Jeptha S. Dillon papers, 1862-1909, bulk 1864-1865

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Summary

Creators:
Dillon, Jeptha S., 1836-1911
Abstract:
A collection of material related to Jeptha S. Dillon, American Civil War Union Army soldier.
Extent:
2.42 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jeptha S. Dillon papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection containing a diary, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera. The letters from Jeptha S. Dillon to his wife discuss camp life, military operations, war and political news and rumors, and religious life. There is also a pocket diary kept by Dillon from December 1862 to May 1863. Also included are a few letters from other family members, photographs, printed pamphlets of the 1908 and 1909 reunions of the 118th Regiment, and a blank book "Personal military and civil history" presented to Dillon by Soldiers' and Sailors' Benevolent Society.

Biographical / historical:

Jeptha S. Dillon (1836-1911) was a resident of Wythe County, Illinois before the start of the Civil War. He married Melissa Lucinda Huddletson (1841-1907) on April 20, 1859; together they had at least three sons and two daughters. In October 1862, Dillon enlisted in the 118th Regiment of Illinois Infantry; in November 1863 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. The Regiment was organized in 1862 and was attached to the Army of the Tennessee from January 1863 to July 1863, then to the Department of the Gulf from July 1863 to July 1865, and finally to the Department of Texas from July to October 1865. Dillon took part in the operations around Vicksburg, then fought in Louisiana, and at the end of the war was stationed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Dillon was mustered out in October 1865. After the war, Dillon and his family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he died on January 22, 1911.

Acquisition information:
Gift of William W. Blanks, September 1984.
Processing information:

Processed by Harriet McLoone in September 1984; in July 2025, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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]. Jeptha S. Dillon papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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