Abel D. Streight collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S1266
Scope and Contents
This collection includes certificates regarding Abel D. Streight's service in the U.S. Civil War, including as a brigadier general (1861-1871), a portrait of Streight, and a photocopied article from the Columbus, Indiana Evening Republican, dated January 2, 1880, entitled "Ringing Letter from Colonel Streight, What He Thinks of the Exodus," and was reprinted from the Logansport Journal regarding his thoughts on formerly enslaved people leaving the South and his escape from Libby Prison during the Civil War.
Dates
- 1861-1880
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.
Biographical Note
Abel Delos Streight was born on June 17, 1828, in Wheeler, New York, to Asa and Lydia (Spaulding) Streight. On January 14, 1849, he married Lovina McCarty (1830-1910) and they had one son named John. Streight was appointed colonel of the 51st Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was a brigadier general by the end of the U.S. Civil War. He is most famous for leading the first Union raid into the South in 1863. He surrendered to Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest in Alabama, and was imprisoned in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. As he was the highest-ranking Union officer, Streight was given the privilege of going first through the Rose-Hamilton tunnel, which enabled 102 Union officers to escape from Libby. With the help of Elizabeth Van Lew, he was able to make his way back to Union lines. After the war, Streight served in the Indiana Senate. He died on May 27, 1892, and was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet (1 folder, 1 small oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 2017/3/9 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid revised 2021/09/30 by Lauren Patton.
Creator
- Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869 (Person)
- Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 (Person)
- Title
- Abel D. Streight collection
- 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
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
