John Worthington Ames Papers, 1793-2023 » I. Correspondence, 1858–1878  

[read more]

Correspondence of John Worthington Ames mainly consists of letters written by Ames to various family members. The bulk of the letters are from his service during the Civil War in the 11th United States Infantry Regiment (1861-1863) and the 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment (1863-1865) and provide detailed accounts of camp life, fellow soldiers, battle and skirmishes, the progression of the war, and how his experiences affected him. Other letters are from his time working as a civil engineer in Arkansas, Illinois, and Texas (1858-1861), as well as during his declining health before his death (1877-1878). Note: Some folders include links to transcripts from an unpublished documentary edition of John Worthington Ames's letters, edited by Brian Burton. See Series V for access to the full electronic file.