Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Edson J. Harkness Papers, WLU Coll. 0119, Special Collections and Archives, Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

Biographical / Historical

Edson J. Harkness was a Chicago lawyer and an officer in the U. S. Colored Troops, 6th regiment during the American Civil War.

Scope and Contents

This collection includes family correspondence (1827-1846), letters (1862-1864) written by Harkness while serving in the Civil War, commissions and court martial documents, and muster rolls (1863-1865).

Separated Material

Ordinance statements and muster rolls are housed in Oversize drawer .

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Legal documents
• Military participation -- African American
• Regimental histories
• Registers
• United States. Army. Colored Infantry Regiment, 6th