Scope and Contents Consists of family letters, correspondence, newspaper clippings, magazines, bulletins, and program material documenting the life of Robert Barker from his time at West Point Academy (1934-1938), military service during World War II (1942-1945), capture by forces of the Empire of Japan (1942), and death (1945). The collection includes the front page of the "Illinois State Journal" announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Scope and Contents Nine letters from Quigg to his brother-in-law Solomon F. Lewis, a lawyer and future mayor of Clinton, Illinois, discuss business at home and brief news of his regiment's activities. Two of the letters were written after being taken prisoner and describe his situation. Three letters from E.M. Prince to Lewis. One, June 10, 1862 asking Lewis to post posters and bills for Captain Rowland trying to get up a company of sharp shooters. The other two are brief and regard business.

Scope and Contents Typed transcript of reminiscences tell of his numerous journeys, businesses and successes and losses. Tells of his long journey from Virginia to New Orleans to meet with his regiment in time to fight in the Battle of New Orleans. Discusses his numerous business ventures including building a raft to take whiskey to St. Louis to sell using a crew of novice sailors. His business with the lead mines in Galena, Ill. Mentions interactions with Thomas Carlin, a relative of his wife; Governor Reynolds...

Scope and Contents Diary kept while prisoner, is quite hopeful with references to rumors of exchange, and his continued faith in God. Also discusses the severity of conditions, lack of food, poor sanitation, work, weather and death of others due to illness or accident. Recounts rumors they hear of war activity. Describes his trip to Annapolis for the exchange and his days there waiting for his leave of absence to come through and his feelings of freedom. Also has study notes, some text written in French and...

Scope and Contents The majority of letters are to his sister and brother-in-law, some to "my friends back home". He details his life in camp, many references to sickness and death. Describes his commanding officers and their different styles and his clerical work. Describes the battles and skirmishes and his discouragement at the way the war is going. References to people back home and often speaks of his desire to be back there and married. Three letters from prison at Danville, Va.

Scope and Contents Collection consists of two documents from 1865 having to do with Rudolph Helmkamp’s service in 49th Illiois Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. The first is an order of Lieutenant A. F. Taylor (of the Headquarters of District of Western Kentucky) to Sergeant Helmkamp to lead a detail to escort Confederate prisoners of war from Paducah, KY to Nashville, TN. The second document is Helmkamp’s discharge.

Scope and Contents Recollection written at Mattoon, Illinois describing his experiences at Belle Isle and the trip to Andersonville, the food they were given, treatment by guards, his experience in the hospital with scurvy and the circumstances of the exchange.

Scope and Contents Copy of a diary kept while in Libby Prison discusses his daily activities, religious faith, letters to various people, illness, his trial, and his attempt to maintain his spirits.

Scope and Contents Memoir of his time spent in these prisons, describes the prisons' physical characteristics, their rules, the differences in rules and treatment of the prisoners, and the psychological coping methods of the prisoners. Describes incidents of efforts to avoid starvation or freezing. Describes the prisoners who came in from Bell Isle and the death rate among them. Discusses the illness, specifically scurvy, rampant among the men and the prison hospitals. Gives some incidences of torture and murder....