William H. Cameron Civil War papers, 1862-1886


John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title: William H. Cameron Civil War papers
Date range: 1862-1886
Creator: Cameron, William H., fl. 1859-1866
Extent: 1.25 Linear feet
Abstract: The William H. Cameron papers consist of approximately 100 items, most of which pertain to Cameron's service in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number: Ms.Cameron

Scope & content

The William H. Cameron Civil War papers contain about 100 items, including correspondence, Army documents and other official records related to (1) military movements, camp life, and operations of the Quarter Master's office for the Army of the Tennessee during the Civil War, (2) Cameron's post war life in St. Louis, Missouri, and Providence, Rhode Island, and (3) Life in Canada during the Civil War era. The bulk of the collection focuses on the Civil War period, and documents not only the movements and activities of military units in the Union Army but also the ongoing lives of Cameron's friends and relations in Canada, Detroit, Missouri and Louisiana, as well as in other military units of the Union Army. As a clerk in the Quarter Master's office, Cameron apparently accompanied his commanding officer on Army business, and the collection therefore documents his travels in Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, New York and South Carolina.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Geographical Names Subject Topics Occupations Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

  • Series 1. Correspondence
  • Series 2. Documents
  • Series 3. Miscellaneous material

Correspondence, most of which was received by William Cameron, is arranged alphabetically by author of the letter. Documents and Miscellaneous material (promissory notes, account book, copy of a military map, etc.) are arranged chronologically.

Biographical note

William Cameron was born in Ontario in 1842 and joined the Union Army as a private in the First Regiment of the Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers on January 26, 1862. He was subsequently assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, under the command of Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, where he served as one of several clerks to Capt. W. K. Kennedy in the Quarter Masters Department. He was discharged from service at Nashville, Tennessee in 1865. He apparently lived in St. Louis for a few years immediately after the war ended, but ultimately settled in Providence, R.I., where he was employed as Manager of R. G. Dun & Co. in 1873.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested..
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: William H. Cameron Civil War papers, Ms. Cameron, Brown University Library.
Contact information: John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: The William H. Cameron Civil War papers were purchased from James A. Tyson in 1969.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-01-29

Additional Information

Other information:

Inventory


Series 1. Correspondence, 1862-1865

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Botsford, W. R. to Cameron, William
Camp near Brandy Station, VA
6.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[1]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Botsford, W. R.
Cameron, William

1864 January 12
Box 1, Folder 2 Bowers William W. to Cameron, William
Memphis, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[2]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Bowers William W.
Cameron, William

1862 August 23
Box 1, Folder 2 Bowers, William W. to Cameron, William
Memphis, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[3]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Bowers, William W.
Cameron, William

1862 September 5
Box 1, Folder 3 Bustnaz [?], J. R. I. to Frazier, L. I.
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[4]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Bustnaz [?], J. R. I.
Frazier, L. I.

1865 July 2
Box 1, Folder 4 Cameron, Alex to [Cameron], William
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[5]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
[Cameron], William
Cameron, Alex

1866 August 29
Box 1, Folder 5 Cameron, William to Longman, George W.
Providence, RI
6.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[6]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Longman, George W.

1873 March 15
Box 1, Folder 6 Clifton, John W. to Cameron, William
East Port, MS
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[7]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Clifton, John W.

1863 February 16
Box 1, Folder 7 Cushing, George N. to Cameron, William H.
Detroit, MI
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[8]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William H.
Cushing, George N.

1866 September 9
Box 1, Folder 8 Douglas, John to Cameron, William
Toronto, Canada
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[9]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Douglas, John

1865 November 28
Box 1, Folder 9 Field[?], Eli to May, W.J.
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[22]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
May, W.J.
Field[?], Eli

1864 October 15
Box 1, Folder 10 Hart, C. H[?] to Unknown
Lewisville, AR
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[10]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Hart, C. H[?]
Unknown

1865 June 11
Box 1, Folder 11 Hedley, James to Cameron, William
Amherstburg, Canada
8.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[11]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Hedley, James

1862 September 29
Box 1, Folder 11 Hedley, James to Cameron, William
Amherstburg, Canada
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[12]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Hedley, James

1863 August 26
Box 1, Folder 11 Hedley, James to Cameron, William
Amherstburg, Canada
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[13]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Hedley, James

1863 September 22
Box 1, Folder 12 Johnson, William Henry to Kennedy, William
1.0 page

Contents Note: Written on verso of letter from William K. Kennedy, dated July 9, 1864.

Accession Number: A55055[19]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Johnson, William Henry
Kennedy, William

Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[14]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 March 13
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[15]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 March 15
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[16]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 April 7
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[17]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 April 29
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Tullahoma, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[18]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 May 7
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Johnson, William Henry
Chattanooga, TN
1.0 page

Contents Note: Written on verso of letter from William Henry Johnson, undated.

Accession Number: A55055[19]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Johnson, William Henry
Kennedy, William K.

1864 July 9
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[20]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1864 August 28
Box 1, Folder 12 Kennedy, William K. to Cameron, William
Leavenworth, KS
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[21]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Kennedy, William K.

1865 July 16
Box 1, Folder 9 May, Edny and Field[?], Eli to May, W. J.
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[22]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
May, Edny
May, W. J.

1864 October 14
Box 1, Folder 13 Nagle, Frank G. to Cameron, William
Jefferson City, LA
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[23]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Frank G.

1863 December 8
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Rolla, MO
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[24]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 April 7
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Rolla, MO
11.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[25]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 May 5
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Rolla, MO
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[26]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 May 30
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Carrolton, LA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[27]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 August 27
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice, D. to Cameron, William
Carrolton, LA
4.0 pages

Contents Note: With an enclosure to J. M. Eaton.

Accession Number: A55055[28]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Eaton, J.M.
Nagle, Maurice, D.

1863 September 1
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Carrolton, LA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[29]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 September 28
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Carrolton, LA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[30]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 October 9
Box 1, Folder 14 Nagle, Maurice D. to Cameron, William
Carrolton, LA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[31]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Nagle, Maurice D.

1863 November 19
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Patterson, MO
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[32]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1862 November 18
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Patterson, MO
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[33]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1862 December 11
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Lesterville, MO
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[34]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1862 December 24
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cape Girardeau, MO
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[35]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 March 10
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Bloomfield, MO
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[36]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 March 19
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Bloomfield, MO
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[37]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 March 31
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Bloomfield, MO
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[38]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 April 2
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Fayetteville, TN
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[39]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 August 8
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Wills Valley, AL
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[40]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1863 September 15
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
[Mottly?] Ford, TN
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[41]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 February 21
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[42]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 February 28
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cleveland, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[43]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 April 10
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cleveland, TN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[44]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 March 16
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Lost Mountain, GA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[45]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 June 29
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cartersville, GA
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[46]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 August 17
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cartersville, GA
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[47]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 August 22
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Cartersville, GA
4.0 pages

Contents Note: With 1 page enclosure.

Accession Number: A55055[48]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1864 September 15
Box 1, Folder 15 O'Connor, Henry to Cameron, William
Nashville, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[49]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
O'Connor, Henry

1865 January 8
Box 1, Folder 9 Sutton, Elizabeth and Field[?], Eli to May, W. J.
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[??]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Field[?], Eli
May, W. J.
Sutton, Elizabeth

1864 Oct 14
Box 1, Folder 16 White, Christina to Cameron, William
Ingersoll, Canada
3.0 pages

Contents Note: Letter addressed to "Cousin".

Accession Number: A55055[50]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
White, Christina

1864 February 20
Box 1, Folder 17 White, N. C. to Cameron, William
Rolla, MO
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[51]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
White, N. C.

1863 April 23
Box 1, Folder 17 White, N. C. to Cameron, William
New Orleans, LA
3.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[52]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
White, N. C.

1864 January 19
Box 1, Folder 17 White, N. C. to Cameron, William
New Orleans, LA
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[53]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
White, N. C.

1864 March 18
Box 1, Folder 18 Zott, A. to Cameron, William
Vicksburg, MS
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[54]
Genre: autograph letter signed

Names:
Cameron, William
Zott, A.

1865 November 2

Series 2. Documents, 1862-1886

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 19 Money Report (mutilated)
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[55]
Genre: manuscript
186-
Box 1, Folder 20 List of regiments, batteries, detachments
4.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[56]
Genre: printed item
186-
Box 1, Folder 21 Addressed to Captain Kennedy
Accession Number: A55055[57]
Genre: envelope
186-
Box 1, Folder 22 List of soldiers with evaluation of performance
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[58]
Genre: manuscript
186-
Box 1, Folder 23 Bank drafts
4.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[59-62]
Genre: bank drafts
186-
Box 1, Folder 24 Certificate mustering out William Cameron
Detroit, MI
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[63]
Genre: manuscript
186-
Box 1, Folder 25 Record of enlistments and discharges and payments
Detroit, MI
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[64]
Genre: manuscript
1862 March 25
Box 1, Folder 26 Record of soldiers mustered out of service
Detroit
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[65]
Genre: manuscript
1862 June 30-1864 December 31
Box 1, Folder 27 U.S. form no. 22
Evansville, IN
18.0 items

Contents Note: Receipts for services performed.

Accession Number: A55055[66-83]
Genre: manuscripts
1862 December 18-1865 November 30
Box 1, Folder 28 U.S. form no. 20
Evansville, Ind.
13.0 items

Contents Note: Receipts for reimbursement.

Accession Number: A55055[84-96]
Genre: manuscripts
1862 December 21-1865 August 31
Box 1, Folder 29 Military passes
13.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[97-109]
Genre: manuscripts
1862 December 25-1865 April 4
Box 1, Folder 30 General orders 2 & 10
Rolla, MO
2.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[110-111]
Genre: printed items
1863 April-1863 April 27
Box 1, Folder 31 Circular
Rolla, MO
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[112]
Genre: printed item
1863 April 22
Box 1, Folder 32 Circular
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[113]
Genre: manuscript
1863 June 29
Box 1, Folder 33 Receipt for photographs
Lookout Mountain, TN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[114]
Genre: manuscripts
1864 August 29
Box 1, Folder 34 Form letter of commendation to 15th Army Corps
East Point, GA
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[115]
Genre: printed item

Names:
Logan, John

1864 September 11
Box 1, Folder 35 Special orders no. 11, 11, 533
Nashville, TN
Lewisville, AR
3.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[116-118]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 January 14
Box 1, Folder 36 Receipt for medical and hospital supplies
Farmville, VA
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[119]
Genre: manuscripts

Names:
Waeton[?], Richard P.

1865 March 1
Box 1, Folder 37 Report of able bodied men
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[120]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 March 22
Box 1, Folder 38 Soldier's Sick Furlough
Lewisville, AR
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[121]
Genre: manuscript

Names:
Lefliter, J.A.
Third Alabama Infantry

1865 May 28
Box 1, Folder 39 Discharge papers
Nashville, TN
2.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[122-123]
Genre: manuscripts

Names:
Cameron, William
Army of the U.S.

1865 July 8
Box 1, Folder 40 U.S. form no. 21
Evansville, IN
3.0 items

Contents Note: Receipt for quarters, tent, or fuel.

Accession Number: A55055[124-126]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 July 25 -1865 August 23
Box 1, Folder 41 U.S. form no. 16
Evansville, IN
2.0 items

Contents Note: Receipt for mileage.

Accession Number: A55055[127-128]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 July 25-1865 August 8
Box 1, Folder 42 Receipts for internal revenue tax
Washington, DC
St. Louis, MO
5.0 items

Accession Number: A55055[129-133]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 July 26-1865 September 20
Box 1, Folder 43 Receipt for Quartermaster's Funds
Evansville, IN
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[134]
Genre: manuscript
1865 August 21
Box 1, Folder 44 Bank draft [endorsed]
St. Louis, MO
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[135]
Genre: manuscript
1865 September 30
Box 1, Folder 45 Form no. 11 Abstract A
Evansville, IN
2.0 pages

Contents Note: Abstract of purchases paid for.

Accession Number: A55055[136]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 August
Box 1, Folder 46 Form no. 13 Abstract B
Evansville, IN
2.0 pages

Contents Note: Expenditures on account.

Accession Number: A55055[137]
Genre: manuscripts
undated
Box 1, Folder 47 Form no. 15 Abstract B (2)
Evansville, IN
4.0 pages

Contents Note: Receipt roll of hired men.

Accession Number: A55055[138-139]
Genre: manuscripts
undated
Box 1, Folder 48 Return of internal revenue tax
Evansville, IN
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[140]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 August 31
Box 1, Folder 49 Receipt for final account
Washington, DC
2.0 pages

Accession Number: A55055[141]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 September 26
Box 1, Folder 50 Document re-transmitting forms
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[142]
Genre: manuscript
1865 September 29
Box 1, Folder 51 Receipt for money and final account
St. Louis, MO
3.0 items

Contents Note: With envelope.

Accession Number: A55055[143-145]
Genre: manuscripts
1865 September 31
Box 1X Certificate of membership
Rhode Island
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[146]
Genre: manuscript
1886 May 11

Series 3. Miscellaneous material, 1859-1867

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 52 Business card
Jacksonville, IL
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[147]
Genre: business card

Names:
Baker, Frank

Box 1, Folder 53 Sherman, William Tecumseh
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[148]
Genre: A. End. S

Names:
Sherman, William Tecumseh

Box 1, Folder 54 Map-Vicksburg-Civil War
1.0 page

Contents Note: Copy.

Accession Number: A55055[149]
Genre: map
Box 1, Folder 55 Promissory note
Iowa City, IA
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[150]
Genre: promissory note

Names:
Anderson, George

1859 April 4
Box 1, Folder 56 Military map of Vicksburg
New York, NY
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[151]
Genre: clippingmap
1863
Box 1, Folder 57 Bill
New York, NY
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[152]
Genre: receipted bill
1865 February 4
Box 1, Folder 58 Promissory note
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[153]
Genre: promissory note

Names:
Adams, N. P.

1865 July 2
Box 1, Folder 59 Account Book
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[154]
Genre: account book

Names:
Durkee, Dwight

1867 July 14-1868 January 25
Box 1, Folder 60 Subscription card
St. Louis, MO
1.0 page

Accession Number: A55055[155]
Genre: subscription card
1867 May 1