Hiram Scofield Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Hiram Scofield Papers
Identifier
VAULT.Ruggles.426
Repository
The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
Language
English
Size
2.0 linear feet (5 boxes)
Dates
1857-1906
Collection Stack Location
Vault 29 3
Abstract
Forty-four diaries, 1857-1906, together with a few letters and miscellaneous items, documenting Hiram Scofield's Civil War service as an officer with the 2nd Iowa Infantry and commander of the 47th Colored Infantry Regiment, and his post war personal and professional life as a Washington, Iowa, attorney.
Creator
Scofield, Hiram, 1830-1906

Provenance

Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives, 2002, with the assistance of the Rudy L. Ruggles Fund and Robert Wedgeworth.

Conditions Governing Access

The Hiram Scofield Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 5 folders at a time maximum, and items in each folder will be counted before and after delivery to the patron (Priority I).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Hiram Scofield 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

Hiram Scofield Papers, Rudy L. Ruggles Collection, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Processed by

Karyn Goldstein, 2003.

Processing Information note

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

Biography of Hiram Scofield

Washington, Iowa, lawyer and Union officer.

The eldest of five children, Hiram Scofield was born in Saratoga County, New York, on July 1, 1830 to William and Susan (Bishop) Scofield. Scofield's grandfather, Neazar Scofield, and grandmother, Patience, settled in Saratoga County in 1800. Reared on the family farm, Hiram attended country schools and academies, and graduated from Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.) and from the Albany Law School (1856). After law school, Scofield traveled to Little Rock, Ark., where he taught school for two years. He then moved to Washington, Iowa, where he established a law practice in 1858 with A.H. Patterson. This practice continued until his death on Dec. 30, 1906.

With the attack on Fort Sumter, Scofield enlisted in April of 1861 and was sworn in as a private on May 22, 1861. A member of Company H of the 2nd Iowa Infantry, he was soon promoted to second and first lieutenant, and assumed command of his company at Fort Donelson in February, 1862. Scofield was promoted to assistant adjutant general, serving on Gen. Lauman's staff at Shiloh (where he was wounded in the thigh), Corinth, and in Mississippi. He then served on Gen. John McArthur's staff at Vicksburg and Memphis.

In the spring of 1863, Gen. Thomas received orders to organize colored regiments. From May 5, 1863 to Jan. 5, 1866, Scofield commanded the 8th Louisiana Regiment of Colored Troops (in 1864 renamed the 47th U.S. Colored Infantry), which he recruited and trained at Lake Providence, La. Assigned to Vicksburg until March, 1864, the regiment then joined Gen. Canby's division, with Scofield commanding the 2nd brigade. It participated in the capture and occupation of Yazoo City during March and returned to Vicksburg. In Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas during the latter months of 1864, the 47th then served in Florida and Alabama, seeing action at Fort Blakely and occupying Mobile. After June, 1865, Scofield's regiment was stationed at various Louisiana locations, and was mustered out in Baton Rouge. Scofield himself was mustered out of service as a brigadier general on May 22, 1866.

Scofield returned to Washington, Iowa, after the war and resumed his law practice. In 1866, he married Amelia B. Wilson. The couple had two children, Clara J. and Cora L. Scofield.

Scope and Content of the Collection

Forty-four pocket diaries, 1857-1906 (lacking 1859-1861, 1868, 1877, 1884) documenting Hiram Scofield's Civil War service and his personal and professional life as a Washington, Iowa, attorney. Also a few letters to his young daughters (including one from "Old Chris" or Santa Claus) and other miscellany.

War diaries describe the weather, the life of an officer (accommodations, books read, card playing), the movements and engagements of Scofield's regiment (Fort Donelson, Fort Blakely, Mobile), news of the wider war, visits of Grant and other generals, and troop conditions and morale. Of particular interest are Scofield's observations about the training and activities of his African American regiment. Many comments (see Collection Accession File for excerpts) in the 1863 and 1866 diaries reveal Scofield's respect and empathy for his black soldiers, and his belief that the future relations between blacks and whites could only improve. Also included is a Polk family gravestone inscription.

Washington, Iowa, diaries note daily activities and contain financial accounts, lists of books read, and other miscellany. Brief and factual entries reveal none of Scofield's own thoughts regarding his work or his family life.

Also included is correspondence with Scofield's daughters, 1874-1878, and with brother William Scofield, 1875, and a few biographical notes, calling cards and invitations, railroad passes, Scofield family genealogical notes, a marriage license, newspaper clippings, safe combinations, and corn shipment receipts.

Arrangement

Organized by type of material: diaries, letters, miscellaneous. Diaries arranged chronologically.

Catalog Record

https://i-share-nby.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CARLI_NBY/i5mcb2/alma991796688805867

Indexed Terms

Inventory

Box 1
Folder 1
Title
Diary,
Dates
1857
Box 1
Folder 2
Title
Diary,
Dates
1858
Box 1
Folder 3
Title
Diary,
Dates
1862
Box 1
Folder 4
Title
Diary,
Dates
1863
Box 1
Folder 5
Title
Diary,
Dates
1864
Box 1
Folder 6
Title
Diary,
Dates
1865
Box 1
Folder 7
Title
Diary,
Dates
1866
Box 1
Folder 8
Title
Diary,
Dates
1867
Box 1
Folder 9
Title
Diary,
Dates
1869
Box 1
Folder 10
Title
Diary,
Dates
1870
Box 2
Folder 11
Title
Diary,
Dates
1871
Box 2
Folder 12
Title
Diary,
Dates
1872
Box 2
Folder 13
Title
Diary,
Dates
1873
Box 2
Folder 14
Title
Diary,
Dates
1874
Box 2
Folder 15
Title
Diary,
Dates
1875
Box 2
Folder 16
Title
Diary,
Dates
1876
Box 2
Folder 17
Title
Diary,
Dates
1878
Box 2
Folder 18
Title
Diary,
Dates
1879
Box 2
Folder 19
Title
Diary,
Dates
1880
Box 2
Folder 20
Title
Diary,
Dates
1881
Box 3
Folder 21
Title
Diary,
Dates
1882
Box 3
Folder 22
Title
Diary,
Dates
1883
Box 3
Folder 23
Title
Diary,
Dates
1885
Box 3
Folder 24
Title
Diary,
Dates
1886
Box 3
Folder 25
Title
Diary,
Dates
1887
Box 3
Folder 26
Title
Diary,
Dates
1888
Box 3
Folder 27
Title
Diary,
Dates
1889
Box 3
Folder 28
Title
Diary,
Dates
1890
Box 3
Folder 29
Title
Diary,
Dates
1891
Box 4
Folder 30
Title
Diary,
Dates
1892
Box 4
Folder 31
Title
Diary,
Dates
1893
Box 4
Folder 32
Title
Diary,
Dates
1894
Box 4
Folder 33
Title
Diary,
Dates
1895
Box 4
Folder 34
Title
Diary,
Dates
1896
Box 4
Folder 35
Title
Diary,
Dates
1897
Box 4
Folder 36
Title
Diary,
Dates
1898
Box 4
Folder 37
Title
Diary,
Dates
1899
Box 5
Folder 38
Title
Diary,
Dates
1900
Box 5
Folder 39
Title
Diary,
Dates
1901
Box 5
Folder 40
Title
Diary,
Dates
1902
Box 5
Folder 41
Title
Diary,
Dates
1903
Box 5
Folder 42
Title
Diary,
Dates
1904
Box 5
Folder 43
Title
Diary,
Dates
1905
Box 5
Folder 44
Title
Diary,
Dates
1906
Box 5
Folder 45
Title
Letters -- Scofield, Hiram to Clara J. and Cora L. Scofield (including letter from Santa Claus),
Dates
1874-1878
Box 5
Folder 46
Title
Letter -- Scofield, William to Hiram Scofield,
Dates
1875, Dec. 15
Box 5
Folder 47
Title
Miscellaneous -- Biographical Notes re Hiram Scofield
Box 5
Folder 48
Title
Miscellaneous -- Calling Cards and Invitations,
Dates
1856-1860
Box 5
Folder 49
Title
Miscellaneous -- Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Pass,
Dates
1900
Box 5
Folder 50
Title
Miscellaneous -- Genealogical Notes re Scofield Family
Box 5
Folder 51
Title
Miscellaneous -- List of Letters (not in collection)
Box 5
Folder 52
Title
Miscellaneous -- Marriage Record (copy)
Box 5
Folder 53
Title
Miscellaneous -- Newspaper Clipping,
Dates
approximately 1873
Box 5
Folder 54
Title
Miscellaneous -- Receipts for Corn Shipments (2),
Dates
1874