Harrison Family Letters MS-0544
Meghann Herd and Dakota Greenwich
Special Collections & University Archives
04/10/2018
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Harrison Family Letters
Creator:
Harrison, J.S.
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0544
Physical Description:
0.20 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1854-1869
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
The
Harrison Family Papers are comprised of 17 personal letters written primarily between Mr. J. S. Harrison and his wife, Julia E. Harrison during
his enlistment. Letters from Julila and Mr. Harrison's family are also included; a letter from Sallie (unknown relation) to
a Mr. West; and one from Sallie writing to her husband.
Two letters predate the Civil War, one in which a sister to either Mr. or Mrs. Harrison writes of the family coming to see
"the negro" which the Harrisons intend on selling and speaks a bit about Mary, her family's slave, whom they will hire out
for Christmas. A later letter from J.S. Harrison to wife Julia mentions two slaves, Sam and Henry, who had successfully run
away.
Mr. Harrison's correspondance with his wife dates back to September 13th, 1861 in which he explains he is stationed at a boarding
house attending the sick. Subsequent letters speak of certain battles and run-ins with "Lincolnists." In some letters he
sends his wife money in the amounts of $10 or $20, and in others he divulges his discontentment and boredom with the war and
the Southern Confederacy, describing his surroundings as a bunch of "swamps and frog ponds" and often complains that there
is nothing to do. He writes that his regiment travels 5 to 10 miles a day.
In his letters from 1863 to 1864 he declares the "war will end with Abe's Presidential Career" and that their "cause is just
and God will give us the victory" but then his attitude takes a shift mid-1864, writing how he is "tired of the cruel war….Yanks
are determined to...destroy this country". In the same letter he mentions how he is staying in a private house because of
an injury he received. He tells his wife "You must not let your temper run too high with the Lincolnites as they have the
advantage now". His last letter concerning the War is dated July 22nd, 1864.
The locations of his letters are sent first from East Tennessee, and later from Kentucky (Mills Springs, Camp Waldy, Camp
Milloparego), Alabama (Decater), and Mississippi (Corinth, Okolona).
The Collection also includes letters that post-date the Civil War (1869) from a Mrs. Sallie writing to her husband and to
a Mr. R. B. West, in which she speaks of church, her family, and going on buggy rides.
Arrangement Note
Chronological
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
These materials are in the public domain. However, the nature of historical archival and manuscript collections means that
copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained
in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections,
San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. Permissions is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner
of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained
in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The
user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright
and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Source of Acquisition
Purchased.
Accruals and Additions
9999-201
Related Materials
United States Civil War Collection, 1811-1987
Asa Sackman Diaries, 1861-1862
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number,
Harrison Family Letters, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
Biographical Note
Mr. J. S. Harrison, from Liberty, Tennessee, fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War where he served as a surgeon
and later a commissary.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources
box 1
Harrison Family Letters Series 1
1854-1877
box 1, item 1
Letter to Julia Harrison from Olif Johnson Item 1
May 4, 1854
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: This letter, written by Olif Johnson, includes commentary on an expected marriage, family matters,
and a change in weather.
box 1, item 2
Letter to J. S. Harrison and Julia Harrison Item 2
1857
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: This letter is a family letter written to G.S. Harrison and wife, Julia, from their sister/sister
in law Ellen, detailing the on goings of their parents and siblings. There is a note on the Harrison's contemplation of selling
a slave included in the letter.
box 1, item 3
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 3
September 13, 1861
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include updates on Harrison's position in the Confederate Army, future plans to visit
home, and thoughts on the war and companions.
box 1, item 4
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 4
December 7, 1861
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: The letter contents include a recount of a small shoot out between North and South troops near Mills
Springs, Kentucky and updates regarding daily life as a confederate soldier.
box 1, item 5
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 5
December 12, 1861
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include recounts of shootings and battle updates between Harrison's company and Northern
soldiers, in which they killed 15 men and took 15 prisoners. Harrison received word, mid letter, that his company killed 12
to 15 more men and took 11 more prisoners in a skirmish in the middle of the night.
box 1, item 6
Letters to Julia from J. S. Harrison and W. W. Harrison Item 6
December 23, 1861
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include an anniversary note from G. S. Harrison to Julia, recounting and reminding
her of his love and an accompanying gift of $10. The letter contents also include commentary from W. W. Harrison to Julia
and recounts of company moral and bad weather.
box 1, item 7
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 7
January 1862
Scope and Contents
Scope and Content note: Letter contents includes recounts of battle engagement near Mill Springs, Kentucky, updates on Harrison's
hurt shoulder, and a gift of $20 to his wife.
box 1, item 8
Letter to Julia from J. S. Harrison Item 8
January 7, 1862
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include an update on Harrison's hurt shoulder, and commentary of the delivery of
mail to his wife.
box 1, item 9
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 9
n.d.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents correspondence with wife.
box 1, item 10
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 10
n.d.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include recounts of the passing of a young soldier named A. N. Ramsey, whom Harrison
befriended in Knoxville, and his subsequent burial. Ramsey may have been a part of the Sixteenth Alabama Regiment. The letter
also includes a short epitaph or piece of writing on Ramsey for his burial. The letter also includes updates on Harrison's
company and leaders.
box 1, item 11
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 11
March 15, 1862
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include commentary on disapproval of Confederate Army and leadership, as well as
disapproval of leaving home state for Alabama. The letter recounts travel on foot and current immediate leadership.
box 1, item 12
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 12
April 23, 1862
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter written n Burnsville, Mississippi. Letter contents include health updates, moral updates,
commentary on Harrison's horse, and well wishes to wife.
box 1, item 13
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 13
February 3, 1863
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents note: Letter written in Okolona, Mississippi. Letter contents include health updates, location updates,
and commentary on military resignation and daily life.
box 1, item 14
Letters to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 14
March 1-7, 1863
Scope and Contents
Letter date March 1, March 4, and March 7, 1863.
box 1, item 15
Letter to Julia from J. S. Harrison Item 15
May 22, 1864
box 1, item 16
Letter to Julia Harrison from J. S. Harrison Item 16
July 22, 1864
box 1, item 17
Letter to R. B. West Item 17
September 26, 1869
Scope and Contents
Letter signed by "Sallie"
box 1, item 18
Letter to R. B. West Item 18
July 1, 1877
Scope and Contents
Letter signed by "Sallie"
