Collection consists mostly of letters from Albert Clifton Craig, while a private during the Civil War in the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, to his parents, Robert and Sarah Craig in Canton, Illinois. The company is composed of men from the area of Canton and Peoria, Illinois, including Albert’s uncle, William J. Gardner. Albert is a postilion and takes care of the horses. The company travels from Peoria, Illinois through Missouri to Pea Ridge, Arkansas where Albert is injured in battle. Albert’s letters tell the story of early recruitment, camp life, leadership troubles, a court martial, encounters with “secesh,” fighting, battle injury, medical care and death during the Civil War.
The collection includes Indian Depredation Claims from the office of John Wedderburn, claims examiner in Washington, D.C., with completed claim forms and correspondence. William R. Hearst and the San Francisco Examiner established the "Examiner Bureau of Claims" in 1891 and appointed John Weddenburn as the head person.
English
Collection is open to all researchers.
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
The Craig Family resided in Canton, Illinois during the American Civil War. Robert P. and Sarah Craig had two sons who fought for the Union in the Civil War, Albert and George, as well as other children.
0.25 Linear Feet
The fragile nature of this material may limit handling.
This collection was previously identified as Mss. Acc. 2014.103.
Acc. 2014.103 was received by Special Collections from the donor on 5/21/2014.
Accessioned and minimally described by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in September 2014. Processing and description completed in September 2014 by Anne Johnson, Special Collections Assistant.
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository