Samuel H. Chaney Civil War correspondence

Collection — Box: Civil War 2, Folder: 14-15

Identifier: 2016-139-w-r

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains three letters from Pvt. Samuel H. Chaney to his wife, Rosey Ann. In a letter dated "February," Chaney writes that "there Was only 17 men that got any money And onley got two monthes wages at That" [sic]. He encourages Rosey to ask her father for support during the War. A second letter, dated November 23, 1864, urges her to apply for store credit on the promise that Chaney will be paid wages in two weeks. He also states: "they Say that old Breckenridge are Coming here to atact us at this Place But I dont think that thare Is nothing of it" [sic]. In a third, undated letter, Chaney expresses love in verse for Rosey and their "Sweet little child That is So dear to me." He also asserts that he would like to drive "the Abolishners from the land they know Ocapy fore they are nither loyel Nore good Sitzens of the united States Nore they are not hardley white Nore fit to live amongest white folks but they have got the honest class of people in to it And they will stay back and ag It on just as fast as they can" [sic]. Lastly, the collection contains typed transcriptions of the correspondence; a brief biography of Samuel H. Chaney, presumably written by the donor; and a photocopied page from a diary that belonged to Rose Ann Chaney.

Dates

1863-1864

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Biographical / Historical

Private Samuel H. Chaney (c. 1840-1866) was born in Coshocton County, Ohio. He married Rose Ann Henderson (1843-1889) in 1862. Their daughter Alice Clementine Chaney ((1863-1934) was born in April 1863. Chaney enlisted in Company F of the 43rd Indiana Infantry in December of 1863. His Regiment fought mainly in Arkansas. Company F under Captain James B. Dyer was stationed at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, whence Chaney sent his letters. He mustered out in June of 1865 in Indianapolis, Indiana. A photocopy of a page in his wife's notebook indicates that Samuel Chaney died on November 28, 1866. No cause of death was given.

Extent

.2 Linear feet (2 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains three letters written during the Civil War by Private Samuel H. Chaney, who served in Company F of the 43rd Indiana Infantry Regiment, Union Army. Chaney wrote to his wife, Rose Ann [Henderson] Chaney, and to their infant daughter, Alice Clementine Chaney.

Also included in the collection are typed transcriptions of the letters, a brief biography of Samuel H. Chaney, and a photocopy from a notebook that belonged to Rose Ann Chaney.