Joseph Sailor Papers
Reference Code:
Repository: University of Akron Archival Services
Title: Joseph Sailor Papers
Dates: 1862-1863
Extent: 0.5 cubic foot
Creator: Joseph Sailor
Language: english
Access: Collection is open for research.
Finding Aid prepared by: Archival Services Staff
Related Material:
Biographical History:
Joseph Sailor, a tanner from DeGraff, Ohio, was born on April 25, 1824 in Clark County, Ohio. He soon moved with his family to Logan County where his father engaged in tanning. On February 22, 1848, Sailor married Elizabeth (Eliza) Leach with whom he had two children.
On August 10, 1862 Sailor enlisted in the Union Army and was assigned to company E of the 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The O.V.I. was stationed in west central Kentucky between 1962 and 1963; during part of this time Sailor found himself performing garrison in rebel prisons in Lexington. His company engaged in two skirmishes during this period: one in Somerset, Kentucky and the other at Monticello, Kentucky. It was at Monticello, on June 9, 1963, that Sailor received the wound that resulted in his death on October 1, 1863.
Scope and Content:
The Joseph Sailor papers primarily consist of correspondence from Sailor to his wife and parents from September 1862 to September 1863. These letters detail daily life of the Union soldier in camp, prosecution of the war in Kentucky, and medical practice during the Civil War.
Also to be found are an 1894 newspaper account of Sailor’s life, two letters form Sailor’s father to Sailor, and several letters describing politics in 1858 Kansas and Civil War era Ohio.
Arrangement:
Sailor’s correspondence is arranged chronologically. The other correspondence is together in one folder.
Container List:
|
DATE OF LETTER |
CONTENTS |
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September 23, 1862 |
News of other DeGraff, Ohio volunteers at Camp Wallace, Kentucky. Undated Mentions that the SidneyJournal of Sidney, Ohio is publishing his notes on the war. |
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September 28, 1862 |
Written form Camp Wallace near Covington, Ky. Describes mustering in and treatment by Covington citizens. Prospects for first battle, list of duties and Comments on commanding officer, Capt. Lewis Taylor. |
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October 7. 1862 |
Finances, camp prices and expenses. |
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October 11, 1862 |
Written from Benton Station, Ky. Comments on army provisions. Asked friends to make him boots from his tanning shop. |
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October 27, 1862 |
Written from Falmouth, Ky. Comments on elections, especially on Cox for Governor. Future orders and commands. |
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November 4, 1962 |
Written from Camp Ella Bishop near Lexington, Ky. Description of Union forces in the area, attitude on life back home, camp routine, comments on deserters and refugees. |
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December 3, 1862 |
Written from Camp Ella Bishop, Ky. Sickness in camp, attacks liberal policy of government towards rebel property, statement of aims and political beliefs. |
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December 3, 1862 |
Written from Camp Ella Bishop, Ky. Advice to wife about children’s schooling in his absence. |
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December 10, 1862 |
Sickness and death in camp. |
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December 21, 1862 |
Guard duty, special message of children about Christmas. |
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December 30, 1862 |
Written from Lexington, Ky. Guard duty in Lexington, criticism of Captain Taylor, drinking in camp, Rebel prisoners. |
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January 1, 1863 |
Written from Lexington, Ky. Delay in pay, outbreak of measles. |
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January 8, 1863 |
Written form Lexington, Ky. Treatment of Rebel prisoners. |
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January 12, 1863 |
Written from Camp Ella Bishop Health of regiment, Kentucky citizens and the Emancipation Proclamation, attitude towards war and home. |
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January 18, 1863 |
Winter in a tent, treatment of deserters, sentence of negro caught selling whiskey to soldiers. |
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February 1, 1863 |
Written from Danville, Ky. Guard duty, death in camp, strength of company. |
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February 8, 1863 |
Camp Gillmore near Danville, Ky. Criticism of commanding officer. |
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February 17, 1863 |
Written from Danville, Ky. Criticizes unpatriotic creditors who press claims against him, father tries to get his bounty, regiment mounted, comments on fate and death. |
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February 26, 1863 |
Danville, Ky. Religion and family, payment of debts and patriotism, notes to children. |
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March 22, 1863 |
Camp Gilbert, Richmond, Ky. Scouting activities, guess of Rebel plans, Union strength in area, attitudes towards Northerners who seek peace, delay in pay. |
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April 7, 1863 |
Miledgeville, Ky. Purpose of move, recruiting horses, comments on battle at Somerset, delay of pay, indebtedness to Suller, camp rumours, attitudes towards Northern copperheads and purpose of war. |
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April 21, 1863 |
Somerset Ky. Brother’s death , military aims in Kentucky, guard duty, miscarry of plans to attack Rebels. |
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April 24, 1863 |
Homesickness. |
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May 3, 1863 |
Monticello, Ky. Skirmish results, pursuit of enemy, paymaster lost pay by gambling. |
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May 17, 1863 |
Somerset, Ky. Sickness , camp routine, picket duty, desires action against the enemy. |
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June 2, 1863 |
Somerset, Ky. Picket duty, lunch in a Rebel home, has family arrested when they urge him to desert. Accidental wounding of Capt. Taylor. |
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July 1, 1863 |
Somerset, Ky. Written by hospital steward, accounts of skirmish at Somerset. |
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July 26, 1863 |
Treatment by town citizens, description of wound and treatment, fate and fortitude, promoted to sergeant for conduct in battle, raise in pay. |
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August 9, 1863 |
Hopes of recovery, asks for election news, no newspapers. |
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August 12, 1863 |
Somerset, Ky. Attitudes towards Northern Democrats, description of wound and condition, little hopes for furlough. |
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August 27, 1863 |
Condition worsens, pay situation. |
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September 11, 1863 |
Inability to get leave, condition of leg, no medical attention, asks someone to come for him. |
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September 13, 1863 |
Hospital stewards trying to get a furlough for him, will let friends know when to come for him, feels time is precious. |
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September 24, 1863 |
Camp Nelson, Ky. Moved to Camp Nelson. Cannot get away, hopes for cure thorough surgery, wife with him, location: General Hospital, Hickman Bridge, Ky. |
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August 6, 1863 |
Letter from father. Brother wounded near Monticello, Union meetings and lectures in area. |
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Spellman. Mrs. Dan S. “Biography of Joseph Sailor,” The Buckeye (Bellefontaine, Ohio), March 16, 1894.
From Kansas Territory
Letter dated May 31, 1858 from John Sailor, Joseph’s older brother, to his parents. Agricultural pursuits, comments on Lecompton Constitution, agricultural prices, lack of currency in the area.
July 31, 1862 from John Ebert to the congregation of the Port Jefferson church of Champaign County, Ohio. Resigns position as pastor when criticized for being a Democrat and “part Secessionist”, defends politics and position.