Manuscript Database

Creator/Title

Bush family. Letters, 1863-1864. 6 items.

Call No.

Mss. C B

Content

This collection consists of the letters of two brothers, Capt. Elliot N. Bush (1826-1864) and Lt. Henry M. Bush (1829-1889), to their parents, Dr. Wynan Bush (1799-1889) and Julia Anna Loomis (1805-1898) of Yates County, New York. The brothers settled in Illinois and enlisted in Co. G of the 95th Illinois Infantry in 1862. In a letter to his father from Vicksburg, Mississippi dated 9 March 1864 Elliott writes, "The 11th Ill. & 8th La. of A.D. colored had a severe fight at Yazoo City last Saturday (5th)", adding, " (they) were attacked by 3 times their no. but held the place and drove the enemy off." He continues, "The 8th La. is also one of the best A.D.'s in the service (and) has a large proportion of officers from our regiment." He boasts, "They fought well and no one now says the Negro won't fight."

Subject Heading

United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Participation, African American