Subject Listing:
Civil War


Alden, Albert, 1811-1892.
Business papers, 1836-1878.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CC
Correspondence, record books, deeds, indentures and mortgages of Waukesha County's first sheriff. Also includes an extract with translation of Pierre Sonnerat's 1782 book Voyage aux Indes Orientales et a la Chine; and genealogical materials on the Alden and Brewster families, especially James Alden who became an admiral in the Civil War. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Booth, Sherman M., 1812-1904.
Family papers, 1818-1908.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection BB
Papers of a 19th-century Wisconsin abolitionist agitator, politician, lecturer and publisher. Includes correspondence concerning Booth family affairs; miscellaneous school and church materials collected by Booth's daughters while living in Connecticut; Civil War soldiers' medical examination records; family diaries; and school notebooks of Lillian May Booth, one of Sherman Booth's daughters.
The majority of the collection concerns the family of Adeline P. Corss, mother of the second Mrs. Booth. The letters written during the Civil War almost completely ignore the conflict; they are instead concerned with the affairs of Booth and his family. Booth wrote only about 145 of the estimated 3,000 letters in the collection; these are mainly to his daughters and to Adeline Corss. Booth's letters have been photocopied, and the originals also remain in the collection.
Finding aid available in the Archives.
Butterfield, Miles, b. 1837.
Papers, 1864-1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 77
Letters written to and by Miles Butterfield while he was captain of Company F (1864) and later Company C (1865) of the 5th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry. The correspondence covers his repeated attempts to resign from the army, none of which were approved. There are also requests for leaves of absence and official orders describing his next assignments. There is also a detailed letter describing a dream he had in which he explains that he would not be able to live if his wife and their baby left him. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Committee of Soldiers' Monument Fund (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Records, 1895-1899.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection AA
Records of the committee to raise funds, select, and erect a monument to Milwaukee soldiers who served in the Civil War. Dedicated on 28 June 1898, the monument is located on Wisconsin Avenue in front of the Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wis. Includes minutes, subscription lists, treasurer's accounts, and correspondence, especially with the sculptor, John S. Conway. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Crocker, Hans, 1815-1889.
Papers, 1836-1887.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 85
Miscellaneous papers of a Milwaukeean active in Wisconsin economic development. The bulk of the collection (1846-1871) documents real estate transactions, consisting almost entirely of quitclaims and property tax receipts from Crocker's activities as a railroad receiver and investor in land and other ventures. Also contains some correspondence of Crocker, of relatives by marriage, and of business associates. 
The materials provide information on the price and ownership of land, but not on its subsequent use. Collection also contains some records pertaining to the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad, and includes a few items concerning the transportation of soldiers during the early years of the Civil War. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Decramer, Pierre.
Diary, 1861-1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 83
Collection contains a diary, written in French, by Decramer, dating from October 1861 through October 1865, and an English translation of the diary. Decramer was a member of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (reorganized), Company D. The diary provides a day to day description of Decramer's movements and his impressions of the war. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Eldred-Clinton-Higby family papers, 1859, 1862-1897
UWM Manuscript Collection 114
Papers of three related Milwaukee families, with some information on other extended relatives. The collection focuses mainly on the Eldred family, including some correspondence about family history, and the Civil War pension and discharge records of William H. Eldred. Collection also includes a map of family property in Milwaukee's historic Third Ward. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Emmons, Norman.
Robert Eliot and Norman Emmons papers, 1840-1882.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection EV
Papers of a Milwaukee attorney and railroad executive. Most of the collection is correspondence relating to Indian claims at Mackinac, Michigan; letters from New York investor Russell Sage about his Wisconsin business affairs; and several Civil War letters. Also contains correspondence of Emmons' brother-in-law Robert Eliot concerning family matters, and includes an 1852 letter from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Theodore Parker concerning the inscription on the Concord Bridge, and an 1854 letter of appointment to the rank of lieutenant from Matthew C. Perry to Garret V. Denniston. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Grand Army of the Republic. E. B. Wolcott Post No. 1 (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Minutes, 1911-1930.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 58
Minutes primarily concerning various patriotic and commemorative events in which the post participated. Information on the Civil War service of various Milwaukee units and lives of veterans is scattered through the minutes. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Grand Army of the Republic. Robert Chivas Post No. 2 (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Minutes, 1875-1916.
Milwaukee Small Collection 170
Minutes primarily concerning various patriotic and commemorative events in which the post participated. Information on the Civil War service of various Milwaukee units and lives of veterans is scattered through the minutes.

Hitz family.
Papers, 1835-1993.

UWM Manuscript Collection 56
Papers of the Hitz family, compiled by John B. Hitz, with some information on other extended family, especially Frederick C. Winkler, mostly from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Includes family correspondence, mainly discussing their personal affairs, photographs, scrapbooks and artifacts that focus on the lives of these family members and other relatives; and genealogical histories for the Hitz and Winkler families. Of special interest is the typescript account of Carl Winkler's 1843 emigration from Bremen to New York; the letters and military records of Rudolph Hitz, who served as a surgeon in the U.S. Army in the Montana Territory from 1867-1870; and Henry Hitz's letters from the Army (where he was a surgeon) during World War I. The collection contains photographs of Frederick C. Winkler who served in the Civil War as a brevet brigadier general, but only a few of his wartime letters, which largely discuss family matters. The collection also contains news clippings, notes, and letters of Harold Hitz Burton, J. Edgar Hoover, Helen Keller, and Norman Mailer, usually about personal affairs, sent to members of the Hitz family. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Kroehnke, John O., 1810- .
Diaries, 1884-1885.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 107
Four diaries of a farmer-painter who emigrated from Schleswig-Holstein to Sheboygan. The diaries, which are written in old German script, are supplemented by complete translations of the first volume (1848-1850) into modern German and into English and by notes on the other three volumes. Although the diaries reveal little about family life, they extensively discuss his journey to Wisconsin via New York City and the Erie Canal, the process of homesteading in the wilderness, economic conditions (especially during the Civil War), and ethnic assimilation and community life. Because Kroehnke was a relatively well educated man his diaries are also of note for linguists and paleographers. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Lyndon (Sheboygan County, Wis. : Town). Clerk.
Records, 1849-1978.
Sheboygan Series 24
Collection consists of clerk's general record books, 1849-1967; treasurer's account books, 1883-1978; election records, 1868-1907; justice of the peace dockets, 1858-1926; and a highway record book, 1868-1901. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Mallory, James Augustus, 1827-1899.
Mallory family papers, 1821-1918.
Milwaukee Small Collection 42
Papers of the Mallory family, including miscellaneous papers and certificates and a 1862 Civil War diary (containing mostly financial information) of James, who served in Company H, 24th Wisconsin Infantry; a few Confederate bank notes; U.S. Supreme Court certificates to James and Rollin B. Mallory to serve as counselors to the court; and official thanks to Jennie M. for helping procure binoculars for the U.S. Navy's World War I "Eyes for the Fleet" campaign, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Millane family.
Photographs, ca. 1861-1908.
UWM Manuscript Collection 130
Photographs taken by various members of the Millane family, including churches, homes, mineral springs, parks, public buildings, and street scenes in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Also includes photographs of members of the 5th Wisconsin Civil War infantry regiment, the departure of Company A, 4th Wisconsin Infantry for the Spanish-American War, and their reunion in 1908. The photographs are copies of the originals which are still held by the family. Finding aid available in the Archives.

Miller, Mary Abbott.
Letters, 1855-1907.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 170
Letters primarily exchanged between long-time Sheboygan County, Wisconsin residents Rev. Alonzo T. Miller and his wife, Mary Abbott Miller. The letters span their courtship and marriage in 1860, Alonzo's (1864-1865) Civil War service in Company B of the 27th Wisconsin Infantry, and periodic separations due to familial or ministerial obligations in later years. There are some letters to Mary from her parents, Civil War letters (1862-1865) from brother Martin Abbott (Company G of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry), and from a few friends and other relatives. A few letters were written by Alonzo to his parents in 1865. Remaining letters are from the Millers' four children and occasionally from one of their grandchildren. Miscellaneous materials include handwritten poems, religious items, and a small book, The Christian Minister's Affectionate Advice to a Married Couple, which includes their marriage certificate and an inscription to Reverend Irwin who married them. A 1910 news article provide biographical information. Martin Abbott's letters were written from various camps and battlefields including Camp Sigel (Milwaukee) and discuss his involvement in several important battles, including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and Atlanta. Enlisting towards the end of the war, Alonzo's frequent letters were written from Camp Randall, Little Rock, Arkansas, and several camps in Alabama and Texas. Primarily discussing his religious state of mind, Alonzo's letters also discuss camp life and his involvement in the Alabama battles at Fort Blakely and Mobile. Box 2 contains oversize letters. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Mitchell, William S., 1842-1863.
Letters, 1861-1863.
UWM Manuscript Collection 147
The collection consists of transcriptions of Civil War letters written by Captain William Mitchell to his family in Milwaukee between 1861 and 1863. Mitchell wrote about his experiences in the war and inquired about family. Several letters discuss the action in battles that the Mitchell saw with the 1st Wisconsin Regiment, including Perryville, Kentucky; Stones River, Tennessee; and Chickamauga where Mitchell was killed in action. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Munk, Emanuel, 1806-1899.
Letters, 1861-1893.
Milwaukee Micro Collection 2
Letters, mostly in German, of a physician who emigrated to Wisconsin in 1847, including letters to his son Herman written while he served as assistant surgeon to the 20th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War (1862-1863), especially about the Battle of Prairie Grove; and letters (1866-1873) describing his life in Fond du Lac and Milwaukee, and the development of business and railroads in Eastern Wisconsin, and his interest in self-education.
Ozaukee County (Wis.). Clerk.
State census population schedules, 1865.
Ozaukee Micro Series 1
State census shows names of heads of families, number, race and sex of family members, number of "deaf & dumb, blind and insane" in family, and number of foreign born in family. The schedules are arranged by town. The names on the schedules are apparently in the order in which the enumerator visited the household except for those in Cedarburg which are in alphabetical order.The schedules for Belgium and Port Washington include the name of the spouse of the head of the family. Census also includes a report of the money raised by taxation and private subscription for payment of bounties to Civil War volunteers.
Pillar, James, d. 1863.
Papers, 1862-1863.
UWM Manuscript Collection 80
Collection contains letters written by James Pillar, a member of Company B, 21st Regiment Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War, to his parents covering the dates September 1862 to September 1863. The letters provide information about the everyday life of a soldier, such as standing guard, marching, and being transported to new locations. Three letters written to the Pillar family by Pillar's chaplain and officers explain how James was fatally wounded in the battle at Chickamauga 20 September 1863. The Milwaukee Public Library staff transcribed the letters written by James, and the collection contains the transcriptions and the original letters. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Schoenleber, Otto J., 1858-1927.
Papers, 1884-1915.
Milwaukee Small Collection 36
Papers of a Milwaukee manufacturer documenting his activity in the Wisconsin Democratic Party and the election of Grover Cleveland in 1884. Also includes letters relating to the General Spinner Memorial Association, founded in memory of Francis Elias Spinner, treasurer of the U.S during the Civil War, who was the first to allow women into government service.
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Wis. Dept. Carl Witte Camp No. 37 (Sheboygan, Wis.).
Records, 1892-1957.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 130
Collection contains a cash book (1945-1957); minutes of meetings (1892-1910, 1943-1947); books of rituals, ceremonies, and documents such as letters of discharge and pension certificates; and newspaper clippings detailing the camp's meetings. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Timlin, William Henry, b. 1852- .
Autobiography, 1915.
Milwaukee Small Collection 2
Autobiography of a former Wisconsin State Supreme Court associate justice (1907-1916), describing 19th-century Wisconsin rural farm life, labor, and education in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin; Wisconsin frontier settlement; an 1861 rebellion of Ozaukee County German-Americans against the Civil War conscription; an 1862 "Indian panic" in Wisconsin; lumber camps and saw mills of Muskegon, Michigan; the 1875-1876 Black Hills gold rush and subsequent Sioux Indian War; and school superintendency and law practice in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Finding aid available in the Archives.
United States. Army. Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865).
Records, 1861-1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 78
Collection contains records of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Most of the records are from Company F. The documents include descriptive lists of clothing; lists of camp clothing and garrison equipment; ordnance and ordnance stores; hospitalization and furlough records; and a few desertion records.
The descriptive lists of clothing describe the amount allowed by the government, the amount of clothing drawn, and the balance due. The lists of camp clothing and garrison equipment are quarterly reports of clothing, camp, and garrison equipment returned to the Quartermaster General's office. The Ordnance Office records concern materials returned or owed to it by the Company. The hospitalization records describe the amount of pay drawn by those hospitalized. The furlough records describe who went where, for how long, and travel costs. There are also discharge papers for Corporal Albert West.
Finding aid available in the Archives.
United States. Army. Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, 51st (1865).
Muster-Out roll, 1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 81
Collection contains a muster-out roll for the field and staff officers and non-commissioned officers of the 51st Wisconsin, dated August 26, 1865. The muster-out roll gives the name of the men, their rank, age, when and for how long they enlisted, and the last time they were paid. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Waukesha County (Wis.). Soldiers Relief Commission.
Account book, 1902-1919.
Waukesha Small Series 8
Record of payments made to Civil War veterans, arranged chronologically, showing name and residence of recipient; amount and date paid; and remarks. Also contains some annual reports of the commission submitted to the county board of supervisors, and names of new appointees to the commission.
White, Samuel, d. 1864.
Papers, 1862-1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 135
Collection consists of seven letters written by two brothers and a friend describing their Civil War experiences to their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Samuel White, captain in the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, wrote five of the letters, which describe his role in the infamous Mud March, an officer's mess in winter camp, the appointment of Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac, the presentation of new battle flags by the governor of Wisconsin, and a review of the troops by General Grant. One letter written by William H. White describes the reaction of the soldiers to the assassination of President Lincoln. One letter from Alexander Samuels describes how Captain White lost an arm in combat and the losses incurred by his unit during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in May 1864. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Williams, Warren Lorenzo.
Letters, 1864-1865.
UWM Manuscript Collection 82
Collection contains letters written by Warren Williams, a member of Company E, 5th Wisconsin Infantry (reorganized) from 3 September 1864 to his mustering out on 19 June 1865. The letters date from 11 September 1864 to 6 June 1865 and are to his wife and family. In the letters Williams describes life as a soldier, including his muster into service in Wisconsin and being transported to various locales throughout the country.The majority of the contents deal with how much Williams would like to be able to go home and be with his family. According to the Roster Wisconsin Volunteers, Williams was from Vinland, Wisconsin. Finding aid available in the Archives.
Winkler, Frederick C., 1838-1921.
Papers, 1864-1919.
Milwaukee Manuscript Collection W
This small collection contains chiefly correspondence and documents scattered through a period of half a century. Concerning the Civil War, there is an unfinished letter, July 28, 1864, that Winkler apparently wrote to another officer describing the Battle of Peach Tree Creek; and in a manuscript he describes his officer, friend, Frank Haskell. A letter, January 28, 1869, from Carl Schurz thanks Winkler for his congratulations; two letters in 1892, from William F. Vilas and John C. Spooner, discuss politics and appointments; and a letter, May 8, 1916, from Woodrow Wilson shows the President's appreciation for a telegram from General Winkler. Finding aid available in the Archives.

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URL: http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/arch/civilwar.htm
Last edited on Monday, August 2, 2004.
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