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Forbes (Albert M.) Civil War Letters
MS.M.055
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine
Libraries
Title: Albert M. Forbes Civil War letters
Creator:
Forbes, Albert M.
Identifier/Call Number: MS.M.055
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(1 oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): 1862
Abstract: This collection comprises seven letters
sent from Albert M. Forbes, Lieutenant, Member Company of the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery,
to his family in 1862 during the Civil War. The letters provide a first-hand, detailed
account of skirmishes in Tennessee and Mississippi. He describes battle preparations,
soldier life in camps and the harsh living conditions, and long marches through Memphis and
other areas. He repeatedly urges his younger brother not to enlist. Forbes also mentions the
work of his officers and peers, describes troop movements under the direction of Generals
William Tecumseh Sherman and John McClernand, and criticizes General Ulysses S. Grant for
his tactical decisions. Four of the letters were apparently written while Forbes' troop was
encamped near battle sites.
Language of Material:
English .
Collection is open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by
the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish,
please contact the Head of Special Collections and University Archives.
Albert M. Forbes Civil War Letters. MS-S16. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine
Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
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.
Gift of unknown donor, ca. 1967.
Processed by Adrian Turner, 2001.
Albert M. Forbes was a Union soldier in the Civil War who served as a Lieutenant in Member
Company of the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. His Company was active in Tennessee. When the
first of these letters were written on April 16, 1862, Forbes was stationed at Boltons
Battery, after moving from Benton Barracks. By November of that same year, he was camped at
La Grange with an army of over 100,000 Union soldiers, where they clashed fiercely with
Confederate soldiers in Holly Springs. The last letter in this collection in this collection
was apparently written during the winter of 1862.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection comprises seven letters sent from Albert M. Forbes, Lieutenant, Member
Company of the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, to his family in 1862 during the Civil War. The
letters provide a first-hand, detailed account of skirmishes in Tennessee and Mississippi.
He describes battle preparations, soldier life in camps and the harsh living conditions, and
long marches through Memphis and other areas. He repeatedly urges his younger brother not to
enlist. Forbes also mentions the work of his officers and peers, describes troop movements
under the direction of Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and John McClernand, and criticizes
General Ulysses S. Grant for his tactical decisions. Four of the letters were apparently
written while Forbes' troop was encamped near battle sites.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal
narratives -- Correspondence.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 --
Correspondence.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Attitudes --
Correspondence.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns --
Correspondence.
Soldiers.
Forbes, Albert M. -- Correspondence