Levi S. Graybill Papers: Finding Aid
Finding aid prepared by Brooke M. Black, May 21, 2013.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical
Gardens
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2013
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Collection
Title: Levi S. Graybill Papers
Dates (inclusive): 1861-1908
Bulk dates: 1861-1866
Collection Number: mssHM 77665-77756
Creator:
Graybill, Levi S., 1841 or 1842-
Extent: 108 items in 2 boxes.
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection is made up of Civil War diaries, correspondence, military-related documents, and photographs all pertaining
to the Union Army service of
Levi S. Graybill, a soldier in the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and, later, a captain in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry.
Language: English.
Access
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to
quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such
activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is
one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Levi S. Graybill Papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
Provenance
The majority of the collection was given to the Huntington Library by Amelie
Kneass in July 1958. Several items were a gift of Nora A. Vignolli in January
1993.
Cataloger's Notes
1. Graybill’s authorized heading is: Graybill, Levi S., 1841 or 1842- which you will
see in the finding aid and online record, however the folders use an older name
heading for him: Graybill, Levi S., 1842-ca. 1907.
2. The photographs in this collection have been photographed and can be found
on the Huntington Digital Library.
Alternative Form of Materials Available
Biographical Note
Levi S. Graybill, who was probably born in 1842, was the son of Daniel Graybill who
moved to Ohio from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1859. Before the Civil War, Levi
worked as a carpenter and studied law with Martin Welker in Wooster, Ohio. In June
1861 he enlisted in the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and fought in Virginia and West
Virginia. In September 1863, Graybill was discharged from service in the rank of
Sergeant of Co. E. His discharge certificate qualified him as “not fit for Invalid
Corps” due to “disease contracted in service.” In January 1864 he was appointed
captain in the 22nd United States Colored Infantry. The regiment fought in Virginia,
participating in the occupation of Richmond in April 1865; it also took part in the
funeral of President Lincoln and was in pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. In May the
regiment was moved to Texas and was on duty along the Rio Grande until October 1865.
At the end of the war, Graybill tendered his resignation. However, his petition was
declined and he remained in Texas until he was discharged in November 1865. Levi had
two brothers killed in action in the war. In 1870, Graybill married Frances S.
Haynes and in the 1880s they moved to Florida and then to Sunnyvale, California. The
family later dropped the “y” in their name and used Grabill instead. Levi Graybill
died sometime between 1897 and 1908.
Scope and Content
The collection is made up of diaries, correspondence, military-related documents, and
photographs all pertaining to Graybill’s service in the Union Army. The folders are
arranged in chronological order, followed by the cartes-de-visite and ephemera.
The two diaries describe recruiting in Ohio, camp life and military operations in
West Virginia and Virginia in 1861 and Texas in 1865. In the 1865 diary, Graybill
also talks about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln as well as participating in
Lincoln’s funeral ceremonies and the search for John Wilkes Booth. The military
letters and documents deal with Graybill commissions, orders, duties, resignation,
discharge, and pension. There are also several documents pertaining to the 22nd U.S.
Colored Infantry including the order for the regiment to return to Washington DC for
Lincoln’s funeral. There are also several documents dealing with courts martial
taking place in Brownsville, Texas when Graybill was stationed there in 1865. Also
included in the papers are personal letters of Graybill’s including a letter by
Colonel Joseph B. Kiddoo regarding Graybill’s resignation. There are several pieces
of ephemera including Graybill’s marriage certificate, receipts, printed items and
notes about Graybill. Participants in the collection include Major General Godfrey
Weitzel, Brevet Brigadier General Alonzo G. Draper, Joseph B. Kiddoo, and Major
General Frederick Steele.
The 53 cartes-de-visite include 34 of commissioned and non-commissioned officers of
the 22nd U.S. Colored Infantry. The majority of these are identified and have names
on the verso. There are also cartes-de-visite of other soldiers, several of which
were in different U.S. Colored Infantry regiments. The photographs include: Levi S.
Graybill, an unidentified African-American soldier, Colonel Joseph B. Kiddoo, Lt.
Colonel Ira Terry, and Ulysses S. Grant. There are also several images dealing with
Texas and Mexico including Juan Cortina, Ignacio Mejía, and Queen Charlotte. There
are also several images of Graybill family and friends including Levi’s brother
Samuel who was killed in action in 1864 and one image that might be Levi S.
Graybill, perhaps before the war.
Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Graybill, Levi S., 1841
or 1842- -- Archives.
Grabill
family.
Graybill
family.
Lincoln, Abraham,
1809-1865 -- Assassination -- Personal narratives.
Welker, Martin, b.
1819.
United States. Army.
Ohio Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1864)
United States. Army.
Colored Infantry Regiment, 22nd (1864-1865)
United States. Army --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Pictorial works.
United States. Army --
Military life -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
United States. Army. --
Courts martial and courts of inquiry -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Texas -- Description
and travel.
Texas -- History --
Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans -- Sources.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military personnel -- Union.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Pictorial works.
Uited States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
Virginia --
Description and travel.
Virginia -- History --
Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
West Virginia --
Description and travel.
West Virginia --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
Forms/Genres
Cartes-de-visite (card photographs).
Diaries -- United States Civil War,
1861-1865.
Letters (correspondence) -- United
States Civil War, 1861-1865.
Photographs -- United States Civil
War, 1861-1865.
Military records -- United States
Civil War, 1861-1865.
Personal papers -- United States --
19th century.
Box 1
Diaries, Correspondence and Documents
1861, Apr. 16-Dec. 31. Diary by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. No covers. Fragile. HM 77665
1861, Dec. 11. Letter by John Brinkerhoff to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. HM 77666
1863, Sep. 16. Discharge for Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- by John Sanford Mason. HM 77667
1863, Dec. 30. Letter by Charles Foster, 1828-1904, to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Incomplete. Half of letter is missing. HM 77668
1864, Jan. 11. Appointment to Captain by Edwin McMasters Stanton, 1814-1869. HM 77669
1864, Jan. 13. Appointment to Captain by Charles Foster, 1828-1904. HM 77670
1864, July 12-17. Leave of absence for Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- by Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin) Butler, 1818-1893.
HM 77671
1864, Oct. 24. Abstract & Voucher No. 11 Statement of Losses by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. HM 77672
1865, Feb. 15-Aug. 22. Diary by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. No covers. Fragile. HM 77673
1865, Feb. 22. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to George C. Potwin. Following the above are several endorsements. HM 77674
1865, Apr. 2. Orders by Alonzo G. Draper. Signed by William H. Rock. HM 77675
1865, Apr. 5. Orders by Alonzo G. Draper. Signed by William H. Rock. HM 77676
1865, Apr. 17. Special Orders No. 102 by G. (Godfrey) Weitzel, 1835-1884. HM 77677
1865, Apr. 24. Letter by E. W. Smith to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. On verso: endorsements. HM 77678
1865, May 17. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to A. E. King. Following the above are endorsements. HM 77679
1865, May 21. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to A. E. King. Contains endorsements. HM 77680
1865, May 31. Special Orders No. 133 by Alonzo G. Draper. Signed by H. Brownson? HM 77681
1865, June 15. Special Orders No. 137 by G. A. Smith. HM 77682
1865, June 25. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to D. D. Wheeler. Following the above are endorsements. HM 77683
1865, July 7. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to “Asst. Adjut Gen’l Dept. of the Rio Grande.” Following the above
are endorsements.
HM 77684
1865, July 9. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to “Cousin Frank.” HM 77685
1865, July 16. General Orders No. 46 by G. (Godfrey) Weitzel, 1835-1884. Copy? Signed by D. D. Wheeler. HM 77686
1865, July 19. Special Orders No. 36 by Frederick Steele, 1819-1868. Signed by J. Lyman? HM 77687
1865, Aug. 22. Letter by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842- to D. D. Wheeler. Following the above are endorsements. HM 77688
1865, Aug. 23. Letter by Joseph B. Kiddoo to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. HM 77689
1865, Sep. 4. Charges and Specifications preferred against Margarcia Banda, a civilian by Joseph B. Reed. Copy. On verso:
Endorsements of the charge.
HM 77690
1865, Sep. 18-Oct. 13. Resignation by Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Includes endorsements and response. HM 77691
1865, Sep. 20. Special Orders No. 41 by Frederick Steele, 1819-1868. HM 77692
1865, Sep. 30. Special Orders No. 50 by Frederick Steele, 1819-1868. HM 77693
1865, Oct. 11. Certification of returns and accounts by D. Mortimer Lee. HM 77694
[1865]. Statement about Levi S. Graybill’s Service. HM 77695
1866, Oct. 15. Letter of recommendation by Martin Welker, b. 1819. Letter is torn. HM 77696
1881, Feb. 7. Letter by C. G. E. Nieville to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Fragile condition. HM 77697
1882, Oct. 24. Letter by United States. Pension Bureau to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Signed by William H. Dudley. Enclosed:
Reason for returning voucher leaflet.
HM 77698
[after 1884, Jan. 24]. Letter by unknown author to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. HM 77699
1892, July 18. Statement about Levi S. Graybill’s Service by Edgar J. Pocock. HM 77700
1897, June 17. Letter by United States. Pension Bureau to Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Signed by H. Clay Evans. HM 77701
1897, Sep. 1. Grand Army of the Republic. Dept. of Iowa. Membership Certificate of Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-. Signed
by C. C. Platter and Marion Hite.
HM 77702
1908, Feb. 1. Letter by United States. Pension Bureau to E. A. Hayes. Signed by V. Warnon? HM 77703
Box 2
Cartes-de-visite and Ephemera
Commissioned and Non-commissioned Officers of the 22nd Regiment, United States Colored Infantry (1864-1865). 35 items.
Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-, Captain, Co. E. HM 77704
Unidentified African-American soldier. HM 77705
Joseph B. Kiddoo, Colonel, Field Officer. HM 77706
Unidentified soldier. HM 77707
Eugene Reistle, 2nd Lieutenant, Co. H. HM 77708
William C. Walter, 1st Lieutenant, Co. H. HM 77709
John H. Crawford, 2nd Lieutenant, Co. B. HM 77710
Peter Schlick, Major, Field Officer. HM 77711
George H. Christy, Adjutant, Field Officer. HM 77712
Cyrus R. Blodgett, Captain, Co. B. HM 77713
J. C. Krzywosynski, 1st Lieutenant, Co. C. HM 77714
William D. Milliken, 1st Lieutenant, Co. D. HM 77715
John B. Cook, Major, Field Officer. HM 77716
Ferdinand Holzer, 1st Lieutenant, Co. F. HM 77717
James C. Moore, Asst. Surgeon, Field Officer. HM 77718
William H. Short, 1st Lieutenant, Co. K. HM 77719
Jacob F. Force, Captain, Co. H. HM 77720
George D. Stiles, 1st Lieutenant, Co. K. HM 77721
Arthur Marks, Captain, Co. I. HM 77722
Albert James, Captain, Co. A. HM 77723
McKendree Shaw, 2nd Lt., Co. I. HM 77724
Marion Patterson, 1st Lt., Co. F. HM 77725
David L. Proudfit, 2nd Lt., Co. K. HM 77726
Charles W. Dodge, 1st Lt., Co. B. HM 77727
William C. Dutton, 1st Lt., Co. B. HM 77728
William W. Burke, Captain, Co. C. HM 77729
Joseph J. Farwell, 2nd Lt., Co. D. HM 77730
Ira C. Terry, Lt. Col., Field Officer. HM 77731
William L. Robinson, Quartermaster, Field Officer. HM 77732
J. Ernest Schwartz, 2nd Lt., Co. F. HM 77733
Charles F. Eichacker, Capt., Co. G. HM 77734
Emery Fisher, 1st Lt., Co. D. HM 77735
William B. Clark, Captain, Co. K. HM 77736
William H. Lyman, 2nd Lt., Co. H. HM 77737
Miscellaneous Soldiers, Mexico, Friends, Family and Levi Graybill ([c.1850]-1865). 19 items.
Benjamin Frank Kinsley, Captain, 36th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. HM 77738
William H. Dill, Captain, 118th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. HM 77739
H. L. Stone, First Lieutenant, 35th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. HM 77740
Edmund Buck, Major, 118th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. HM 77741
Unidentified soldier. HM 77742
Unidentified soldier (with hat). HM 77743
Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) Grant, 1822-1885. HM 77744
Juan N. (Juan Nepomuceno) Cortina, 1824-1894. HM 77745
Ignacio Mejía, 1813-1906. HM 77746
Carlota, Empress, consort of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1840-1927. HM 77747
“Artillery sold to Gen. Mejia by Gen’l Slaughter.” HM 77748
“Noah” (young boy). HM 77749
“Mexican scene: man with burro.” HM 77750
Samuel Graybill. HM 77751
Martin Welker, b. 1819. HM 77752
Unidentified man. HM 77754
Unidentified young girl. HM 77755
Unidentified man (perhaps Levi S. Graybill, 1841 or 1842-). HM 77756
Receipts (1864-1865). 7 items.
Ephemera (1870-1894). 10 items.