The Filson Historical Society Ezra Buchanan, 1840-1875 For information regarding literary and copyright information for these papers, please contact the Curator of Special Collections. Size of Collection:.33 cu. ft. Location Number: Mss. A B918
Scope and Content Note This collection, comprising approximately 75 letters, consists primarily of letters written by Sgt. Ezra Buchanan, 79 th Indiana Infantry Regiment, to his wife Nancy Alice Buchanan, during the Civil War. In addition to describing several battlefields and military engagements that his regiment participated in while stationed in Tennessee and Georgia, he includes many details of daily military life. Detailed descriptions of southern cities and people are included in several letters. Many of the letters are remarkable for their romantic tone, since he frequently endeavors to assure her of his faithfulness, love and devotion to her, despite constant temptations around him. A smaller collection of six letters written by Sgt. Buchanan can be found in the Ezra Buchanan Miscellaneous Letters, Mss. C B.
Biographical Note Ezra F. Buchanan was born January 15, 1840, in Warren, Marion Co., Indiana, the eldest son of Joseph and Ester Buchanan. He married Nancy Alice Vansicle (Van Sickle) ca. 1861. Their first child, Frankie, was born Nov. 1861 and died April, 1864. Additional children included Horace, born ca. 1866, Mary, born ca. 1869 and Wallace, born ca. 1873. Ezra enlisted as a sergeant in Co. D, 79 th Indiana infantry regiment on August 7, 1862. He was stationed in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama and saw action in the Battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Franklin (Tenn.), and the Atlanta Campaign. In April 1863, he was appointed chief of Gen. Samuel Beatty s escort. In March 1865, he was promoted to 1 st lieutenant. He was mustered out on June 7, 1865 in Indianapolis. Shortly after he returned home, he and Nancy moved to Ralls Co., Missouri where he worked as a carpenter. He died November 24, 1875 and was buried in Ralls County. Following Ezra s death, Nancy returned to Marion Co., Indiana where she lived with her father and two surviving children. She died November 12, 1918 in Marion Co.
Folder List Folder 1: Correspondence, April 1862-March 1863 Folder 2: Correspondence, April-June 1863 Folder 3: Correspondence, July-Sept. 1863 Folder 4: Correspondence, Oct.1863-Jan. 1864 (includes 4 pp. photocopies) Folder 5: Correspondence, April-June 1864 Folder 6: Correspondence, Aug.-Nov. 1864 (includes 8 pp. photocopies) Folder 7: Correspondence, Dec. 1864-Feb. 1865 (includes 1 p. photocopy) Folder 8: Correspondence, March 1865-1887 Folder 9: Miscellaneous envelopes, receipts, notes, song text
Added Entry List Atlanta (Ga.) Description and travel Atlanta Campaign, 1864 Ballads, American Chattanooga (Tenn.), Battle of, 1863 Chickamauga (Ga.), Battle of, 1863 Claims against decedent s estates Indiana Confederate States of America History, Military Copperhead movement Desertion, Military Confederate States of America Franklin (Tenn.), Battle of, 1864 Georgia History Civil War, 1861-1865 Indiana History Civil War, 1861-1865 Infants Death Knoxville (Tenn.) History Civil War, 19 th century Love-letters United States McMinnville (Tenn.) History 19 th century Military engineers United States Military pensions United States Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863 Tennessee History Civil War, 1861-1865 United States History Civil War, 1861-1864 African Americans United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Casualties United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Confiscations and contributions United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Destruction and pillage United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Engineering and construction United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Equipment and supplies United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Health aspects United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Hospitals United States History Civil War, 1861-1865 Transportation United States History War of 1812 Songs and music Texts United States. Army Barracks and quarters United States. Army Military life United States. Army Promotions United States. Army Transportation United States. Army Uniforms United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 79 th, 1862-1865