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Henry and Lucy Fike papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 5

Overview

The correspondence of the Fike papers is divided into three series the first grouping is composed of sequentially numbered letters, dating from August 25, 1862 to July 9, 1865, written by Henry C. Fike to his wife. Lucy Cimbaline's written response to her husband's letter are arranged chronologically in the second portion of the collection. The third series is a grouping of unnumbered letters received by Henry C. Fike from various relatives and friends. The collection also includes Lucy Cimbaline Fike's diaries and recipe book.

Dates

  • Creation: 1862 - 1906

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Henry C. Fike

Henry C. Fike was a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps, 117 Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He was billeted at Fort Pickering, Memphis, Tennessee, and participated in several military engagements in the state of Missouri, as well as in Alabama, Kentucky, and Louisiana. Henry C. and Lucy (Cimbaline) Fike made their home in Mascoutah, Illinois, where Lucy Cimbaline resided during her husband's service with the Union Army from 1862-1865.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (5 boxes + 8 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the collection consists of letters between Henry C. and Lucy Cimbaline Fike. Other correspondents or individuals named in the letters include Ellie Fike, Ausby Fike, Sterling Price (1809-1867), and William Gannaway Prownlow (1805-1877).

U.S. Civil War battles and sieges described in some of the collection include the Siege of Fort Blakeley in 1865, the Siege of Mobile, Alabama in 1864, the Battle of Nashville in 1864, the Battle of Pleasant Hills, Louisiana in 1864, the Battle of Sabine Crossroads in 1864, the Siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama in 1865, and the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1863, as well as the 1864 Red River Expedition. Forts and camps mentioned in the letters include Camp Butler, Illinois; Camp Chalmette, Louisiana; Fort Morgan, Alabama; Fort Pickering, Tennessee (where Fike was billeted); and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

Letters also discuss the 1864 U.S. presidential election and describe conditions in some areas of the South and Midwest, including Corinth, Mississippi; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Alexandria, Louisiana; Cairo and Mascoutah, Illinois; California and St. Louis, Missouri; and Columbus, Kentucky.

Physical Location

RH MS 5

Physical Location

RH MS A4

Physical Location

RH MS A5

Physical Location

RH MS A6

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Martha Rayhill estate, 1965; 1969.

Title
Guide to the Henry C. Fike Collection
Subtitle
Henry and Lucy Fike papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by jma,1973; lgg, 1973; mg 2004. Finding aid encoded by mg, 2004. Finding aid revised by mwh, 2019.
Date
2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/4300341321
Preferred citation
Henry C. Fike Collection, Kansas Collection, RH MS 5, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334