Finding Aid for the William D. Lindsley Post-Civil War correspondence 2018.006.wc.r
Wendy Gonaver
Center for American War Letters Archives
7/18/19
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: William D. Lindsley Post-Civil War correspondence
Creator:
Lindsley, William D. , 1840-1915
source:
Hite, Ralph
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.006.wc.r
Physical Description:
.025 Linear feet
(1 folder)
Date: 2017
Abstract: Handwritten transcriptions of correspondence concerning William D. Lindsley's pension eligibility for service during the Civil
War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Resource Copies 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ralph Hite
William D. Lindsley (1840 - 1915) was born in Arkansas. In 1861, he joined Block's Company (Leavenworth Zouaves), Kansas Infantry
for a 30-day term of service during the Civil War. He then served as a civilian employee of the Quartermaster's Department.
He married and eventually settled in Oklahoma with his wife, Anna. The couple had several children. Lindsley made a living
as a farmer. He and his wife attempted to collect a veteran's pension, but were unsuccesful because of the short duration
of his service as a soldier.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], William D. Lindsley Post-Civil War correspondence (2018.006.wc.r), Center
for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection consists of handwritten transcriptions of correspondence about William D. Lindsley's eligibility for a government
pension for service during the Civil War. The transcriptions were found taped to the bottom of a desk by the donor. There
are transcriptions of two letters written by Mr. Lindlsey in 1907 and addressed to the Bureau of Pensions. These letters detail
his service with the Leavenworth Zouaves, and the dangers that he experienced afterwards as a teamster for the Quartermaster's
Department. There is also a transcription of a 1914 letter written by Anna Lindsley inquiring about a pension for her husband.
A response from Dick Thompson Morgan, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, to Mrs. Linsley is partially transcribed. This response,
sent in 1914, explains that Mr. Lindsley is not eligible for a pension because most of his service was rendered as a civilian.
Lastly, there are notes in the same handwriting that list Mr. Lindsley's dates of service and other vital information. One
of these notes is dated August 7, 1933, which may be when the transcriptions were made. Some of the details provided in these
transcriptions are independently verifiable, although alternate spellings such as "Sindsley" and "Lindsay" are common in the
public records.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Teamsters
Hite, Ralph