Items | Digital Collections at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library

Letter from William F. Sanders to Sophronia McNitt, circa 1860s
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, William F. Sanders. Sanders told Sophronia about plans for a ball and invited her to come to Pana, Illinois. The letter is undated but the accompanying envelope is postmarked April 16th.
Letter from Thomas B. Reames to Sophronia McNitt, May 15, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Thomas B. Reames, a private in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Reames wrote about the end of the war, including the capture of Jefferson Davis and unsurrendered troops in the South. He also expressed concern over events in Mexico and his anticipation of war.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, August 22, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 5 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about military expeditions and fights, life in camp, the reputation of Col. Jesse Phillips, and the possibility of leaving for Texas or Arkansas. He also wrote about the affairs of others back home and mentioned his dislike for Copperheads.
Letter from H. F. Potter to Sophronia McNitt, August 8, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from H. F. Potter, a Union soldier. Potter described life at camp near Helena, Arkansas, and his desires to return home.
Letter from Eli Cress to Sophronia McNitt, April 1, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 10 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Eli Cress, a Union soldier in 117th Illinois Infantry. Cress updated Sophronia on the travels of his regiment to Louisiana and others in the regiment, including men killed.
Letter from Sophronia McNitt to Anna M. Collins, January 10, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 8 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Anna M. Collins from Sophronia McNitt. McNitt described the events of the days around the Christmas holiday and spoke about the romantic lives of herself and her friends.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, December 5, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about life in camp at Corinth, some of his thoughts on local, national, and military politics, and the deaths of some friends in the Battle of Corinth.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, October 18, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey sent news from Colorado, especially discussing the work and romantic lives of himself and his companions.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, September 20, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from John H. Berry, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, to Sophronia McNitt. Berry described life at Camp Terry, a regimental muster camp in Mattoon, Illinois, and noted that his regiment would be mustering out soon.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, June 10, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about scouting operations in Florence, Alabama, leaving Corinth for Pocahontas, life and people in Pocahontas, and his disdain for Copperheads.
Letter from George M. Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, January 20, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 8 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from George M. Harkey, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Harkey wrote about Sophronia's romantic life and news from camp, including a recent injury and news of friends.
Letter from W. A. Cottingham to Sophronia McNitt, October 25, 1861
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1861 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from W. A. Cottingham, a Union soldier in the 9th Illinois Infantry. Cottingham requested a reply from Sophronia, as she had not responded to his letter of September 24, 1861.
Letter from Anna M. Collins to Sophronia McNitt, March 4, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, Anna M. Collins. Collins expressed her annoyance at Sophronia for not responding and shared the news of the death of her sister Lauretta, as well as other news from Taylorville.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, June 14, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey wrote about his work in Colorado, shared news of friends, and asked for news from Illinois.
Letter from William F. Sanders to Sophronia McNitt, February 9, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, William F. Sanders. Sanders wrote about daily activities and parties in Pana, Illinois, including the weddings of friends.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, July 24, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey wrote about life in Colorado, including the activities of mutual friends John Brown and Robert Williamson.
Letter from Thomas Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, June 6, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Thomas Moynihan, a private in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Moynihan remarked on the movements of his regiment as they prepared to muster out and shared news of men in the unit and mutual friends. He also commented on encounters with Confederate soldiers passing through the area.
Letter from W. A. Cottingham to Sophronia McNitt, September 21, 1861
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1861 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from W. A. Cottingham, a Union soldier in the 9th Illinois Infantry. Cottingham detailed the movements of the 9th Illinois and updated Sophronia on his health.
Henry H. Keithley to Sophronia [McNitt] Cress, March 18, 1884
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1884 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia (McNitt) Cress, the widow of Eli Cress, from Henry H. Keithley, County Clerk of Montgomery County, Illinois. Keithley wrote to order Sophronia's presence at the county court, so that she could report as the guardian of her son, Howard Cress. Also included with the letter is a slip of paper marking an unknown payment.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, October 1, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 10 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about life in camp, recovering from a cold, the reputation of Jesse Phillips, news about other regiments, and looking forward to furlough. Moynihan also mentioned that he thought there'd soon be a fight near Ripley, Mississippi, and noted that he hoped he woul...
Letter from Robert McWilliams to the Provost Marshal, March 2, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 2 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from Robert McWilliams, a captain in the 117th Illinois Infantry, to the Provost Marshal at Fort Pickering in Memphis, Tennessee. McWilliams requested a permit for Otis M. Williamson to return to Montgomery County, Illinois, with his belongings after a visit.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, September 26, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about his time on furlough and explained why he hadn't written in so long.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, January 2, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about army efforts to promote reenlistment, how he spent Christmas and traveled to Athens, and the weather. He also asked about people and relationships back home, and noted that he thinks the war will be over in 18 months or less.
Letter from John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, September 20, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown's letter covered several topics, including marriage and local activities in Black Hawk, Colorado, as well as asking about news from Illinois.
Letter from Anna M. Collins to Sophronia McNitt, January 16, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, Anna M. Collins. Collins wrote about her life in Taylorville, Illinois, including dances and quiltings, reflected on times spent together in Montgomery County, and informed Sophronia about her new courtship.
Letter from John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, November 9, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown criticized Sophronia for not writing back and spoke mostly of romantic connections for her and himself.
Letter from John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, November 22, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown wrote on the upcoming winter and mutual friends from Illinois, as well as Sophronia's romantic life.
Letter from John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, March 8, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown wrote about a woman he met, his move to Nebraska Territory, and asked for news from Illinois.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, August 1, 1861
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1861 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey wrote about being stationed at Camp Pope, Illinois, and his concerns about heading to Missouri.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, January 11, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey described his impressions of Utah Territory, especially the Mormons, and shared news of friends.
Letter from Sophronia McNitt to Eli Cress, [December 24, 1864?]
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Eli Cress, a Union soldier in the 117th Illinois Infantry, from Sophronia McNitt. Sophronia wrote about the 117th's recent battle in Nashville, the Christmas holiday, and other news of friends from Montgomery County, Illinois.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, September 27, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 16 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from John H. Berry, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, to Sophronia McNitt. Berry wrote on a variety of topics, including life at Camp Terry in Mattoon, Illinois; his romantic interests, including toward Sophronia; and his hopes to join the fight in the South. An addition to the letter noted that Berry's regiment would soon be bound for Springfield.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, February 15, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from John H. Berry, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, to Sophronia McNitt. Berry wrote of his boredom with life at camp in Humboldt, Tennessee, as well as matters at home in Illinois, such as "Copperhead" activities.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, January 23, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about life camp at Corinth around Christmas, the defeat at Fredericksburg, the superiority of Union soldiers to Confederates, and his thoughts on Confederate sympathizers within the army.
Letter from William F. Sanders to Sophronia McNitt, April 30
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, William F. Sanders. Sanders asked if Sophronia was involved with any other men.
Letter from Sophronia McNitt to Eli Cress, April 24, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Eli Cress, a Union soldier in the 117th Illinois Infantry, from Sophronia McNitt. McNitt wrote about the end of the war and reflections on Abraham Lincoln's assassination, as well as local news, including her mother Sarah's wedding to Charles Salyer.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, December 14, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from John H. Berry, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, to Sophronia McNitt. Berry described conditions in La Grange, Tennessee, and wrote of his desire to return home.
Letter from John Berry to Sophronia McNitt, February 3, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from John H. Berry, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, to Sophronia McNitt. Berry professed his love for Sophronia and eagerness to hear from her.
Receipt for Union Monitor Subscription for Eli Cress, [1869?]
Multi-Page Item | 2 pages | 1870 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A receipt confirming Eli Cress's payment of two dollars for a year's subscription to the Union Monitor, a Republican newspaper published out of Litchfield, Illinois, from December 1868 to December 1869. An added note at the bottom of the page notes that another subscription was paid for in January 1870.
Letter from Anna M. Collins to Sophronia McNitt, February 1, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, Anna M. Collins. Collins shared news that her father was heading to war and about her family's move to Cincinnati, Ohio. She also shared her intentions to visit Montgomery County before leaving.

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