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Thomas Watson Letters

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2008-005

Scope and Content

This collection contains photocopies of typed transcripts of the letters of Thomas Watson, a private in Company D, 93rd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War. The letters commence with Watson's training at Camp Douglas, Illinois, then follow his regiment's movements throughout the war. Writing to his parents and brother from camps in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, Watson provides descriptions of prisoners at Camp Douglas, his regiment's movements and battles, his environs, Southerners, and camp life. The letters are accompanied by a brief chronology of Watson's military activities and movements.

Dates

  • 1862 - 1866

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1844, Thomas Watson later moved with his family to Stevenson County, Illinois, where they engaged in farming and stockholding. Watson enlisted in Company D of the 93rd Illinois Infantry at Adeline, Illinois, on August 7, 1862, during the American Civil War. He trained with the regiment at Fort Douglas, Illinois, and participated in Grant's Vicksburg Campaign and Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Watson mustered out with the regiment on June 23, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. In the final letter within this collection, written in 1866, Watson expresses an intent to settle in Macon City, Missouri. By 1869, however, he was in Freeport, Illinois, where he married Lydia Amelia Sheller. An 1898 regimental history indicates that Watson was living in Kansas in the late 19th century. Some time later, the family moved to Olympia, Washington, where Watsson lived until his death on May 23, 1927. He is bured in the Masonic Memorial Park Cemetery of Tumwater, Washington.

The 93rd Illinois Infantry was organized at Chicago and mustered into service on October 13, 1862. The regiment participated in Grant's Vicksburg Campaign and Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The 93rd was mustered out of service in Kentucky on June 23, 1865.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

The collection includes photocopies of typed transcripts of letters of Thomas Watson, a private in Company D, 93rd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War.

Source of Acquisition

The Thomas Watson Letters were donated to Special Collections in 2008.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Thomas Watson Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas Watson Letters commenced and was completed in February 2008.

Title
Thomas Watson Letters, 1862-1866
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson, Archivist
Date
2008 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308