Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
John D. Beach papers, 1861-1865
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Beach, John D. (soldier)
- Title
- John D. Beach papers
- Dates
- 1861-1865 (inclusive)18611865
- Quantity
- 0.5 linear feet, (1 box)
- Collection Number
- WUA026
- Summary
- The John D. Beach papers consist of letters written by Beach, a Union soldier, to his mother during his time in service with the Illinois 55th Regiment, Company G, covering the years 1861 through 1865.
- Repository
-
Willamette University Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem, OR
97301
Telephone: 5033706866
Fax: 5033706141
archives@willamette.edu - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to researchers.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
John D. Beach was twenty-one years old when he enlisted in the Union Army, Illinois 55th, G Company in 1861. He was first stationed at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois. During his time in the army, he was stationed in Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, and Arkansas. Beach served in the Army until at least July 1865. The final letter in the collection speaks of the possibility of reenlistment.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The John D. Beach papers contain letters written by Union soldier John D. Beach during his time serving with the Illinois 55th, G Company. These letters addressed to his mother, Mrs. Williams, describe life in camp, the daily diet of the soldiers, and other details of his life. In 1863 his regiment was hit with an epidemic which resulted in "five to ten soldiers buaried (sic) a day in hearing distance they die mostly of the Ague and Direah (sic) and Intermiting (sic) Fever." Beach speaks of fighting in various battles, although it is difficult to determine the location of those battles. His last letters speak of reenlistment and plans for his future.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.
For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John D. Beach collection, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Letter written from Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois | 1861 September 24 |
| 1 | 2 | Letter written from Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois | 1861 October 8 |
| 1 | 3 | Letter written from Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois | 1861 November 1 |
| 1 | 4 | Letter written from Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri | 1862 January 3 |
| 1 | 5 | Letter written from Mississippi | 1862 May 27 |
| 1 | 6 | Letter written from Memphis, Tennessee | 1862 August 22 |
| 1 | 7 | Letter written from Camp Sherman, Jackson, Mississippi | 1863 August 29 |
| 1 | 8 | Letter written from Camp Sherman, Jackson, Mississippi | 1863 September 2 |
| 1 | 9 | Letter written from Iuka, Mississippi | 1863 October 21 |
| 1 | 10 | Letter written from Larkins Landing, Alabama | 1864 February 17 |
| 1 | 11 | Letter written from Chattanooga, Tennessee | 1864 June 11 |
| 1 | 12 | Letter written from Little Rock, Arkansas | 1865 July 25 |
| 1 | 13 | Various envelopes used by Beach | undated |
| 1 | 14 | Information obtained from the National Archives about the service record of John D. Beach | 1991 August 27 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- United States. Army. Infantry--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Personal Names
- Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876
- Rosecrans, William S. (William Starke), 1819-1898
- Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Corporate Names
- United States. Army. Illinois Infantry Regiment, 55th (1861-1865)
Geographical Names
- Camp Douglas (Ill.)
- Camp Sherman (Miss.)
- Fort Sumter (Charleston, S.C.)
Form or Genre Terms
- correspondence
Finding aid processed by Rose Marie Walter.
2012
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
