Peter H. Wotring Letter, 1862

Item — Box: 4273.001, Folder: 008

Scope and Contents

Letter from a Civil War Union soldier stationed in Pilot Knob, Missouri, to Daniel Spangler, a friend from home. He discusses the current activities of his regiment in the war and camp life and inquires about people at home.

Dates

1862

Creator

Wotring, Peter H. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Union Private of the 58th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Army under Captain G.M. Morrison. The 58th Ohio was organized at Camp Chase in Pickaway County, Ohio the fall of 1861 in response to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 men. The regiment participated in the investment and capture of Fort Donelson (February 1862), the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), and a number of reconnaissance missions down the Mississippi before it was sent to on an expedition to Pilot Knob Missouri (1862 October 6-November 12). It proceeded to participate in Sherman’s Yazoo Expedition (1862 November-1863 January) and the Siege of Vicksburg (1863 May-July).The regiment performed provost duty at Vicksburg until December 24, 1864, and was then ordered to Columbus, where it was mustered out on January 14, 1865.

Sources:

Cleaf, Aaron R. "Chapter XXIII: Military History of the County." Van. History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizen. Chicago, Illinois: Biographical Publishing Co., 1906. Viewed electronically at: Heritage Pursuit: The Place for Historians and Geneologists. http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Pickaway/PickawayChapXXIII.htm (accessed November 13, 2008).

"Union Regimental Histories." Civil War Archive. December 19, 1999. http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unohinf4.htm (accessed November 13, 2008).