Political History Commons^™

0844: Anthony J. Boccio, Jr. Collection, 1961-1974, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The Collection spans the years from 1961-1974 with the bulk of the materials from the period 1966-1969. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of the building, launching and active duty service of the U.S.S. John Marshall. Also included are memorabilia and personal items of Mr. Boccio including a de-classified copy of the Enlisted Qualification and Re-Qualification training materials used on the submarine.

0794: The Bon Ton Bullets In The Service, 1943-1945, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists copies of nineteen editions of a Huntington, West Virginia area newsletter titled, “The Bon Ton Bullets in the Service” published between 1943 and 1945. The newsletter describes activities of area service members during World War II, and published excerpts from letters sent from servicemen, news from home, addresses, and miscellanea. Also included is an index of individuals mentioned in many of the newsletters.

0703: Rosanna A. Blake Collection, 1818-2000, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of manuscript and other paper items collected by Rosanna A. Blake. Included are letters, diaries, correspondence, unit rosters, Confederate imprint forms and currency, 1860-1865. Also included are 3D items including firearms, edged weapons, tin soldiers, original Civil War art work, the Volck shield, and Southern periodicals relating to the Civil War. Notably, the collection includes 3 original Robert E. Lee letters, 1 Jefferson Davis letter, and 2 general orders dictated by Lee. The O'Brien sub-collection contains Civil War pamphlets and booklets, over 300 monographs and books, photos, CDV's, original Civil War art work, the Volck shield, ambrotypes …

0697: Archibald Debow Norris Diaries, 1861-1863, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of copies and transcriptions of three diaries, spanning January 1861- April 1863, of Private, later Captain, Archibald D. Norris of the 7th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, Co. K during the Civil War, ending with the Fredericksburg campaign. The diaries are extensive, and cover details about the war and specific battles as well as camp life. There are also entries about Norris’ evolving feelings about the state of the union. According to a note in the collection, there are a significant proportion of West Virginia related content in the diaries.

0661: Elizabeth Cometti Collection, 1861-1869, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a microfilm copy of items selected by Elizabeth Cometti about West Virginia taken from the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, specifically materials taken from the W. R. Redding Papers, 1861-1865 and the William Thomas Sutherlin Papers, 1842-1892. The Redding materials are from 1861 while Redding was stationed in Virginia, to his wife, Elizabeth M. Redding, in Randolph County, Ga.. He discusses camp life, troop movements and skirmishes, and conditions at home. Sutherlin materials date from 1868 to 1869 and may include correspondence and other papers relate to the varied business …

0636: James R. Shephard Papers, 1942-1965, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is primarily composed of aerial reconnaissance photographs of ballistic missile bases taken during and immediately after the Cuban Missile Crisis in October and November, 1962. These photographs feature extensive captions and labels that became part of the report, ““Cuba Know, Yankee See! A Picture Story with an Object Lesson: Castro had his 10,000 words, but we got the picture.” and was used as part of a Department of Defense Special Cuba Briefing by Robert S. McNamara in February 1963. Other less significant portions of the collection include constructions reports on the Thule Air Base in Thule, Greenland (the …

0634: Cary Howard Rayburn Papers, 1804-1985, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Point Pleasant, West Virginia, teacher. Papers consist primarily of letters written to Mrs. Rayburn from West Virginia state legislators regarding her lobbying efforts to raise teacher retirement benefits. Includes material related to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of 1812, and local history of Point Pleasant and Mason Co., West Virginia.

0594: Charles Runyon Papers, 1945, Marshall University Special Collections

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This collection consists of a typed manuscript diary called, “Ie Shima Diary” as well as a copy of the diary. The diary covers daily events at Ie Shima from the seizing of the island until VJ Day and after, including the death of soldiers by ingesting wood alcohol and speeches given by generals. Also included are copies of photographs from the 3020th Engineering Topographical Corps in September 1945 after the end of the war, featuring handwritten captions on the back as well as a copy of a local surrender document from the Japanese dated September 7, 1945.

0585: Augustus Kuper Family Papers, 1816-1818, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Collection consists primarily of the diary (1816-1818) of Augustus Kuper, Assistant commissary general of Canada, 1813, telling of his trip to England with his wife to secure a position in the provincial government. Genealogical information about the family is appended. According to a notation, the original diary in possession of Louis Hood of Chevy Chase, Md.

0515: Ladies Monument Association Of Point Pleasant, W.Va., 1860, Marshall University Special Collections

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Photocopy of minutes of two meetings of the association formed to erect a monument to militia men who fell at the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774.

0454: George Joachim Papers, 1832-1865, Marshall University Special Collections

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Member, 7th Ohio Battery, Light Artillery. Papers include photoreproductions of passport (German), promotion and discharge papers, a diary from the Civil War(1862-1864, includes siege of Vicksburg), and a letter to his wife in German from Camp Benton Post Hospital in St. Louis.

0445: Grace Moses Papers, 1775-1895, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a copy of one ten-page typescript entitled, “Resume of the confusion of the Revolutionary War records of John Lewis”. This typescript was on deposit at the library of the Daughters of the American Revolution where it was copied. The typescript discusses issues with war records about John Lewis, for which there are several who served during the Revolutionary War.

0339: U.S. Department Of War Records On Microfilm, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of one reel of microfilm purchased from the National Archives catalogue of microfilmed government records. The reel title is as follows: Brief Histories of U.S. Army Commands (Army Posts) and Descriptions of Their Records. The material on the reel was originally taken from the following government record group: Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands, 1821-1920, Record Group 393.

0340: U.S. Department Of War Records On Microfilm, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of eight reels of microfilm purchased from the National Archives catalogue of microfilmed government records. The reel title is as follows: “Historical Information Relating To Military Posts And Other Installations Ca. 1700-1900”. The material on the reel was originally taken from the following government record group: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917, Record Group 94. All scope and content information was taken from the stub record on the National Archives microfilm catalog by searching for the M661 publication number here: https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.sweSWECmd=Start&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov

“On the eight rolls of this microfilm publication is reproduced the 27-volume “Outline Index …

0301: Samuel Rothgeb Papers, 1862-1864, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of copies of Civil War orders written to Captain Samuel Rothgeb sending supplies and orders for troop movements. Also included is a copy of an 1862 letter to “Friend Rothgeb” from R. L. Stewart regarding a steamboat shipment. Also included are copies of envelopes, a pay stub/check, an Army 50 cent note, and promotion form for Thomas A. Mau(l?)sly to the rank of Colonel in the 18th Regiment of West Virginia Militia.

Given that all collection items are copies, legibility can be limited but is overall high.

0321: Enos Amos Oath, 1864, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of an oath of allegiance for Enos Amos’ election to the office of second lieutenant, 17th Regiment, 3d Brigade, 1st Division, West Virginia Militia, Marion County, West Virginia on August 22, 1864. It is also signed by John B. Crane, recorder.

0248: James N. Potts Papers, 1861-1906, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection predominately consists of a Civil War diary by James Potts. Legibility of the copy of the diary is limited given that it is a xeroxed black and white copy.

The cover of the diary says, “Romance of the War by James N. Potts [illegible] Commissary [illegible] Book Commencing Dec. 12th, 1861 Hunter’sville, Va, Pocahontas Co., Virginia”. The first thirty-one pages consist of a ledger tracking provisions for 1861-1862. In order, the contents after are as follows: recipes, ciphers or “enigmas”, journal entries from 1861 to 1867, an 1869 letter to the editor of the “Herald” from Williamsville, VA, …

0224: Milton Newman Discharge Paper, 1865, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection contains the discharge paper for Milton Newman from Company C, 3rd Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers.

0240: Oswald Blaine Stewart Collection, 1941-1942, Marshall University Special Collections

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This collection consists of a scrapbook of German language newspapers documenting conflicts and military operations in World War II.

0181: Lillian Morrison Pyle Papers, 1917-1977, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is composed of letters and postcards to Lillian from her brothers Donald and Darrell while they served and trained for WWI. Included in the collection are Lillian’s personal papers during her high school and early college years, such as programs, yearbooks, student publications, and grade reports. Also included are collected publications, clippings, and ephemera related to her brothers’ service in WWI.

It is uncertain how the folder of Clendenning letters written during WWI were added to the collection, but they are from Robert Clendenning (serving in the war) to his father on the home front.

0119: Franz Sigel Letter, 1864, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Union general. Newly-appointed commander of the Department of West Virginia, Sigel wrote to Congressman Kellian V. Whaley concerning his command, requesting the names of reliable men, and giving his plan for defending the state.

0134: Clendenning Family Papers, 1850-1955, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The collection consists primarily of two groups of letters. The first group were written by Arminda Holiday Clendenning of Freeport, Harrison County, Ohio, to her sister Ann Holliday Winder of Iowa, from 1850 until 1867. She writes of local and family news, life in the country, and later, as a young married woman, of her family and her husband’s business. Several letters mention travels and migrations of family and friends to the West.

The second group of letters were written by Robert Joseph Clendenning, grandson of Arminda Clendenning, to his family during the FirstWorld War. He describes his life in …

0076: Confederate States Of America, Army, Medical Department, 1862-1864, Marshall University Special Collections

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Register/copybook of letters and orders of Hospital number four, Army of the New River, medical director Dr. John A. Hunter, with hospitals in Pearisburg, VA., Dublin Depot, VA., Montgomery White Sulphur Springs, Va, Red Sulpur Springs and Union, (West), Va. as well as the copybook of Will Jennings, medical director of the Department of Southwestern Virginia. Volumes contain copies of letters and orders sent and received. The register for Hospital number four also contains lists of patients.

0098: S. J. Pollar Papers, 1862-1938, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Huntington, West Virginia, railway dispatcher. Papers include railroad passes, dispatch book, and Civil War papers of John C. Pollard.

0111: Mcclelland Family Papers, 1870-1950, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists primarily of correspondence sent from William McClelland while he was in the air force describing his experiences while training and during World War II in the Pacific Theatre, specifically the Philippines. Letters to William from his family include those sent while he was missing in action and are emotionally fraught. Papers by Arthur and Myrtle include information on religious topics, such as pamphlets, notes, and more related to their participation in the Second Presbyterian Church of Huntington. Letters sent to and by the family after William’s declaration as missing in action and presumed death include information about …

0064: Marshall University Oral History Collection, Marshall University Special Collections

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Tape recordings and transcripts of oral interviews with residents in the West Virginia-Ohio-Kentucky Tri-State region regarding such topics as farming, schools, health care, folk customs, and many others related to life in this Appalachian region.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Marshall University Oral History Collection here.

0062: S. D. Wesson Civil War Diary Transcript, 1862-1864, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Typescript of a civil war diary kept by Sgt. S.D. Wesson, Company K, 8th Illinios Cavalry, from December 1, 1862 to July 17, 1864. Describes campaigns in Virginia: Richmond, Williamsburg, and Bull Run. Mentions seeing Abraham Lincoln and Franz Sigel.