McGlynn, Edward. Letters, 1861-65 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

This collection consists of personal letters sent from Edward McGlynn to his family and friends from the years 1861 to 1865.

Edward McGlynn of Aurora, Illinois, enlisted in Company K of the 42^nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry in August 4, 1861. He took part in the march to Warsaw, Missouri, but by Christmas he was placed in the general military hospital in St. Louis. Unhappy with his regiment, McGlynn deserted in June 1862, reenlisting two months later in the 124^th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. McGlynn fought in several battles, including Port Gibson (May 1, 1863), Raymond (May 12, 1863), Jackson (May 14, 1863), and Champion Hills (May 16, 1863), and he witnessed the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi (May 18-July 4, 1863). After spending a second time in the hospital, McGlynn served on provost duty in Vicksburg from April 1864 to February 1865, after which he saw action during the siege of Mobile, Alabama. McGlynn survived the war, but died at Camp Douglas, Illinois, a Union prisoner-of-war camp, on August 15, 1865.

This collection consists of fourteen letters Edward McGlynn wrote to his parents, sister, and friends between 1861-1865. In these letters, McGlynn described aspects of soldier life, including his accounts of the battles he fought in, descriptions of the battlefield, and the hardships of camp life. He also discussed his times spent in the hospital, the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, and reactions to Lincoln's assassination.

The Library purchased the letters in 1979.