Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Simon C. Wilkerson

LH – Misc. Mss.

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

Introduction

This collection was acquired by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in 2007.

Biographical Sketch

Simon C. Wilkerson was Captain of Company E, the “Confederate Stars” from Tuskaloosa County, of the 18^th Alabama Infantry. The 18^th Alabama was engaged in battle at Shiloh, Blackland, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, and Missionary Ridge. Wilkerson was captured on November 25, 1863 at the battle of Missionary Ridge during the siege of Chattanooga. He was taken to the prison on Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of the war.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of 13 single-page letters Wilkerson wrote to his wife and mother. The letters span from December 13, 1863, to May 9, 1865 and are all written from Johnson’s Island. He names other officers who were captured with him and imprisoned with him, mentioning them throughout his letters. He also writes about weather conditions and the relatively good conditions of the camp—mail and supplies were received regularly.

Inventory

Ac. 5661

1. December 13, 1863, Johnson’s Island Near Sandusky City, O, [My Dear Nannie]

2. December 26, 1863, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Nannie]

3. March 3, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

4. March 13, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Mother]

5. April 13, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

6. April 27, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

7. May 20, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

8. August 1, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

9. Aug 24, 1864, Johnson’s Island, [My Dear Wife]

10. September 8, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

11. September 22, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

12. October 24, 1864, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]

13. May 9, 1865, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, [My Dear Wife]