This collection contains correspondence relating to the Umbarger family from 1863-1867 and 1870-1883. Letters detail the family's experiences in the Civil War and their migration from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia, to Coss County, Indiana, shortly after the war's close.

This collection contains forty-five letters pertaining to the Umbarger family that migrated from Lee County, Virginia to Coss County, Indiana shortly after the Civil War. The dates of these letters range from 1863-1867 and 1870-1883, and are grouped into the following six sections of Civil War correspondence, correspondence between siblings John and Mattie Umbarger, general family correspondence, business correspondence, poems, and empty envelopes.

The Civil War correspondence includes nine letters written between Umbarger family members and two letters written by Virginian confederate soldiers during the years of 1863-1867. Of the family letters, three are written between John Umbarger, a confederate soldier and his sister back home; four others are penned by Jonas Umbarger, a union supporter. In general, these letters discuss family and war news, food prices, the lack of work opportunities in Wythe County, and the hardships of soldier camp life. In a letter dating April 25, 1863, John Umbarger tells his sister that he has been barefoot for three weeks because of the difficulties involved in obtaining shoes. The letters also express a range of sentiments, from homesickness to the more unpleasant-- such as those found racist remarks. In a letter dated May 6th, 1866, Jonas Umbarger remarks to his sons and sister: " I am a union man [...] Lord save us from the abolitionist and from negro equality but I hope meanwhile have peace and constitution."

The general Umbarger family correspondence includes 38 letters written between siblings, John and Mattie, as well as letters between other family members and friends. These letters discuss family events, visits and other current events. In a letter to brother dated October 24th, 1880, Mattie complains about current politics: "ever man and woman and child that is bige enough to talk goes to Buraleyes & hollow for garfield and hancock I get tired enoough having them hollow-going along." Another interesting letter in this section contains a prose poem about a love gone sour in which various ingredients are given relationship attributes, such as "domestich industry forget me not true love" denotes "flax."

There are three letters in business correspondence. Written in 1870, the first is written by a Margaret Reder and addressed to John Umbarger at Bunker Hill, Virginia; it discusses the terms of renting a farm. The second one is written in Howard, Indiana in 1880 by Daniel Mcbolle and talks about terms of rent and job prospects. The third is a notice of a debt repaid and was written in Illinois a year later.

Of the seven short and simple poems in this collection, four are written in 1881 by Mattie Umbarger and focus on religious and romantic themes. One poem dated May 27th reads: Press forward, press forward The Prize is in view, A crown of bright glory is waiting for you. The other three poems are all undated and composed by non-family members.