Morgan Bond Sutler Account Book, circa 1862-1865 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents:

This collection contains one account book of Morgan Bond, a sutler with the 94^th Illinois Infantry. The book spans 77 pages and about 450 sales. Entries include the soldier's first initial and last name, item sold, and price. Popular items sold include tobacco, sardines, crackers, raisins, peaches, and G-nuts (either ginger snaps or peanuts). Other purchases include bread, herring, oysters, sugar lemon (lemon drops), thread, sandpaper, oil, matches, soap, clothing, and ink. Many transactions are written with slashes, indicating that most items were possibly sold on credit.

Biographical/Historical Context:

The 94^th Illinois Infantry was mustered into service at McClean, Illinois, in August 1862, and campaigned throughout the South. Morgan Bond, a civilian merchant known as a "sutler," sold goods and supplies to soldiers in the regiment and kept an account book of his sales. Bond followed the 94^th Illinois Infantry as it campaigned in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, selling goods to soldiers throughout their duty. Sutlers were typically disliked because they were the only merchant available to soldiers and could overcharge for their goods.

Acquisition Source: The Library purchased this collection in 2020 with support from Library Friends.