James Craft correspondence
Overview
Correspondence from Union soldier James Craft to his wife, Nancy Craft, during the Civil War. The letters express his longing for home, sickness in the camp, and efforts to send money to help Nancy with managing the house.
Dates
- 1862 - 1880
Creator
- Craft, James, -1863 (Author, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of James Craft
James Craft was born to Anderson and Catherine Craft in Indiana. He eventually married and moved with his family to Long Creek Township in Decatur County, Iowa.
Craft enlisted with the army at the age of 32 on August 15, 1862. He died of disease April 22, 1863 near Saint Louis, Missouri, at Benton Barracks.
History of 34th Regiment, Iowa Infantry
James Craft was a private in Company I of the Iowa 34th Infantry Regiment. The Regiment was organized at Burlington, Iowa, October 15, 1862. The regiment moved to Arkansas on November 22, where they were attached to the District of Eastern Arkansas. The regiment participated in General Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862 to January 2, 1863. In mid-January 1863, the group captured Fort Hindman in the Battle of Arkansas Post. After the battle the regiment was instructed to secure the prisoners, remaining with them as they moved from Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri eventually to City Point, Virginia.
Extent
.25 Linear Feet (1 document case)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
Letters sent from James Craft to his wife, Nancy, about life in camp, homesickness, disease, and payments sent home to help support the farm. Later letters after Craft's death in 1863 are authored by some of his relatives, including Jaimee Craft, Mars Richson, and Dock Cludsin. Also included in the collection are Craft's Bible and some photographs.
Physical Location
RH MS P928
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, Charles Apfelbaum, 2002.
- Title
- Guide to the James Craft collection
- Subtitle
- James Craft correspondence
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by eml, 2014
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/9078498352
- Preferred citation
-
James Craft correspondence, RH MS P928, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository