Buchanan, Ezra (1840-1875) Papers, 1862-1916
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Ezra Buchanan, 1840-1875
Title: Papers, 1862-1916
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.
Size of Collection: .33 cu. ft.
Location Number: Mss. A B918
Scope and Content Note
This collection, comprising approximately 75 letters, consists primarily of letters written by Sgt. Ezra Buchanan, 79th Indiana Infantry Regiment, to his wife Nancy Alice Buchanan, during the Civil War. In addition to describing several battlefields and military engagements that his regiment participated in while stationed in Tennessee and Georgia, he includes many details of daily military life. Detailed descriptions of southern cities and people are included in several letters. Many of the letters are remarkable for their romantic tone, since he frequently endeavors to assure her of his faithfulness, love and devotion to her, despite constant temptations around him.
A smaller collection of six letters written by Sgt. Buchanan can be found in the Ezra Buchanan Miscellaneous Letters, Mss. C B.
Biographical Note
Ezra F. Buchanan was born January 15, 1840, in Warren, Marion Co., Indiana, the eldest son of Joseph and Ester Buchanan. He married Nancy Alice Vansicle (Van Sickle) ca. 1861. Their first child, Frankie, was born Nov. 1861 and died April, 1864. Additional children included Horace, born ca. 1866, Mary, born ca. 1869 and Wallace, born ca. 1873. Ezra enlisted as a sergeant in Co. D, 79th Indiana infantry regiment on August 7, 1862. He was stationed in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama and saw action in the Battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Franklin (Tenn.), and the Atlanta Campaign. In April 1863, he was appointed chief of Gen. Samuel Beatty’s escort. In March 1865, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant. He was mustered out on June 7, 1865 in Indianapolis. Shortly after he returned home, he and Nancy moved to Ralls Co., Missouri where he worked as a carpenter. He died November 24, 1875 and was buried in Ralls County. Following Ezra’s death, Nancy returned to Marion Co., Indiana where she lived with her father and two surviving children. She died November 12, 1918 in Marion Co.
Folder List
Folder 1: Correspondence, April 1862-March 1863
Folder 2: Correspondence, April-June 1863
Folder 3: Correspondence, July-Sept. 1863
Folder 4: Correspondence, Oct.1863-Jan. 1864 (includes 4 pp. photocopies)
Folder 5: Correspondence, April-June 1864
Folder 6: Correspondence, Aug.-Nov. 1864 (includes 8 pp. photocopies)
Folder 7: Correspondence, Dec. 1864-Feb. 1865 (includes 1 p. photocopy)
Folder 8: Correspondence, March 1865-1887
Folder 9: Miscellaneous envelopes, receipts, notes, song text
Subject Headings
Atlanta (Ga.) – Description and travel
Atlanta Campaign, 1864
Ballads, American
Chattanooga (Tenn.), Battle of, 1863
Chickamauga (Ga.), Battle of, 1863
Claims against decedent’s estates – Indiana
Confederate States of America – History, Military
Copperhead movement
Desertion, Military – Confederate States of America
Franklin (Tenn.), Battle of, 1864
Georgia – History – Civil War, 1861-1865
Indiana – History – Civil War, 1861-1865
Infants – Death
Knoxville (Tenn.) – History – Civil War, 19th century
Love-letters – United States
McMinnville (Tenn.) – History – 19th century
Military engineers – United States
Military pensions – United States
Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863
Tennessee – History – Civil War, 1861-1865
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1864 – African Americans
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Casualties
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Confiscations and contributions
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Destruction and pillage
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Engineering and construction
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Equipment and supplies
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Health aspects
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Hospitals
United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Transportation
United States – History – War of 1812 – Songs and music – Texts
United States. Army – Barracks and quarters
United States. Army – Military life
United States. Army – Promotions
United States. Army – Transportation
United States. Army – Uniforms
United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 79th, 1862-1865