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Levi S. Graybill Papers: Finding Aid
mssHM 77665-77756
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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.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Levi S. Graybill Papers, The Huntington Library, San
Marino, California.
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.
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
Visit the
Huntington Digital Library
to
view digitized photographs from this collection.
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.
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.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
Huntington Library's Online Catalog.
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.
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.