Sparks family papers

Finding aid prepared by Olga Tsapina

Manuscripts Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Fax: (626) 449-5720

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Descriptive Summary

Title: Sparks family papers

Dates: 1856-1897

Dates: bulk 1861-1864

Collection Number: mssHM 60739-60822

Creator OR Collector: Sparks (Family)

Extent: 84 pieces

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2203

Fax: (626) 449-5720

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: Correspondence and documents of the Sparks and Reed families.

Language of Material: The records are in English.

Administration Information

Access

Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, please go to following web site .

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], Sparks family papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from Butterfield & Butterfield, May 1999.

Biographical Note

The Sparks family of Bell County, Texas, was founded by William C. Sparks, a native of Mississippi. Having obtained a grant of land from the Mexican government, he settled in Robertson county and moved to Bell County in the early 1850s. He married Jane Alexander (d. 1867), a native of Arkansas. They had six children: Clara Jane (who married Volney Cavitt and lived in Wheelock, Robertson County), John, Elijah (private of Co. I of the 17th Texas Infantry, who died of pneumonia in camp in Dec. 1862), William C. (private of Co. E of 2nd Texas), Minerva (wife of Michael Reed), and Samuel A. (who ended the Civil War with the rank of the Lieutenant, and later was a farmer in Wilkinson Valley and sheriff of the Bell County).

Michael R. Reed, son of John R. Reed and husband of Minerva Sparks, joined the 17th Regiment of the Texas Infantry in June 1862, together with his brothers, Henry and Edmund, and his brother-in-law, Elijah. The regiment, part of Walker's Texas Division, McCulloch's Brigade, took part in the Red River Campaign. In Dec. 1862, Michael Reed was a male nurse at a hospital in Austin, Arkansas. In June-July 1863, he was sent to a convalescent camp four miles north of Monroe, Louisiana. In Dec. 1863 he went home on furlough. In March, when he returned to camp, he was arrested and was about to be court-martialed. He died of wounds in July, 1864 near Alexandria, La.

William Sparks, brother of Minerva Sparks Reed, joined the 2nd Texas Infantry, nicknamed "2nd Texas Sharpshooters." The regiment, one of the best drilled regiments in the Confederate Army, took part in the battle of Shiloh, Farmington, occupation of Juka, siege of Corinth, and siege of Vicksburg. It surrendered with the remainder of the Vicksburg garrison on July 4, 1863. After the surrender of Vicksburg, William Sparks made it back to Texas. The regiment was reorganized at Houston in the fall 1863, and served on the coast of Texas to the end of the war.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically. It is housed in two boxes.

Scope and Content

Letters from Michael R. Reed, William Sparks, and Clara Jane Cavitt to Minerva Sparks Reed; also documents relating to the Sparks family.

Michael Reed's letters describe the regiment's march through Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, the minutia of camp life, and encounters with Union prisoners. He at length discusses conscription, substitutes, and desertions, and duly reported war news, often rather distorted (thus he reported rumors of a complete Confederate victory at Gettysburg and Vicksburg).

William Sparks' letters were written during the siege of Vicksburg and blockade of Galveston. They contain information about camp life, diseases, (especially the outbreak of yellow fever), conscripts, Methodist preaching in Galveston, war news, and discussion of Confederate politics.

The letters of Clara Jane Cavitt and other papers of the Sparks family document life in Texas in 1850-1860s, including charity and war efforts, reaction to the conscript law of April 1862, and discussion of war news.

Typewritten transcripts are available.

Indexing Terms

Personal Names

Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks

Reed, Michael R.

Reed, Minerva Sparks

Sparks (Family)

Sparks, William C.

Corporate Names

Confederate States of America. Army -- Military life -- Sources

Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Infantry Regiment, 2nd

Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Infantry Regiment, 17th

Subjects

Red River Expedition, 1864 -- Personal narratives, Confederate

Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 -- Personal narratives, Confederate

Soldiers -- Southern States -- Correspondence

Geographic Areas

Galveston (Tex.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources

Texas -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories -- Sources

Texas -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Sources

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate.

Vicksburg (Miss.) -- History -- Siege, 1863 -- Personal narratives, Confederate

Genre

Family papers -- Texas -- 19th century

Letters (correspondence) -- Confederate States of America

Box 1

1856-1863, July (HM 60767-60787)

HM 60739 McLean, Charles D. Letter to William C. Sparks (1856, Mar. 19)

Jackson, Tenn.

HM 60740 Reed, Edmund T. Letter to Michael R. Reed (1857, Mar. 21)

Fayette Co., Tex.

HM 60741 Alexander, John. Letter to "Dear son and family" (1858, Mar. 29)

Ark.

HM 60742 Bill (1858, Apr. 16)

Tex.

HM 60743 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1858, Apr. 23)

Wheelock, Tex.

HM 60744 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1858, Dec. 5)

Wheelock, Tex. Fragile.

HM 60745 Texas. Bell County. Court. Order banning Jane Sparks, John Sparks, and Michael R. Reed from trespassing on the land of William C. Sparks (1859, Sep. 21)

Bell County, Tex.

HM 60746 Texas. Bell County. Court. Petition for injunction for Jane Sparks (1859, Sep. 22)

Bell County, Tex.

HM 60747 Cavitt, Volney. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed [1859?]

Wheelock, Tex.

HM 60748 Jalonic & Smith. Letter to William Letter to William C. Sparks (1860, Jan. 10)

Belton, Tex.

HM 60749 Jalonic & Smith. Letter to Michael R. Reed (1860, Feb. 14)

Belton, Tex.

HM 60750 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Elijah Sparks (1862, May 11)

Robertson County, Tex.

HM 60751 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, June 10)

Travis County, Tex.

HM 60752 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, June 18)

Travis County, Tex.

HM 60753 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, July 3)

Travis County, Tex.

HM 60754 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Sep. 16)

Tyler, Smith County, Tex.

HM 60755 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Sep. 22)

Tyler, Smith County, Tex.

HM 60756 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Oct. 9)

Washington, Ark.

HM 60757 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Oct. 23)

Little Rock, Ark.

HM 60758 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Nov. 3)

Little Rock, Ark.

HM 60759 Reed, Minerva Sparks. Letter to Michael R. Reed (1862, Nov. 9)

Little River, Bell County, Tex.

HM 60760 Reed, Michael R. Letter to John M. Reed (1862, Dec. 2)

Austin, Ark.

HM 60761 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Dec.9 )

Grenada, Miss. Following the above: Minerva Sparks Reed letter (1862, Dec.) to Michael R. Reed.

HM 60762 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Dec. 14)

Austin, Ark. Following the above: E. J. Reed letter to (1862, Dec. 15) "...Melinda, Jim, & Mary."

HM 60763 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Dec. 20)

Austin, Ark.

HM 60764 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Dec. 25)

Grenada, Miss.

HM 60765 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1862, Dec. 28)

Prairie County, Ark.

HM 60766 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Jan. 7)

Ark.

HM 60767 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Jan. 21)

Vicksburg, Miss.

HM 60768 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Jan. 23)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60769 Reed, Michael R. Letter to John R. Reed (1863, Jan. 27)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60770 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Sarah Atlas Sparks (1863, Jan. 30)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60771 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Feb. 12)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60772 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Mar. 1)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60773 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Mar. 8)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60774 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Mar. 20)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60775 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Apr. 3)

Pine Bluff, Ark. Fragile.

HM 60776 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Apr. 11)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60777 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Apr. 18)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60778 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Apr. 27)

Pine Bluff, Ark.

HM 60779 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, May 13)

HM 60780 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, May 25)

Robertson County, Tex.

HM 60781 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, May 25)

HM 60782 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, June 2)

Tensas River, La.

HM 60783 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, July 1)

Monroe, La. With envelope.

HM 60784 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, July 5)

Monroe, La.

HM 60785 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, July 10)

Monroe, La.

HM 60786 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, July 18)

Monroe, La.

HM 60787 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, July 28)

Black Lake, La.

Box 2

1863, August-1897 (HM 60788-60822)

HM 60788 Reed, Michael R. Letter to John R. Reed (1863, Aug. 24)

"Camp Texas," La.

HM 60789 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Aug. 27)

"Camp Texas," La.

HM 60790 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Sep. 5)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60791 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Jane Alexander Sparks (1863, Sep. 9)

Wheelock, Tex. Incomplete.

HM 60792 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Sep. 18)

Alexandria, La. Fragile.

HM 60793 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Sep. 23)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60794 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Sep. 30)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60795 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Oct. 8)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60796 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Oct. 13)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60797 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed [1863, Oct. 19]

HM 60798 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Oct. 20)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60799 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Nov. 5)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60800 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Nov. 12)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60801 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Dec. 3)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60802 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Dec. 12)

Velasco, Tex.

HM 60803 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1863, Dec. 15)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60804 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Jan. 25)

HM 60805 Sparks, John D. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Feb. 15)

New Braunfels, Tex.

HM 60806 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Mar. 11)

"Widow Norwood Plantation," La.

HM 60807 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Mar. 14)

Camp Sidney, Tex.

HM 60808 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Mar. 24)

Grand Ecore, La. Fragile.

HM 60809 Reed, Michael R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Apr. 7)

Mansfield, La. Letter may be dated 1863, Apr. 7. Following the above: Thomas R. Berry letter (1864, Apr. 7) to "My Dear Bettie."

HM 60810 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Apr. 14)

Galveston, Tex.

HM 60811 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, May 5)

Mud Island, Tex.

HM 60812 Berry, Thomas R. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, July 4)

Alexandria, La.

HM 60813 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Sep. 15)

Galveston, Tex. Fragile.

HM 60814 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Sep. 30)

Galveston, Tex.

HM 60815 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Oct. 26)

Greens Bayou, Galveston Island, Tex. With envelope.

HM 60816 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1864, Nov. 4)

Greens Bayou, Galveston Island, Tex. Fragile.

HM 60817 Sparks, William C. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1865, Jan. 4)

Galveston, Tex.

HM 60818 Hanover, Clara E. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1872, Dec. 17)

Wheelock, Tex.

HM 60819 Cavitt, Volney. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1874, Mar. 23)

Wheelock, Tex.

HM 60820 McPherson, T. F. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1874, Sep. 23)

Halville, Harrison County, Tex.

HM 60821 Sparks, Samuel A. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1885, Jan. 30)

Wilkinson Valley, Tex.

HM 60822 Cavitt, Clara Jane Sparks. Letter to Minerva Sparks Reed (1897, Mar. 22)

Robertson County, Tex.

Folder 3

Sparks Family Typescripts