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Carlos W. Colby Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Carlos W. Colby Papers
Identifier
Midwest.MS.Colby
Repository
The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
Language
English
Size
0.8 linear feet (2 boxes)
Predominant Dates
Bulk, 1861-1865
Dates
1821-1937
Collection Stack Location
1 41 2
Abstract
Primarily correspondence (129 letters) of Illinois farmer and Civil War soldier Carlos W. Colby, written between 1862 and 1865, to his sisters, brother, brother-in-law, and niece, plus a dozen Civil War letters written by Colby’s future brother-in-law James Rowe. Also includes Colby’s reminiscences of his boyhood and his service in the 97th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, some family correspondence, genealogical material and a few photos.
Language
Materials are in English.
Creator
Colby, Carlos

Provenance

Gift of John S. Painter, 1989.

Conditions Governing Access

The Carlos W. Colby Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 5 folders at a time maximum (Priority II).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Carlos W. Colby Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Cite As

Carlos W. Colby Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Processed by

Virginia H. Smith, 2001, Marisa Bell-Metereau, 2009.

Processing Information note

This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2011 April 12 by Andrew Steadham.

Biography of Carlos W. Colby

Illinois farmer and Civil War soldier.

Carlos W. Colby was born on May 15, 1837 on a farm in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, ten miles north of Concord. Colby moved with his family from New Hampshire to a farm near Alton, Illinois, in 1850. Colby was a farmer until, at the age of 25, he enlisted in Company G of the 97th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment on August 11, 1862 and was mustered in as a second corporal at Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois 97th was assigned to participate in the Vicksburg Campaign, and as the Union Army moved south, Colby recorded his military experiences in regular letters to his family.

Reaching Memphis, the regiment became part of Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s organization of forces for a two-pronged assault on the strategically-placed city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Arriving in December 1862, the 97th stayed in the Vicksburg area, took part in the continual assaults upon and the final surrender of Vicksburg in early July of 1863, and thence was moved south to New Orleans. The regiment stayed in Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida, joining in several expeditions and campaigns until April 1865. Colby was wounded in the leg at the charge of Fort Blakely in Alabama on April 9, 1865. After several months in the hospital, he was mustered out on August 18, 1865 as a first sergeant.

After the war, Carlos Colby returned to the farm in Alton and married Anne E. Rowe, the sister of a company friend, in December 1866. He then settled down to farming and raising a family. Carlos Colby and Anne Colby had eight children, four of whom survived to adulthood. Colby lived in Alton until 1883 when he moved to a farm near Buckley, Illinois. His wife Anne died in 1899 and in 1900 he retired from farming and moved to Peoria, Illinois. Colby died in Peoria, Illinois in 1922 at age 85.

It was during the siege of Vicksburg that Colby was a member of a volunteer storming party that made an assault on the enemy’s works. He received a Congressional Medal of Honor in 1896 “…for most distinguished gallantry in action at the battle of Vicksburg, Miss.” Excerpts of many of Colby’s letters pertaining to the Vicksburg Campaign were edited and annotated by his great-grandson, John S. Painter, and published under the title “Bullets, Hardtack and Mud: A Soldier’s View of the Vicksburg Campaign,” in the Journal of the West, Vol. IV, No. 2, April 1865.

Scope and Content of the Collection

The bulk of the collection consists of Civil War letters; some material relating to the 97th Illinois Volunteer Regiment; reminiscences of Colby’s boyhood and military career and copies of his obituaries; a small group of family letters; genealogical writings; and photographs of Colby and his family.

Organization

Papers are organized in the following series:

    Title Box
    Series 1: Carlos Colby, 1862-1922
    Boxes 1-2
    Series 2: James Rowe, 1862-1865
    Box 2
    Series 3: Colby Family, 1821-1937
    Box 2

Catalog Record

https://i-share.carli.illinois.edu/nby/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&v1=1&BBRecID=175831

Indexed Terms

Indexed Terms

Inventory

Series 1: Carlos Colby,
1862-1922
Scope and Contents note

Consists of 129 Civil War letters of Carlos W. Colby of the Illinois 97th Volunteer Infantry Regiment written between 1862 and 1865 to his sisters, brother, brother-in-law, and niece. These letters describe in detail all aspects of Colby’s daily camp life as a common soldier including such topics as accommodations, food, clothing, health, weather, scenery, transportation and weaponry, as well as reflecting social and racial attitudes, moral and mental states, observations of the military leaders and strategies, and patriotic sentiments. Colby includes graphic descriptions of particular battles and skirmishes, including the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Siege of Fort Blakely, Alabama, and the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi. Also, a few writings of Colby’s including his reminiscences of his boyhood and his military service; and some miscellaneous material relating to his Congressional Medal of Honor, the published history of the Illinois 97th Infantry Regiment, and copies of newspaper articles about Colby and several of his obituaries.

Arrangement note

Letters arranged chronologically; writings and miscellaneous material arranged alphabetically by type of material or title.

Box 1
Folder 1
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (march, camp life, food),
Dates
Aug. 1862
Box 1
Folder 2
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (weapons, furlough, food),
Dates
Aug. 1862
Box 1
Folder 3
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, Camp Butler, IL (alcohol, food, mail, marching orders),
Dates
Aug. 1862
Box 1
Folder 4
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (details about camp, prisoners’ quarters, daily routine),
Dates
Aug. 24, 1862
Box 1
Folder 5
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Camp Butler, IL (money, mail, marches),
Dates
Aug. 30, 1862
Box 1
Folder 6
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (food, theft, unrest in the company, guard duty),
Dates
Aug. 31, 1862
Box 1
Folder 7
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Caty, Camp Butler, IL (camp life, Caty learning to write),
Dates
Sept. 1862
Box 1
Folder 8
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Camp Butler, IL (payday, mail),
Dates
Sept. 1862
Box 1
Folder 9
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “folks at home,” Camp Butler, IL (food, company muster orders, weather, camp life, list of officers),
Dates
Sept. 7, 1862
Box 1
Folder 10
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (weather, muster-in ceremony, camp life),
Dates
Sept. 17, 1862
Box 1
Folder 11
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Butler, IL (mail, camp ceremony, weather),
Dates
Oct. 1, 1862
Box 1
Folder 12
Title
Letter fragment, Colby, Carlos to unknown, unknown location (food, captured soldiers, newspapers, illness in camp),
Dates
Oct. 1862
Box 1
Folder 13
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, near Covington, KY (camp life and rules, deserters),
Dates
Oct. 1862
Box 1
Folder 14
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Fort Mitchell, KY (mail, camp life, rations, march),
Dates
Oct. 1862
Box 1
Folder 15
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Fort Mitchell, KY (march, camp life, mail and pictures),
Dates
Oct. 10, 1862
Box 1
Folder 16
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Rutherford, KY (march, camp life, food),
Dates
Oct. 10, 1862
Box 1
Folder 17
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sara, Falmouth, KY (march, weather, details about brigade, prisoners, sewing),
Dates
Oct. 21, 1862
Box 1
Folder 18
Title
Letter fragment, Colby, Carlos to unnamed (striking camp),
Dates
Oct. 1862
Box 1
Folder 19
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, Paris, KY (union demonstrations, marches, disagreement with a captain),
Dates
Oct. 27, 1862
Box 1
Folder 20
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Nicholasville, KY (mail, camp life, illness, unrest in camp, money),
Dates
Nov. 1, 1862
Box 1
Folder 21
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Camp Smith, KY (accidents and deaths in camp, mail, dissent in camp),
Dates
Nov. 9, 1862
Box 1
Folder 22
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Frankfort, KY (illness, march, mail, new camp in Louisville),
Dates
Nov. 12, 1862
Box 1
Folder 23
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Louisville, KY (mail, illness-mumps, march to Memphis),
Dates
Nov. 18, 1862
Box 1
Folder 24
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sisters, on Transport Moderator (illness-mumps, mail, church, moving camp),
Dates
Nov. 23, 1862
Box 1
Folder 25
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Memphis, TN (weather, health, lodging, mail, war),
Dates
Nov. 28, 1862
Box 1
Folder 26
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Memphis, TN (mail, a pass out of camp, weather, camp life),
Dates
Dec. 8, 1862
Box 1
Folder 27
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Memphis, TN (photograph, camp life, food and cooking, dissent in camp, illness),
Dates
Dec. 12, 1862
Box 1
Folder 28
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Memphis, TN (march led by General Sherman, training, Christmas, mail, leave for LA on the Robert Campbell Jr.),
Dates
Dec. 19, 1862
Box 1
Folder 29
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, on transport steamboat Robert Campbell Jr. (boats, war, countryside, food, Christmas),
Dates
Dec. 1862
Box 1
Folder 30
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Yazoo River on transport steamboat Robert Campbell, Jr. (skirmish, weather, battle, mail, Christmas, General Sherman, hand drawn map, injuries),
Dates
Jan. 2, 1863
Box 1
Folder 31
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, “60 miles below Napoleon” on the Mississippi River (mail, newspapers, crops, move up the river),
Dates
Jan. 6, 1863
Box 1
Folder 32
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, mouth of the White River in Arkansas (river travel, money),
Dates
Jan. 8, 1863
Box 1
Folder 33
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Arkansas Post (death in the company, recent battle, mail),
Dates
Jan. 12, 1863
Box 1
Folder 34
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Arkansas Post (battle near the water, wounded soldiers and casualties, description of guns and cannons, weather, mail),
Dates
Jan. 15, 1863
Box 1
Folder 35
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Milliken’s Bend, LA (health, deserters, weapons, slavery, mail),
Dates
Jan. 21, 1863
Box 1
Folder 36
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, opposite mouth of the Yazoo River in Mississippi (health, mail, moving camp, camp life),
Dates
Jan. 24, 1863
Box 1
Folder 37
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Muddy Camp, LA (new camp on the river, mail, health, regiment deaths and promotions, healthcare in camp),
Dates
Jan. 29, 1863
Box 1
Folder 38
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Young’s Point, LA (health, new leadership, comrades dismissed from duty, mail, clothing),
Dates
Feb. 2, 1863
Box 1
Folder 39
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Young’s Point, LA (mail, food, contents of a package from home, details of the new campsite, request for information from home),
Dates
Feb. 8, 1863
Box 1
Folder 40
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Young’s Point, LA (mail, fellow soldier’s release, levee duty, change of command in the brigade),
Dates
Feb. 12, 1863
Box 1
Folder 41
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Young’s Point, LA (weather, duty, skirmish on the water, list of soldiers accused of shirking duty, mail),
Dates
Feb. 16, 1863
Box 1
Folder 42
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother Charlie, Young’s Point, LA (weather, boring camp life, digging a canal, smallpox, illness in camp),
Dates
Feb. 20, 1863
Box 1
Folder 43
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, Young’s Point, LA (mail, weather, canal digging, unsatisfactory promotion in the company, camp doctor, French furlow),
Dates
Feb. 26, 1863
Box 1
Folder 44
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Young’s Point, LA (mail, weather, goods for sale in camp, payday, request for a hat),
Dates
Feb. 27, 1863
Box 1
Folder 45
Title
Letter fragment, Colby, Carlos to unknown, unknown location, LA (mail, getting paid, list of rations),
Dates
Mar. 1863
Box 1
Folder 46
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Young’s Point, LA (mail, Abraham Lincoln, regiments’ work on canal, unrest and discipline in the regiment),
Dates
Mar. 4, 1863
Box 1
Folder 47
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Milliken’s Bend, LA (camp levee break, weather, camp lodging, rebellion against authority in camp, food),
Dates
Mar. 13, 1863
Box 1
Folder 48
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “folks at home,” Milliken’s Bend, LA (death of brother’s child, mail, health, camp doctor’s resignation),
Dates
Mar. 18, 1863
Box 1
Folder 49
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Milliken’s Bend, LA (money sent home, an overcoat, Brigade inspection by General Smith, weather, camp food),
Dates
Mar. 21, 1863
Box 1
Folder 50
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother Charlie, Milliken’s Bend, LA (cost of paper, weather, detail of punishment for a deserter, brother’s child’s death, rumors about Vicksburg),
Dates
Mar. 21, 1863
Box 1
Folder 51
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Milliken’s Bend, LA (mail, discharges in the regiment, weather, details of a recently received package, sister Sallie’s health),
Dates
Mar. 26, 1863
Box 1
Folder 52
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Milliken’s Bend, LA (mail, sister Carrie’s health, brigade inspections, a recent skirmish, enemy casualties),
Dates
Mar. 31, 1863
Box 1
Folder 53
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to unknown, Milliken’s Bend, LA (mail, camp duty, illness, weather, General McClemon’s wife),
Dates
Apr. 2, 1863
Box 1
Folder 54
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Milliken’s Bend, LA (mail, future attack on Vicksburg, description of General Grant’s headquarters, sister Carrie’s illness, camp life),
Dates
Apr. 8, 1863
Box 1
Folder 55
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to niece Caty, Milliken’s Bend, LA (General Grant’s son, request for mail, camp rations),
Dates
Apr. 1863
Box 1
Folder 56
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Milliken’s Bend, LA (weather, mail, Sallie’s correspondence, details of picket duty, arrival of 12th army corps, letter from Lucy),
Dates
Apr. 14, 1863
Box 1
Folder 57
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Major Holmes’ plantation, ten miles south of Richmond, LA (march to Richmond, raiding a plantation, mail),
Dates
Apr. 17, 1863
Box 1
Folder 58
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Holmes plantation, ten miles south of Richmond, LA (pay, mail, troop health and morale),
Dates
Apr. 19, 1863
Box 1
Folder 59
Title
Song, Colby, Carlos to unknown, enclosure in letter, “The Soldier’s Life”
Dates
Apr., 1863
Box 1
Folder 60
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Carthage, LA (mail, sister Carrie’s health, march to New Carthage, clothing),
Dates
Apr. 26, 1863
Box 1
Folder 61
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, Camp Bayou Pier, 50 miles south of Vicksburg (scarce rations, details of recent battle, price of food),
Dates
May 6, 1863
Box 1
Folder 62
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Ball’s Ferry, Baldwin’s Ferry, LA (march near Vicksburg, rebel soldiers’ confidence, Sunday activities),
Dates
May 13, 1863
Box 1
Folder 63
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, near Vicksburg, MS (mail, accounts of movements since leaving Baldwin’s Ferry, injuries in battle, health, future skirmishes),
Dates
May 26, 1863
Box 1
Folder 64
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to unknown, near Vicksburg, MS (picket and fatigue duty, rations, possible promotion, confidential information in letter),
Dates
June 1863
Box 1
Folder 65
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, rear of Vicksburg, MS (picket duty, details of shell explosions, dreams, request for items from home),
Dates
June 3, 1863
Box 1
Folder 66
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, rear of Vicksburg, MS (camp life, chiggers, scurvy in camp, a recently constructed fort, rebel deserters, mail),
Dates
June 9, 1863
Box 1
Folder 67
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, rear of Vicksburg, MS (news from home, Battle of Vicksburg, projected changes in the regiment at conclusion of Vicksburg, health),
Dates
June 13, 1863
Box 1
Folder 68
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother Charlie, rear of Vicksburg, MS (mail, rebel skirmish, injuries, arrest in camp, weather),
Dates
June 19, 1863
Box 1
Folder 69
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, rear of Vicksburg, MS (details about Battle of Vicksburg, a wounded deserter, food, money, rations, inquiries about family at home),
Dates
June 21, 1863
Box 1
Folder 70
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, rear of Vicksburg, MS (mail, news of a conditional surrender of Vicksburg, rebel skirmish, victory at Vicksburg),
Dates
July 3, 1863
Box 1
Folder 71
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to unknown, Jackson, MS (rebel starvation, rebel casualties from battle, news of Battle of Vicksburg, sketch of Vicksburg),
Dates
July 1863
Box 1
Folder 72
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Vicksburg, MS (mail, march, recent skirmish, picket duty, captain’s resignation, moving camp),
Dates
July 26, 1863
Box 1
Folder 73
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Carrie, Vicksburg, MS (surrender at Vicksburg, countryside near Vicksburg, details of remaining detritus from Battle of Vicksburg, news of battle in the papers, weather),
Dates
July 31, 1863
Box 1
Folder 74
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Vicksburg, MS (mail, march to new battle site, boats, food, money),
Dates
Aug. 4, 1863
Box 1
Folder 75
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother Charlie, Vicksburg, MS (weather, trip to town, hospital, rebel prisoner anecdote, health),
Dates
Aug. 5, 1863
Box 1
Folder 76
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Vicksburg, MS (homesickness, food, recent religious service, new additions to their regiment),
Dates
Aug. 11, 1863
Box 1
Folder 77
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Carrollton, LA, near New Orleans (new camp on the Mississippi, transport down the Mississippi by boat, recent skirmish on the Mississippi, money),
Dates
Aug. 28, 1863
Box 1
Folder 78
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Carrolton, LA (recent military review, trip to town, details of a visit to New Orleans, marching orders),
Dates
Sept. 1, 1863
Box 1
Folder 79
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, near Carrolton, LA (illness, package received from home, recent military demonstrations, tensions between Eastern & Western soldiers),
Dates
Sept. 10, 1863
Box 1
Folder 80
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, Carrolton, LA (mail, disagreement with a recently promoted comrade, dissent in camp, stolen horse),
Dates
Sept. 18, 1863
Box 1
Folder 81
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Carrolton, LA (march, money, recently discharged compatriot),
Dates
Oct. 4, 1863
Box 1
Folder 82
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, camp near New Iberia, LA (mail, march to new camp through a swamp, visit to a confederate-sympathetic relative, condition of countryside, lost mail),
Dates
Oct. 11, 1863
Box 1
Folder 83
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Carrie, New Iberia, LA (mail, fire on boats on Mississippi River, political dissent in church, handsome local girls),
Dates
Oct. 25, 1863
Box 1
Folder 84
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “loved ones at home,” New Orleans, LA (detailed description of train disaster, casualties, injuries),
Dates
Nov. 2, 1863
Box 1
Folder 85
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (mail, provost duty in New Orleans, wounded regiment members, church, reorganization),
Dates
Nov. 8, 1863
Box 1
Folder 86
Title
Letter fragment, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (mail, provost marshal duties in New Orleans, escaped prisoners, crimes of men in his company),
Dates
Nov. 18, 1863
Box 1
Folder 87
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, New Orleans, LA (recent theater outing, money, mail, presents for the children),
Dates
Dec. 2, 1863
Box 1
Folder 88
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, New Orleans, LA (in hospital, mail and package received),
Dates
Dec. 13, 1863
Box 1
Folder 89
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (recovered and out of hospital, current weight, food, sudden death in the company, inquiry about a friend from home),
Dates
Dec. 23, 1863
Box 1
Folder 90
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother Henry, New Orleans, LA (Christmas, mail, weather and flooding in New Orleans, abuse of power in the ranks and subsequent confrontation),
Dates
Dec. 29, 1863
Box 1
Folder 91
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to unknown, LA (recent package, appearance style, regards to friend at home, regiment headquarters),
Dates
1864 or 1865
Box 1
Folder 92
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, New Orleans, LA (mail, photograph, weather, visit to the hospital, visit to site of Battle of New Orleans, illnesses in regiment),
Dates
Jan. 31, 1864
Box 1
Folder 93
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, New Orleans, LA (mail, confederate refugees in camp, new recruits to the regiment, description of terrain),
Dates
Feb. 7, 1864
Box 1
Folder 94
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “my dear darling Catie,” New Orleans, LA (mail, recent Mardi Grad celebration, a parrot and jokes to play with it, paid),
Dates
Feb. 16, 1864
Box 1
Folder 95
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, New Orleans, LA (church, mail, upcoming Governor’s inauguration, fight with confederate townsmen, promotion possibility),
Dates
Mar. 3, 1864
Box 1
Folder 96
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, New Orleans, LA (mail, friend who wants to enlist, troops departing to Texas, captain resigned, regiment gossip),
Dates
Mar. 17, 1864
Box 1
Folder 97
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Carrie, New Orleans, LA (mail, Captain Pickering’s promotion, upcoming regiment inspection),
Dates
Mar. 26, 1864
Box 1
Folder 98
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Carrie, New Orleans, LA (new quarters in New Orleans, rebel prisoners, letter from home and enclosed picture, Governor’s review of the regiment),
Dates
Apr. 4, 1864
Box 1
Folder 99
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (mail, package of food, party, photograph, weather, money),
Dates
Apr. 12, 1864
Box 1
Folder 100
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (duty, weather, rebel prisoners exchange, package sent home),
Dates
Apr. 25, 1864
Box 1
Folder 101
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, New Orleans, LA (weather, death of a friend from home, reorganization of regiment, General Grant, money, food),
Dates
May 15, 1864
Box 1
Folder 102
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, New Orleans, LA (weather, possible regiment position takeover, movement of the army in Virginia, General Grant),
Dates
May 23, 1864
Box 1
Folder 103
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (weather, women, arrests of influential citizens in New Orleans, enlisters in the Rebel army),
Dates
June 8, 1864
Box 1
Folder 104
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Katie, New Orleans, LA (mail, sending a gift home, school and studies, request for letter and news about the family),
Dates
June 17, 1864
Box 1
Folder 105
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to brother, New Orleans, LA (weather, lecture to vote for Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming presidential election, reorganization of the regiments, furlough),
Dates
June 26, 1864
Box 1
Folder 106
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, New Orleans, LA (mail received from a friend, seizure of all suitable horses in New Orleans, Fourth of July festivities, racist attitude),
Dates
July 3, 1864
Box 1
Folder 107
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, New Orleans, LA (churches in town with Rebel or Union sympathies, marching orders, specifics about New Orleans geography, punishment of soldiers),
Dates
July 16, 1864
Box 1
Folder 108
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Morganza Bend, LA (mail, in hospital, recent march, weather),
Dates
July 31, 1864
Box 1
Folder 109
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Morganza, LA (boredom at camp, mail, weather, health, traffic on the Mississippi River),
Dates
Aug. 28, 1864
Box 1
Folder 110
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, New Orleans, LA (travel to the hospital, unfit for duty, hospital conditions, mail),
Dates
Sept. 6, 1864
Box 1
Folder 111
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “dearly beloved sister,” Carrollton, LA (weather, downtime, African American Methodist Revival, General Burbridge, Louisiana countryside),
Dates
Sept. 27, 1864
Box 1
Folder 112
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, on board steamer “Kate Kinney” near Cairo, IL (details about the boat, freight, and passengers, money),
Dates
Dec. 10, 1864
Box 1
Folder 113
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, Morganza, LA (arrival at camp, illness, details about travel and people on the boat, request for advice about women, mail),
Dates
Dec. 17, 1864
Box 1
Folder 114
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Carrie, New Orleans, LA (Christmas dinner with a friend, recent hospital stay, illness, visit to friends in another hospital, food),
Dates
Dec. 25, 1864
Box 2
Folder 115
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, Five Mile Creek, MS (sister Caroline’s death, the care of Caroline’s children, recovering from illness, packages and mail),
Dates
Jan. 12, 1865
Box 2
Folder 116
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister Sallie, East Pascagoula, MS (recent retreat, hard landscape, special treatment due to illness, receipt of delayed letter from deceased sister, detailed account of finding the regiment),
Dates
Jan. 18, 1865
Box 2
Folder 117
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, East Pascagoula, MS (illness at home, monotony of camp life, description of schedule in camp, discipline, money),
Dates
Jan. 29, 1865
Box 2
Folder 118
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to niece Carrie, Barrancas, FL (condolences on her mother’s recent death, outline of duties in camp, description of lodging in camp, weather),
Dates
Feb. 19, 1865
Box 2
Folder 119
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Barrancas, FL (national salute for Washington’s birthday, reflection of time enlisted, strictness of new leader, discipline in camp, health of the regiment),
Dates
Feb. 22, 1865
Box 2
Folder 120
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to “my own dear Carrie,” Barrancas, FL (received recent letter with handkerchief from deceased sister, surprised at progress in school, camp life),
Dates
Mar. 4, 1865
Box 2
Folder 121
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, near Pensacola, FL (news about occupation of Charleston, upcoming march, anecdote about a corporal’s demotion, request for news from home),
Dates
Mar. 1865
Box 2
Folder 122
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, near Pensacola, FL (terrain of Florida Flats, recent marches, General Steele, mail, health, new camp, leadership),
Dates
Mar. 22, 24, 1865
Box 2
Folder 123
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, near Fort Blakely, AL (siege near Fort Blakely, injuries in the regiment, upcoming marching orders, mail, prospect of selling property at home),
Dates
Apr. 8, 1865
Box 2
Folder 124
Title
Diary entry, Colby, Carlos near Fort Blakely, AL (account of the siege of Fort Blakely, written after the siege of Fort Blakely),
Dates
Mar. 19-Apr. 7, 1865
Box 2
Folder 125
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, near Blakely, AL (written while in the hospital, injury sustained in the siege and subsequent hospital stay),
Dates
Apr. 10, 1865
Box 2
Folder 126
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to Sallie, Sedgwick, AR (food, update on injury sustained in siege, account of the fight and how injury was sustained, casualties in the regiment, account of trip to current hospital),
Dates
Apr. 17, 1865
Box 2
Folder 127
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, St. Louis, MO Marine Hospital (stay in hospital, request for discharge papers from home, Charlie’s visit, food, reading material),
Dates
July 6, 1865
Box 2
Folder 128
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, St. Louis, MO Marine Hospital (weather, leisure time, visiting Charlie, mail, possible upcoming discharge, details about his ward, food),
Dates
July 11, 1865
Box 2
Folder 129
Title
Letter, Colby, Carlos to sister, St. Louis, MO Marine Hospital (prospect of being discharged, details of getting paid, getting mustered out, request for leave of absence),
Dates
July 16, 1865
Box 2
Folder 130
Title
Miscellaneous Civil War Envelopes from Colby, Carlos to various family members,
Dates
no date
Box 2
Folder 131
Title
Writings: "Battles 97th or days under fire",
Dates
n.d.
Box 2
Folder 132
Title
Writings: Chronological Table, Civil War Campaigns of Carlos W. Colby,
Dates
n.d.
Box 2
Folder 133
Title
Writings: Memoirs of Military Service, original mss.,
Dates
June 10, 1910
Box 2
Folder 134
Title
Writings: Memoirs of Military Service, Xerox copies,
Dates
Mar. 16 and July 21, 1910
Box 2
Folder 135
Title
Writings: Reminiscences of childhood, Unfinished original mss. and Xerox copy,
Dates
n.d.
Box 2
Folder 136
Title
Writings: Reminiscences of childhood, version 2,
Dates
Mar. 8, 1911. Xerox copy only
Box 2
Folder 137
Title
Writings: "Story of my 4th of July experience",
Dates
Feb. 23, 1915. Xerox copy only
Box 2
Folder 138
Title
Miscellaneous: Official army documents. Xerox copies only
Box 2
Folder 139
Title
Miscellaneous: History of the 97th Infantry Regiment and company rosters. Neg. photostat
Box 2
Folder 140
Title
Miscellaneous: Obituaries. Xeroxes only
Series 2: James Rowe,
[Oct. 1862]-July 4, 1865
Scope and Contents note

Twelve Civil War letters written by James Rowe, friend in the 97th Illinois Infantry Regiment and future brother-in-law of Carlos Colby, to Rowe's sister, brother and mother between October, 1862 and July 4, 1865. Mustered in as an infantryman, Rowe was officially appointed as hospital steward of the 97th Regiment in Jan., 1864. Although they contain some descriptions of his battle experiences and hospital duties, the letters also dwell on Rowe's homesickness and family concerns.

Arrangement note

Arranged chronologically.

Box 2
Folder 141
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, Cynthiana, KY (recent marches and difficulties on the march-hills, broken down wagons, camp Cynthiana, soldier life, rations),
Dates
Oct., 1862
Box 2
Folder 142
Title
Letter fragment, Rowe, James to sister, near Vicksburg, MS (setting up camp near a rebel camp, payer/revival, mail, worn out clothes, prospect of new clothes, battle of Vicksburg, money),
Dates
Jan. 1863
Box 2
Folder 143
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to mother, Homes Plantation, LA (mother and father’s illnesses, religious faith, camp location and conditions, enclosure of fish scales),
Dates
Apr. 23, 1863
Box 2
Folder 144
Title
Letter, Rowe, James, to mother, Bayou Teche, LA (mail, march to Texas, confusing marching orders, anti-Rebel sentiment, communication restraints),
Dates
Oct. 10, 1863
Box 2
Folder 145
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, New Iberia, LA (thanks for gift received, mail, possible new appointment, pay discrepancies, gossip about sister’s former fiancé),
Dates
Oct. 16, 1863
Box 2
Folder 146
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, New Orleans, LA (recent death in camp, new position, sister’s love interest, Rowe’s own love interest, photograph, regards to people at home),
Dates
Nov. 19, 1863
Box 2
Folder 147
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, Morganza, LA (possible upcoming orders and move, mail, death of friend’s father, sister’s illness, time in the regiment, personal item stolen, photograph, cost of items compared to home, women),
Dates
Sept., 1864
Box 2
Folder 148
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, Morganza, LA (mother’s health, Carlos Colby’s visit to sister, package, mail, girlfriend),
Dates
Nov. 16, 1864
Box 2
Folder 149
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to mother, near Blakely, AL (recent march, detail at Division Hospital, skirmish, injuries and casualties, duty),
Dates
Apr. 7, 1865
Box 2
Folder 150
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to brother, near Mobile, AL (recent skirmish near Mobile, wounded and casualties, details about battle, duty),
Dates
Apr. 13, 1865
Box 2
Folder 151
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to mother, Mobile, AL (expression of affection, homesickness, upcoming march, city of Mobile, regards to people at home),
Dates
May 14, 1865
Box 2
Folder 152
Title
Letter, Rowe, James to sister, Galveston, TX (Independence Day, Battle of Vicksburg, in Texas, desire to return home, recent steam ship ride, water scarcity, Galveston, thoughts of girlfriend, regards to people at home),
Dates
July 4, 1865
Series 3: Colby Family,
1821-1937
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence among miscellaneous family members, ranging from an 1821 letter written by Carlos Colby's mother, to a 1934 letter by Ida Colby, Carlos Colby's daughter-in-law. Several letters contain genealogical information. Family writings include a detailed genealogical report and a copy of a fragment of a memoir by James Rowe. Miscellaneous material includes a picture of the Colby family crest and a fragile copy of the Vicksburg Daily Citizen of July 2, 1863, the last issue of that paper to be printed on wallpaper. Also includes a group of photographs of Carlos Colby and his family.

Arrangement note

Correspondence and photographs arranged chronologically; other material arranged alphabetically.

Box 2
Folder 153
Title
Letter, Long, Abigail to Enoch Long (Carlos Colby’s mother), Hopkinton, MA, (Lucy’s death and subsequent mourning, writing class, town gossip, criminal convictions),
Dates
Apr. 22, 1821
Box 2
Folder 154
Title
Letter, unknown soldier to “William,” on the east bank of the River Hatchie, (details of recent march, weather and conditions, mail or lack thereof, Rebel townspeople, Union loyalty),
Dates
Sept. 16, 1862
Box 2
Folder 155
Title
Letter, Stout, Lucy Colby to Carlos Colby, Princeton, NJ (his recent enlistment, fond memories from childhood, father’s death, God, mail, pride in Illinois enlistees, farming, food, request for info about camp life, enlisted friends),
Dates
Sept. 22, 1862
Box 2
Folder 156
Title
Letter, Thomas, Charles to Caroline Maria Colby Thomas, Jefferson Barracks, MO (health, photograph, duties, children’s well-being, money),
Dates
May 13, 1863
Box 2
Folder 157
Title
Letter, soldier Charlie Bingham to Amy E. Robbins (unidentified writer), in camp near Petersburg, VA (pen-pal, mail, possible end to war, rebel deserters, description of appearance, request of photograph),
Dates
Feb. 24, 1865
Box 2
Folder 158
Title
Letter, Colby, Caroline (later Thomas) to Carlos Colby, location unknown (news of wound, money, Sunday school progress, weather),
Dates
Apr. 30, 1865
Box 2
Folder 159
Title
Letter, Colby, Anne Rowe to Lucy C. Stout, Alton, IL (thank-you for bridal gift, expression of love for new family, mother’s health, mail),
Dates
Feb. 5, 1867
Box 2
Folder 160
Title
Letter, Stout, Lucy Colby to Ida Colby (Mrs. Henry), Kingston, NJ (mail, Princeton, visiting, Christmas, upcoming inauguration, Happy New Year),
Dates
Dec. 26, 1912
Box 2
Folder 161
Title
Letter, Stout, Lucy Colby to Ida Colby (Mrs. Henry), Kingston, NJ (postcard received, trip, request for pictures, age, death),
Dates
July 27, 1913
Box 2
Folder 162
Title
Letter, Colby, Ida to “home folks” and includes copy of Henry Colby letter to “loved ones,” Landeck, Tyrol, Austria (travel through Europe, sightseeing, pictures, driving conditions, flora and fauna, dressmaking course, people from home),
Dates
Aug. 28, 1913
Box 2
Folder 163
Title
Letter, Seward, Caroline C. T. to Carlos Colby (uncle), location unknown (name, age, death, relatives, weather, garden),
Dates
May 11, 1922
Box 2
Folder 164
Title
Letter, Colby, Ida to “Florence and loved ones,” Walnut, IL (health, daughter Caroline’s health, babies, Christmas, son Henry, money, farming, relatives),
Dates
Dec. 17, 1934
Box 2
Folder 165
Title
Miscellaneous genealogical letters, various locations
Dates
1912-1937
Box 2
Folder 166
Title
Writings, Colby, Anne Rowe (composition on flowers, editorial about submissions from alumni),
Dates
n.d.
Box 2
Folder 167
Title
Writings, Kimball, Sarah M (Colby history),
Dates
May, 1911
Box 2
Folder 168
Title
Writings, Rowe, James, “Epitome of the 97th Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers,” (Xerox, no original),
Dates
n.d.
Box 2
Folder 169
Title
Miscellaneous, the Colby Family Crest, from “Fairburn’s Crests of the Leading Families in Great Britain and Ireland”
Box 2
Folder 170
Title
Miscellaneous, The Daily Citizen, Vicksburg, MS, last issue printed on wallpaper, says in margin “Copy sold by an old union soldier he helped print original" July 2, 1863
Box 2
Folder 171
Title
Photographs, negatives of Carlos Colby photos, medal of honor certificate, first sergeant certificate
Dates
ca. 1862-1920
Box 2
Folder 172
Title
Photographs, Carlos Colby? Civil War tintypes
Dates
ca. 1862-1920
Box 2
Folder 173
Title
Photographs, Carlos Colby, post-Civil War
Dates
ca. 1862-1920
Box 2
Folder 174
Title
Photographs, family portrait, Carlos Colby and family
Dates
ca. 1890
Box 2
Folder 175
Title
Photographs, family album, Colby family
Dates
ca. 1920
Box 2
Folder 176
Title
Photographs, miscellaneous family and places
Dates
n.d.