Collection Guide
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Kersteter, Simon B. (Civil War correspondence)
2023.050.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Simon B. Kersteter Civil War correspondence
source:
Levengood, Marcia
Creator:
Kersteter, Simon B., Private, 1843-1909
Creator:
Row, Emanuel B.
Identifier/Call Number: 2023.050.w.r
Physical Description:
0.03 Linear Feet
(2 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1864 June 4 - 1865 July 11
Abstract: This collection contains four letters from Pvt. Simon B. Kerstetter to his future wife Lucinda Bowman and to his mother during
the Civil War. Also included is one letter to Lucinda from Emanuel B. Row, two photographs of Kerstetter and his family, as
well as one obituary and one four-page military record for Kerstetter.
Material Specific Details: This collection contains fragile materials. The correspondence is brittle and torn in several places, at some point put together
by clear tape. Some of the tape has been removed and the pages have been rehoused in clear mylar protective sheets.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Civil War 9
Container: 1-2
Container: 1-2
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Lawrence J and Charles V Levengood Families, donated by Marcia Levengood.
This collection is arranged by author and chronology.
- Series 1, Correspondence and other materials from Simon B. Kerstetter
- Series 2, Correspondence from Emanuel B. Row
Private Simon B. Kersteter (6/29/1843 - 9/10/1909) was born in Crawford Township, Ohio. He served the Union Army during the
Civil War with Company C, 78th Ohio Volunteers, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. He served with General Tecumseh
Sherman during the famous "march to the sea" and participated in many battles and campaigns, including the surrender of General
Joseph E. Johnston to General Sherman on April 26, 1865 at Bennett Place near Hillsborough, North Carolina; the largest surrender
of the war.
He married Lucinda M. Bowman February 15, 1866 in Coshocton County, Ohio and the two had two sons and five daughters; the
youngest, Elva Mae Levengood née Kersteter, was the grandmother of the donor. He ran a farm, eventually including 91 acres
(per his final will) and was a member of the Reformed Church in New Bedford and served as their clerk for three decades and
passed away from illness at 66 years old in 1909. He was interred at the Reformed Church, later Zion United Church of Christ
Cemetery, New Bedford.
Emanuel B. Row served with 67th Regiment, Ohio Veteran Volunteers, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps. Further biographical information
is unknown, though he may be related to Lucinda as he asks her to send well wishes to "Aunt," and says that "Uncle Jack" wishes
her well.
Statement of Potentially Harmful Content
This collection may contain materials that are difficult to view, are potentially harmful, or use outdated and culturally
insensitive language. Chapman University preserves and makes these materials accessible to researchers to ensure long-term
accuracy of these historical records. This repository aims to not promote or otherwise celebrate this content, but to use
it for educational and research purposes.
Please see the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) "Statement on Potentially Harmful Content" for more information:
https://www.archives.gov/research/reparative-description/harmful-content
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Simon B. Kerstetter Civil War correspondence (2023.050.w.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 contains four letters from Pvt. Simon B. Kerstetter to his future wife Lucinda M. Bowman and to his mother
during the Civil War. There were two letters written to each. Also included is one letter to Lucinda from Emanuel B. Row,
two photographs of Kerstetter and his family, as well as one obituary and one four-page military record for Kerstetter. Each
letter includes a transcription provided by the donor.
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
Correspondence -- American Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861 1865 -- Personal Narratives.
Levengood, Marcia