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George Saylor letter

 Collection — Folder: S1137
Identifier: S1137

Scope and Contents

This collection includes 3 items: a letter dated November 2, 1940, from Mrs. R.H. McCletald; a daguerreotype of George Saylor; and a handwritten letter dated May 24, 1862 addressed to Robert Blakely, Esq., from George Saylor of the 15th Indiana Regiment, regarding preparation for the Siege of Corinth, and Indiana Governor O.P. Morton’s speech before the 15th Indiana Regiment at Corinth on May 23, 1862.

The letter reportedly was written by Indiana Civil War soldier George Saylor on May 24, 1862, from Head Quarters, Army of the Mississippi, near Corinth, Mississippi, to Robert Blakely. Saylor speaks of Union success at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh), and recounts preparation for imminent battle at Corinth, detailing the building of fortifications utilizing local fence railing while under enemy fire. Saylor also describes how on the morning before, (May 23, 1862), Indiana Governor O.P. Morton made a stirring speech to the 15th Indiana Regiment about bravery on the battlefield, and that Morton would "with pleasure promote all those of the Indiana Boys who proved their bravery by daring deeds of”. The handwritten letter stops abruptly at this point. A letter from Mrs. R.H. McCletald, dated November 2, 1940, identifies Robert Blakely, Esq., as her uncle, who was furloughed at the time Saylor's letter was written. Mrs. McCletald writes that George Saylor was struck and killed while seated on a log writing the letter, explaining why the letter was not finished.

Dates

  • 1862

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Mrs. R. H. McCletald on 1940/11/04.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2015/10/08 by Linda Gellert. EAD finding aid created 2015/10/08 by Linda Gellert.
Title
George Saylor letter
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671