Center for Archival Collections

Abstracts: Part 3--Box 13

Box 13

Folder 1

1. H.H. Alban, Findlay, OH, June 12, 1889
   Replies to a letter by McMahan (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 1) concerning a history written by Lieutenant Vance about the part the 21st O.V.I. played at Chickamauga (some of the history appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette); Recounts his contact with Vance and provides a detailed account of the part he and his command, Company F, played in the battle; Expresses frustration with Vance for making so much of his command's actions.
2. H.H. Alban, Findlay, OH, July 10, 1889
   Responds to McMahan's letter requesting information about casualties at Chickamauga in Company F; Informs McMahan of the corrections and additions he has made and encourages him to contact J.L. Keller, who has the Company records.

Folder 2

1. H.M. Bayless, Concord, MN, July 1, 1889
   Answers McMahan's queries about the 2nd Minnesota's move to the right during the battle of Chickamauga; Provides the approximate time, and describes what he witnessed; Advises him to contact Colonel Judson W. Bishop.
2. J.W. Bishop, St. Paul, MN, August 10, 1889
   Responds to a letter from McMahan (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 11) by providing a detailed account of the 2nd Minnesota's movements at Chickamauga, emphasizing the circumstances of the 2nd's replacement of the 21st O.V.I.; Includes a typewritten excerpt from the history of the 2nd Minnesota that deals with the relief of the 21st O.V.I.
3. J.W. Bishop, St. Paul, MN, August 14, 1889
   Acknowledges McMahan's letter of August 12 (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 13); Has seen the official reports of Colonel George (2nd Minnesota) and Colonel VanDerVeer (3rd Minnesota) both of which give an earlier time for the 2nd's arrival to relieve the 21st than Bishop believes accurate.

Folder 3

1. J.H. Bolton, Findlay, OH, August 14, 1888
   Responds to McMahan's request for a description of the capture of the 26th Tennessee Regiment's colors at the Battle of Stones River; Provides a detailed account of his discovery of the 26th's dead color bearer, his inability to obtain the flag himself since it would prevent him from being able to fire his musket, and his return to find it gone; Attests that the color bearer was killed by someone in the 21st O.V.I.
2. J.H. Bolton, Findlay, OH, May 30, 1889
   Acknowledges receipt of an article McMahan published in the Daily Commercial correcting an article by General Boynton printed earlier in the Commercial Gazette; Commends McMahan for providing an accurate account of the role the 21st O.V.I. played at Chickamauga.
3. J.H. Bolton, Findlay, OH, July 10, 1889
   Announces receipt of McMahan's request for information about a list of names (probably one of the casualty lists McMahan was circulating) and his intention to send a copy to Sergeant Phillip Willich for comments; Expresses distaste for General Boynton's attempts to enlarge the importance of the role he played at Chickamauga; Extends support for McMahan's project.
4. J.H. Bolton, Findlay, OH, September 7, 1889
   Notes enclosure of the list of names McMahan had sent to him with the comments of Robert Timmerman, former member of Company B of the 21st O.V.I.
5. J.H. Bolton, Findlay, OH, September 12, 1889
   Responds to McMahan's request for information by providing the address of J.L. Keller and the names and addresses of members of Company D that might usefully cooperate with his inquiries.

Folder 4

1. H.V. Boynton, Washington, D.C., July 26, 1889 (original plus handwritten copy and comments by McMahan)
   Responding to a letter by McMahan (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 9), Boynton presents his account of the the battle on Horseshoe Ridge at Chickamauga and the capture of the 22nd Michigan and the 21st and 89th O.V.I.; Blames Granger for not notifying these regiments of the withdrawal of other troops; Describes his regiment's movements and the positions and movements of the 21st, 22nd and 89th, specifying times; Includes a map; Copy of the letter includes McMahan's comments on Boynton's errors.

Folder 5

1. [1889]
   Photographic reproductions of General Boynton's map.

Folder 6

1. General Brannan, ret., New York, NY, 4 April 1890
   Responds to McMahan's request (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 14) to correct/alter his official report of the Battle of Chickamauga with a refusal since he doubts his memory of an event that occurred 26 years before could be superior to a report filed soon after the event.

Folder 7

1. S.S. Canfield, Perrysburg, OH, August 25, 1866
   Very brief note: "Please find affidavit inclosed (sic)--No charge."
2. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, November 27, 1888
   Acknowledges letter from McMahan and expresses pleasure that the true role of the 21st played at Chickamauga will be known; Quotes a number of men to establish the importance of the 21st's activities, including General Brannan's aid, Colonel Walker, and a rebel officer.
3. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, June 3, 1889
   Has seen a copy of an interview with McMahan about the Battle of Chickamauga in the Toledo Commercial and expresses his satisfaction; Encourages McMahan to write a history of the Regiment; Recounts his correspondence with H.M. Bayless of Concord, MN to demonstrate that it was the 2nd Minnesota and 22nd Michigan who relieved the 21st on Snodgrass Hill.
4. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, June 7, 1889
   Acknowledges receipt of papers from McMahan, among which is Lieutenant Vance's account of the action on Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga; Claiming Vance's description is highly inaccurate, he provides a detailed account of his Company's movements during the battle; Also recounts information from H.M. Bayless and General Steedman.
5. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, June 11, 1889
   Responds to a letter from McMahan by recalling who was giving orders during the battle; Calls McMahan's attention to an account of the battle published in Century Magazine(1887) by Confederate General D.H. Hill.
6. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, July 6, 1889
   Acknowledges receipt of a letter from McMahan containing another article by Lieutenant Vance; Expresses gratitude for McMahan's praise for his role in the battle; Notes enclosure of "corrected list" (probably casualty list McMahan was circulating); Speculates on contacting surviving members of the 89th Ohio and 22nd Michigan.
7. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, July 18, 1889
   Notes receipt of a letter from McMahan with a copy of a June 11 article from the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette enclosed; Once again gives a very detailed account of Chickamauga; Identifies the position of himself and his men as to the right of the 9th Ohio and once again contends that the 21st was relieved by the 2nd Minnesota and 22nd Michigan.
8. S.S. Canfield, Scotch Ridge, OH, September 10, 1889
   Lists four men wounded at Chickamauga; Recounts the facts concerning the death, several days earlier, of Lieutenant Patterson who was thrown from a buggy.

Folder 8

1. C.H. Carlton, Harrisburg, PA, August 8, 1889
   Responding to a letter from McMahan (Box 12, Folder 10, Item 8), Carlton, Lieutenant-Colonel in the 89th Ohio at Chickamauga, provides a detailed account of the 89th's movements at Chickamauga, specifying its position at various times and providing a diagram of its movements in relation to the 22nd Michigan and the 21st O.V.I.; Notes the upcoming meeting of the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga and refers to the health problems that prevent him from attending.

Folder 9

1. Abraham Cassel, McComb, OH, January 25, 1890
   Asks McMahan to support a claim he made for a disability pension based on loss of hearing; Details the incident near Vining Station to which he attributes his hearing loss (being positioned in a shallow trench in the midst of heavy shelling); Notes McMahan's presence on the occasion and the death of other key people who could have supported his claim; Refers to his personal hardships and the pensions received by others present on the occasion.
2. Abraham Cassel, McComb, OH, January 29, 1890
   Responds to a letter from McMahan asking about how he became separated from his regiment; Cassel gives a lengthy account of his movements after the fall of Atlanta, noting that he was cleared of charges of desertion; Stresses that although some statements supporting his pension claim are now on file, they need to be corroborated by an officer.
3. Abraham Cassel, McComb, OH, February 24, 1890
   Brief note in which, once again, Cassel asks McMahan to corroborate the statements supporting his pension claim; Notes imminent death of Lieutenant James Porter (Company G, 21st, O.V.I.).

Folder 10

1. Abel Comstock, Bowling Green, OH, June 9, 1889
   Refers to postal cards sent by McMahan and an article by Lieutenant Vance; Philosophically considers Vance's motivations and the nature of glory on the battlefield; Encourages McMahan to publicly state the truth about the 21st O.V.I.'s role at Chickamauga; Analyzes the great importance of the officers in volunteer regiments, and of McMahan in particular, since enlisted men had a very limited understanding of the military and expected the officers to "carry them through every situation"; Concludes by expressing the esteem he has for McMahan and the increasing esteem with which McMahan is regarded by his former subordinates.

Folder 11

1. Isaac Cusac, McComb, OH, May 10, 1890
   In response to a letter from McMahan, expresses doubt that he will have time to write a letter concerning the 21st's activities soon enough to send to Chattanooga for the upcoming meeting on the battlefield; Suggests he may be able to travel to Chattanooga in person, depending on costs, and expresses confidence that he will be able to locate the positions the 21st held on the battlefield.
2. Isaac Cusac, McComb, OH, May 26, 1890
   Tells McMahan about the meeting on the Chickamauga battlefield of representatives of the 1st and the 115th of Illinois, and the 89th, 98th and 21st of Ohio; Speaks of general agreement on the position of the various forces except for the location of the 21st when captured; Talks of changes in the battlefield's appearance due to vegetation; Disagrees with McMahan over identity of relief forces and the time the 21st was relieved; Mentions the presence of Dolton and his daughter at the meeting.

Folder 12

1. Linneus S. Jenkins, Evart, MI, March 10, 1884
   Tries to recall himself to McMahan's memory by recounting War-time events, including his single-handed capture of eight Confederate soldiers; Requests McMahan to write a statement retelling the events he recounts so he may apply for a larger pension, since his old wounds are worsening, and for membership in the GAR; McMahan's statements will be particularly important since Jenkins has lost his discharge papers.
2. Linneus S. Jenkins, Evart, MI, May 26, 1884
   Notes receipt of McMahan's letters; Expresses sympathy for McMahan's ill-health; Explains where and how he was wounded and the discomfort the injury is causing him; Explains in greater detail why he wants a signed statement from McMahan; Encloses a statement he has prepared that he encourages McMahan to sign.

Folder 13

1. J.L. Keller, Jenera, OH, February 14, 1890
   Responds to a letter from McMahan by stating the Company he was in and rank he held at Chickamauga; Gives status of Lieutenant Richards (absent without leave); Recounts his wounding.
2. J.L. Keller, Jenera, OH, May 11, 1890
   Gives a detailed account of the position of the 21st at Chickamauga, paying specific attention to Companies A and F; Provides a description of landscape features and estimated distances.

Folder 14

1. J.S.M. [John S. Mahony], Bradner, OH, July 23, 1889
   Speculates on the identity of the officer who ordered the 21st's final charge; States that Colonel VanDerVeer was the ranking officer on the field and that a man with spectacles ordered the charge, although he does not know the man's name.
2. John S. Mahony, Bradner, OH, July 23, 1889 (enclosure)
   Communicates essentially the same information as in the above letter but puts it in the form of an official statement and provides more details.
3. John S. Mahony, Bradner, OH, August 22, 1889
   Answering a request from McMahan, lists the men wounded in Company K of the 21st (George W. Hathaway, John W. Pember, William R. Forest, and Isaiah Smith) providing some information about their wounds.
4. John S. Mahony, Bradner, OH, May 12, 1890
   Responding to a letter from McMahan, provides a very detailed account of the movements of Company K, 21st O.V.I. which he commanded at Chickamauga; Refers to a map sent by McMahan and suggests some alterations along with his reasoning; Mentions a meeting of battle survivors to be held May 21.
5. John S. Mahony, Bradner, OH, May 12, 1890
   Refers to his statement of the movements of the 21st contained in the above letter of the same date apologizing that he cannot remember all that McMahan wished him to write about; Refers again to the upcoming meeting of battle participants, wondering if Boynton might be able to clarify the facts.

Folder 15

1. Arnold McMahan, Toledo, OH, July 6, 1880
   Letter to J.S. Norton inviting him to make an address at the 21st's annual reunion at Fostoria; Attached is a postal card on which Norton sends his regrets since he will be in Eutah (sic) at the time.
2. N.H. Miller, McComb, [OH], June 3, 1889
   Postal card in which Miller responds to a postal card from McMahan; Briefly mentions his health and describes position of the 22nd Michigan at Chickamauga.
3. N.H. Miller, McComb, [OH], June 12, 1889
   Responds to a letter from McMahan by describing the 22nd Michigan's fighting at Chickamauga; Makes specific mention of General Steedman's (sic) order.
4. William Didway, Findlay, OH, June 30, 1889
   States that he cannot provide the information McMahan wants; Notes that B.R. Lamb, currently of Sandusky, OH, and himself are the only surviving members of the 21st's color guard.
5. J. S. Fullerton, Southampton, Long Island, August 4, 1889
   Cannot provide the information McMahan requests; Wishes to meet McMahan at the forthcoming meeting of the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga.
6. L.C. Wilson, Bowling Green, OH, August 24, 1889
   Replies to a letter from McMahan by providing specifics about the wounds received by Frank Van Camp and himself; Refers to Almon (?) G. Harrison but can provide little specific information.
7. Cong. M.M. Boothman, Bryan, OH, September 16, 1889
   Pledges to do what he can to get the 22nd Michigan and 21st and 89th O.V.I. the credit they deserve when he returns to Washington if McMahan will provide the information he has collected.
8. Q.A. Randall, C.C. Gundy, S.S. Canfield, Elmore, OH, September 19, 1889
   Written from the 21st O.V.I. reunion, responds to the letter of greeting McMahan sent to the reunion (Box 12, Folder 11, Item 8); Extends "sympathy and. . . remembrance" on behalf of the regiment.
9. D.S. Young, Cincinnati, OH, February 7, 1890
   Provides detailed account of his attempt to secure an issue of the Commercial Gazette for McMahan; Praises a recent book by General Turchin; Notes he did not get an appointment for which McMahan had recommended him.
10. Charles W. Raislor, Postmaster, Athens, Alabama, February 13, 1890
    In replying to a letter from McMahan concerning James Donnell, states that Donnell was in the Alabama Legislature before the War and never in the Army; Believes Colonel Norton of the 21st O.V.I. made Donnell's house his headquarters when the regiment was in Athens in 1862.
11. W.C. Watson, Jr., Findlay, OH, February 20, 1890
    Offers McMahan a speech and poem by his brother George M. Watson for inclusion in the "book" McMahan is writing.
12. Arnold McMahan, Toledo, OH, April 26, 1890
    Copy of a letter addressed "My Dear Doctor" in which McMahan speaks of enclosing notes on Chickamauga for a "Sunday meditation."
13. James E. Campbell, Columbus, OH, June 20, 1890
    Pledges to do what he can to rectify errors in accounts of the Battle of Chickamauga, particularly as they will affect the National Park to be established on the battlefield; A draft of the letter McMahan sent to Campbell expressing his concern over the proper placement of monuments on the Chickamauga battlefield is attached.

Folder 16

1. General J.S. Negley, New York, NY, June 6, 1889
   Notes receipt of letter from McMahan containing articles about Chickamauga; Criticizes Boynton for "calumnies" against his command; Praises the 21st and encourages McMahan in his efforts.

Folder 17

1. G.S. Robinson, Storm Lake, IA, July 13, 1888 (handwritten copy attached)
   Responding to a notice in the National Tribune, Robinson (115th Illinois) describes a charge made by the 21st at Chickamauga; Specifies the positions of the 21st, 22nd Michigan, and 89th Ohio; Recounts being helped from the field by H.H. Van Camp of the 21st after receiving wounds.
2. G.S. Robinson, Storm Lake, IA, September 19, 1888
   Acknowledges receipt of a copy of an address McMahan presented at the 21st's reunion; Expresses sympathy for McMahan's physical condition; Notes a Wood County Gazette article about McMahan being made regiment historian; Presents further details about the charge made by the 21st; Responds favorably to the idea of a meeting of those men who fought on "Horse Shoe Ridge" at Chickamauga.
3. G.S. Robinson, Storm Lake, IA, September 27, 1889
   Reports on a reunion at Chattanooga and his survey of the battlefield; Remarks over the physical changes on the site; Expresses doubt that the positions of the various forces will ever be established exactly; Describes the avidness with which visitors to the site search for souvenirs.

Folder 18

1. Wilson Vance, Findlay, OH, July 5, 1889
   Acknowledges letter from McMahan but says he has little detailed memory of the battle; States that he wrote the report signed by Vantine and calls it entirely inadequate; Agrees to forward McMahan's letter to Sergeant Schochard; Expresses support for McMahan and asks if he has seen a letter by VanDerVeer in the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
2. Wilson Vance, Findlay, OH, August 13, 1889
   Asserts honorableness of Boynton, claiming Boynton would not knowingly make misstatements; Says he has spoken with Boynton and found that Boynton's recollections differ from McMahan's and his own.

Folder 19

1. Ferdinand VanDerVeer, Hamilton, OH, July 15, 1889
   Responds to a letter from McMahan containing a copy of a letter McMahan supposedly sent VanDerVeer in 1864 (see Box 12, folder 10, Item 4 and copy--Box 12, folder 8, Item 40); VanDerVeer denies having ever received McMahan's letter and denies the accuracy of the main items in McMahan's account of the 21st's actions at Chickamauga, including the claim that the 21st was acting under VanDerVeer's orders at one point.

Folder 20

1. Dr. J.T. Woods, Toledo, OH, February 2, 1890
   Acknowledges receipt of "documents" from McMahan; Briefly discusses his ill-health; Refers to the falseness of accounts of Chickamauga, particularly that of Steedman; Praises McMahan for the account he has written; Notes McMahan's statements on the treatment of "fugitives" (apparently former slaves) and recounts witnessing the harsh treatment of one former slave; Encourages McMahan to complete his manuscript.
2. Dr. J.T. Woods, Toledo, OH, July 14, 1890
   Recounts a conversation he had with Colonel Moe while going over the battlefield with him; Citing McMahan as his authority, he told Moe that LaFever was captured before the rest of his regiment; Encloses a letter he received from Moe after his return to Toledo.
3. S.B. Moe, Chattanooga, TN, June 23, 1890 (enclosure)
   Contests Woods claim that Colonel LaFever was captured before his regiment; Quotes excerpts from official reports by Trigg, Kelly, and Hawkins to prove that LaFever was captured with his regiment.
4. (handwritten copy of Woods--7/14/90 and Moe--6/23/90 on a single leaf)(enclosure)
   

Folder 21

1. Arnold McMahan, Toledo, OH, February 10, 1890
   Letter to W. Bramlette, Esq.; McMahan asks Bramlette, whom he believes to have been in the 54th Virginia under Kelly or the 63rd Virginia under Trigg, to write an account of the capture of the 21st O.V.I. and the details about the killing of Colonel Trigg's orderly.

Folder 22

1. Portland, OR, August 19, 1891
   Letter of condolence to McMahan's children.
2. Mrs. J.T. Matran (?), Tama (?), IA August 23, 1891
   Letter of condolence to McMahan's children; Provides some of her memories of McMahan and details her friendship with him.

Folder 23

1. Joseph Power, Milwaukee, WI, September 5, 1879
   Apparently sent to George Scheets, refers to a document which Power needs signed.
2. George Scheets, November 17, 1902 (draft)
   Addressed to [David N.] Maginnis; Notes enclosure of a paper Maginnis requested and asks that it be carefully handled and returned.
3. Quartermaster's Bond for Ford Post #14 of the G.A.R. of Ohio, January 5, 1900
   Bond assigned to George Scheets as Quartermaster of the post; Later (January 4, 1901) assigned to Harrison Hathaway upon his election as post commander.
4. John Schlatter, Toledo, OH, October 8, 1923
   Letter of appreciation for an address delivered by Scheets at the dedication of the Peter Navarre Monument in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Folder 24

1. John S. Kountz, Toledo, OH, March 3, 1885
   Kountz, commander-in-chief of the G.A.R., congratulates Scheets on his election to the position of Mayor of Toledo.
2. John Peattie, Adrian, MI, March 4, 1885
   Congratulates Scheets on election to mayorship.
3. D.A. Pelton, Toledo, OH, March 4, 1885
   Note of congratulations.
4. Chris [Scheets], Toledo, OH, March 4, 1885
   Note of congratulations.
5. Charles S. Young, Toledo, OH, March 4, 1885
   Note of congratulations.
6. Mayor Fred Yeager, Perrysburg, OH, March 5, 1885
   Note of congratulations.
7. J.J. Kirby, Toledo, OH, April 12, 1885
   Acknowledges receipt of a copy of Scheets first annual message as mayor.

Folder 25

1. George Scheets, Atlanta, GA, September 15, 1864
   Letter to his wife; Describes the landscape around Atlanta; Discusses financial matters; Notes expectations of a new commission.
2. George Scheets, Washington, D.C., June 5, 1865
   Letter to his wife; Speculates on when he will be discharged; Discusses the break-up of Sherman's army; Describes his regiment's trip north and the beauty of the park in which they are stationed near Washington, D.C.; Notes the visit of their former commander, General Thomas, to the regiment; Refers to Jefferson Davis and his confinement in the "old capitol."
3. Mrs. Nellie F. Canfield, Jacksonville, FL, March 19, 1893
   Describes the visit of herself and her son Georgie with her mother and father; Asks if Canfield will be visiting the World's Fair; Speculates on when she will return to Milwaukee.

MS 562: Introduction | Transcript List
MS 562 Series Description: MS 562: Introduction | 86th O.V.I. Records | Arnold McMahan Papers
MS 562 Abstracts: Part 1 (McMahan Correspondence) | Part 2 (Box 12) | Part 3 (Box 13) | Inventory
Manuscripts by Subject | Civil War Collections