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

Letter from Anna M. Collins to Sophronia McNitt, October 16, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, Anna M. Collins. Collins wrote about her recent illness and shared news of soldiers serving in the war as well as other events. Also included is a "model love letter" template.
Letter from Thomas Moynihan and Mary "Mollie" McNitt to Sophronia McNitt, August 4, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Mary "Mollie" McNitt, her sister-in-law, and Mary's brother Thomas Moynihan, formerly a private in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Mary shared news from home, including the return of the 126th to Montgomery County. Thomas shared more details of his discharge and arrival, and sent news of family and friends in Montgomery County.
Letter from "The Left Hand" to Sophronia McNitt, January 7, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from "The Left Hand" (possibly Otis Williamson?). The author described an incident regarding some stolen rum and other news from home.
Letter from William F. Sanders to Sophronia McNitt, January 2, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, William F. Sanders. Sanders told Sophronia about his New Year's activities as well as other news from Pana, Illinois. He also invited her to visit.
Letter from W. A. Cottingham to Sophronia McNitt, January 31, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from W. A. Cottingham, a Union soldier in the 9th Illinois Infantry. Cottingham responded to Sophronia's rejection of his romantic advances and promised not to write again.
Letter from A.W. Kelly to Sophronia McNitt, June 27, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Ambrose W. Kelly, a Union sergeant in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Kelly wrote about being stationed near Vicksburg, Mississippi, noting how hot, tired, and hungry he was and how he wanted to go on furlough. He also noted all the killing, specifically the death of Bob[?] Williams or Williamson.
Letter from Anna M. Collins to "Dear Girls", July 27, 1870
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1870 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from Anna M. Collins to "Dear Girls", possibly Hellen and Jennie McNitt. Collins sent her regards and shared news from Pleasant Grove, including a "Mrs. B" that was due to give birth.
Letter from Louis Harkey to Sophronia McNitt, August 4, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, Louis Harkey. Harkey updated Sophronia about his activities in Colorado and travel of friends, including Sophronia's brother Francis "Frank" McNitt.
Bradley, Olden, and Scholes to Eli Cress, July 30, 1866
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1866 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Eli Cress from Bradley, Olden, and Scholes, Attorneys at Law from Springfield, Illinois. The letter notified Cress of a bounty he was entitled to for his service with the 117th Illinois Infantry.
Letter from Eli Cress to Francis "Frank" McNitt, November 21, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Francis "Frank" McNitt from Eli Cress, a friend and Union soldier in the 117th Illinois Infantry. Cress described the unit's camp in Memphis, including the climate, the girls, and the threat from nearby Confederate troops.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, October 5, 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 asked after Sophronia and requested she write him back.
Letter from Frank to Sophronia McNitt, May 3, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from "Frank", a Union soldier at Fort Pickering, Tennessee (possibly J. Frank Williamson). "Frank" wrote about the conditions at Fort Pickering, including the weather and the condition of the men, and also discussed news from Illinois and other correspondents.
Letter from Thomas Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, December 24, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Thomas Moynihan. Moynihan shared news of life in Chicago, discussed his plans for the Christmas holidays, and asked for Sophronia to visit.
Note from Unknown to Sophronia McNitt, April 1, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A note to Sophronia McNitt from an unknown author in Pana, Illinois. The note only bears the date of April 1, 1863 and is otherwise blank.
Letter from Anna M. Collins to Hellen McNitt and Jennie McNitt, April 27, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Hellen and Jennie McNitt from their friend, Anna M. Collins. Collins informed the sisters that she was coming to visit Montgomery County soon and made requests for her visit.
Letter from Sophronia McNitt to George M. Harkey, June 8, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to George M. Harkey, a Union soldier in the 126th Illinois Infantry, from Sophronia McNitt. McNitt wrote about her hopes for the return of Harkey's regiment and about visits with family and friends. It is possible this letter was never sent, as it is incomplete.
Letter from Thomas Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, May 8, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Thomas Moynihan, a private in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Moynihan wrote on battles occuring during the Camden Exposition near Little Rock, Arkansas, and remarked on news from Illinois.
Letter from "Bachelor" to Sophronia McNitt, March 28, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from an anonymous "Bachelor". The "Bachelor" wrote from Memphis, Tennessee, confessing his affection for Sophronia and praising her beauty.
Letter from William F. Sanders to Sophronia McNitt, January 20, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her friend, William F. Sanders. Sanders asked for a reply from Sophronia regarding his letter of January 7, 1863.
Letter from Thomas Moynihan to Sophronia McNitt, March 31, 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 wrote about life aboard the steamer Nebraska in the White River in Arkansas and encountering the 117th Illinois Infantry. He also discussed his hopes to return home and shared other news of men in his unit.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to J. Frank Williamson, August 25, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 4 pages | 1862 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to J. Frank Williamson from Patrick Moynihan, a private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about some of the happenings at Camp Rienzie, writing to other friends, his devotion to the Union cause, and how he justified not writing to Frank sooner.
Letter from Edward F. Knight to Sophronia McNitt, January 1, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Edward F. Knight, a private in the 117th Illinois Infantry. He described a conflict that his unit encountered on their way into Tennessee and life at Fort Pickering, outside Memphis.
Letter from Eli Cress to unknown, Undated
Multi-Page Item | 14 pages | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter from Eli Cress, a Union soldier in the 117th Illinois Infantry, to an unknown recipient - possibly Sophronia McNitt. Cress wrote about Christmas and life in the camp.
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 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 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 John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, March 26, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown described his recent activities and his plans to return to Colorado, as well as his romantic pursuits.
Letter from John M. Brown to Sophronia McNitt, January 18, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from her cousin, John M. Brown. Brown described his activities during the Christmas holidays and commented their respective romantic lives.
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 John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, January 25, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 6 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 on camp life in Humboldt, Tennessee, including the weather and guard duty, and asked after life at home, requesting more letters from Sophronia.
Letter from Patrick Moynihan to Sarah Chambers, September 13, 1886
Multi-Page Item | 14 pages | 1886 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sarah Chambers from Patrick Moynihan, a former private in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Moynihan wrote about some of his travels, his poor health, and his crops and his farm. He also mentioned and asked about other friends (and/or relatives?), including one's marriage, and he invited Sarah to visit him.
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 Eli Cress to Sophronia McNitt, January 15, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Eli Cress, a Union soldier in the 117th Illinois Infantry. Cress described the 117th's participation in the Battle of Nashville, and the celebrations at Christmas.
Letter from "The Left Hand" to Sophronia McNitt, January 15, 1864
Multi-Page Item | 2 pages | 1864 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from "The Left Hand" (possibly Otis Williamson?). The author wrote about recent incidents in daily life.
Letter from Albert B. Lee to Sophronia McNitt, February 27, 1865
Multi-Page Item | 6 pages | 1865 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from Albert B. Lee, a private in the 126th Illinois Infantry. Lee wrote to request a reply from Sophronia so that they could begin a correspondence and friendship.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, September 2, 1862
Multi-Page Item | 4 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 as a Union recruit at Camp Terry, a regimental muster camp in Mattoon, Illinois.
Letter from John H. Berry to Sophronia McNitt, October 12, 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 wrote that his regiment had moved to Alton, Illinois and described the situation there, as well as asking after Sophronia and requesting a photo of her.
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 Unknown to Sophronia McNitt, June 11, 1863
Multi-Page Item | 8 pages | 1863 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from an unknown author. The author described a conversation they had about Sophronia with another unnamed person and shared news of mutual friends.
Letter from Unknown to Sophronia McNitt, circa 1860s
Multi-Page Item | 2 pages | 186 | McNitt Family Papers (Digitized Content)A letter to Sophronia McNitt from an unknown author. The author wrote on behalf of a young man named Frank, who requested a letter from Sophronia to cure his "rheumatism of the heart" with loving words.

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