Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Will H. Morgan Letter, Ms1989-103, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Will H. Morgan Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Will H. Morgan Letter commenced and was completed in March 2022.

Biographical Note

William Harrison Morgan, son of Gerrard (aka Gerard or Garard) and Eliza Hamilton Morgan, was born in Indiana on July 28, 1840. The 1850 federal census lists 10-year-old William Morgan living in the Washington (Decatur County), Indiana home of his parents. He continues to be listed in his parents' home in Mattoon (Coles County), Illinois in the 1860 federal census, his occupation reported as farmer. William H. Morgan enlisted as a private in Company E, 38th Illinois Infantry at Mattoon on August 2, 1861, and was mustered into service on August 21. He was later promoted to sergeant and on November 27, 1863, was transferred to the U. S. Signal Corps. He married Emeline (aka Emmeline) E. Bradley (1852-1929) in 1874; the couple would have two children. The Morgans appear to have been living in Chicago as early as 1875 and as late as 1882, but eventually moved to Middletown (Henry County), Indiana, where William Morgan practiced medicine. William Harrison Morgan died in Pendleton (Madison County), Indiana on April 17, 1907, and was buried in Miller Cemetery, Middletown.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by Will. [William] H. Morgan, of Company E, 38th Indiana Infantry during the American Civil War. Written from Pilot Knob, Missouri on November 5, [1861?], the letter is addressed to Morgan's mother and is written on patriotic stationery, bearing an image of George Washington astride a horse with a caption "strike for the memory of Washington." Morgan discusses family and mutual acquaintances, reports that he is well, and relays the rumor that the regiment will be building barracks and moving into winter's quarters. He also predicts that "secessionism is broke up about here now." The letter is accompanied by a typed transcript.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Will H. Morgan Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).