Craig Family Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Craig Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet
Creator:
Craig Family and Wedderburn, John, 1868-1932
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Craig Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists mostly of letters from Albert Clifton Craig to his parents, Robert and Sarah Craig in Canton, Illinois, while a private in the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery during the Civil War. 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 Wedderburn as the head person.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Acc. 2014.103 was received by Special Collections from the donor on 5/21/2014.
Custodial history:

This collection was previously identified as Mss. Acc. 2014.103.

Processing information:

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.

Physical / technical requirements:

The fragile nature of this material may limit handling.