds, some of which were shipped to France (André worries about the shipments getting to France amongst the chaos of the political upheaval). In one letter, André talks about hoping to correct some of Linnaeus' errors and beat any English publication of his findings. In the letter by Thouin, he talks about the political environment in France (at the beginning of the French Revolution). Eight of the letters are written by André Michaux; two by his son François André; one by André Thouin; and one by Andre Claude Limozin. The letters by the Michauxs are written from New York, NY, Charleston, SC and Philadelphia, PA. All of the letters are in French.

mssHM 71883-71894

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Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to Hiram T. Graves

Manuscripts

Crosby contests his suspension from the Knights Templar for "non payment of dues." He states that he "handed the full amount of fees for initiation, to one of the Sir Knights who attended my preparation and initiation." He defends himself by explaining his financial situation at the time and currently, and by listing his various political contributions in California during his career. He relates that he had to end his political career due to problems with his vision. He hopes that he has provided a sufficient case for reinstatement, and would like to remain in good graces in case his son becomes a Knight Templar one day.

mssHM 21251

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William B. Le Couteulx letter to "Mon Cher Monsieur et ami,"

Manuscripts

This letter, written in French by Le Couteulx in Buffalo, New York, to a friend in France, describes in detail the Franklin shipwreck off New York and how the author and his family were saved. The letter also provides specific information about the Know Nothing Party, a political movement of the time characterized by anti-immigration, mostly anti-Catholic, sentiment. More specifically Le Couteulx talks about a Catholic church being burned to the ground and attempts to "burn other churches." He also talks about Catholic clergy being fined as a result of their actions.

mssHM 77963

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Letter to Jay Amos Barrett

Manuscripts

In this letter, Tyson talks about his experiences crossing the Platte River Valley while working for a freight business. He talks about the different sites he passed, various camping areas, and the freightage firm Russell, Majors and Waddell.

mssHM 68389

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William H. Carlisle letters

Manuscripts

Two letters written by William H. Carlisle in January and April 1863 to his sister S. R. Carlisle in Marion County, Iowa. In the letters, Carlisle talks about his personal experiences in the war including his behavior, he assured them he was not drinking whiskey or playing cards, and his financial situation. In his second letter, which is very light and difficult to read, he talks about hearing canons at Vicksburg. Both letters are on patriotic stationery and include matching envelopes.

mssHM 83790-83791

Oscar A. Wikeen letter to Roger Gurley

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Enoch Root letters

André Michaux letters to André Thouin

Elisha Oscar Crosby letter to Hiram T. Graves

William B. Le Couteulx letter to "Mon Cher Monsieur et ami,"

Letter to Jay Amos Barrett

William H. Carlisle letters