Edwin Messer Civil War Letters,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from Edwin Messer Civil War Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Edwin Messer Civil War Letters, Ms2015-024, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Messer, Edwin
Abstract:
The Edwin Messer Civil War Letters is a collection of letters written by Edwin Messer during his service with the 37th Illinois Infantry of the Union Army. Written to his Mother, Sister, and Girlfriend, the letters describe his accounts of the Siege of Vicksburg the battles of Prairie Grove and Pea Ridge.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Edwin Messer Civil War Letters, Ms2015-024, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the photocopies of letters sent by Edwin Messer of the 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment of the Union Army during the Civil War. Messer writes to his Sister, Mother, and Girlfriend as his Regiment moves across Illinois through Missouri and into Arkansas and finally Mississippi. Messer describes the Battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, the Siege of Vicksburg, and many minor skirmishes.

Biographical / historical:

Edwin Messer was a soldier in the 37th Illinois Infantry, a volunteer regiment of the Union Army organized in Chicago, Illinois, during the Civil War. The Regiment went by the nicknames "Fremont Rifles" and "Illinois Greyhounds" during the war.

Acquisition information:
Edwin Messer Civil War Letters were donated to Special Collections in 2004.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Edwin Messer Civil War Letters was completed in July 2015.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type.