Richards, Channing (1838-1896) Papers, 1861-1904

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Richards, Channing, 1838-1896 

Title:  Papers, 1861-1904 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A R514 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection of letters dated 1861-1904, a diary kept by Richards dated May 1861-September 1864, and miscellaneous materials, such as newspaper articles and photographs. With the exception of two letters, the written correspondence is all by Richards and mostly to his sister Mollie. Most of the material concerns his experience, concerns, and opinions about the Civil War. He enlists in 1861 in the 6th Ohio, then the 13 Missouri, which eventually became the 22nd Ohio. Most of his time is spent in Tennessee and Mississippi. He writes about battles he’s in, specifically Shiloh, Corinth, and Fort Donelson, and others that he reads about. He assesses various generals, the political climate, slavery, the draft, army morale, and resolve and public opinion. 

Biographical Note 

Channing Richards was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent most of his years there with the exception of his time of service in the Union Army and just after the war while he was mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, and then a practicing attorney in Memphis until 1871. 

In Cincinnati he was a district attorney, in private practice, and taught at the Law School of Cincinnati College. He married Harriet S. Learned. 

Folder List 

Folder 1: Personal Correspondence 1861-1904 

Folder 2: Diary 1861-1864 

Folder 3: Miscellaneous papers: Newspaper articles, photographs, testimonials.