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

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

Visit the Huntington Digital Library to view digitized photographs from this collection.

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

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

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

Cartes-de-visite

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