Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Heston, William M., 1843-1875. Correspondence, 1855, 1861-1865. 50 pages.
Call No.
Mss. C H
Content
Transcripts of letters written to and by William M. Heston, a soldier in the 71st Ohio Infantry Regiment, Company C during the Civil War. Heston hails from Hyattsville, Miami County, Ohio and his letters frequently contain news about relatives and friends from that region. Heston's letters also contain details on the movements of the 71st Ohio Infantry during the early months of 1862, especially commenting on the capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee in February 1862. In April 1862, Heston recounts how he was wounded in the leg during fighting at the Battle of Shiloh, an injury that he believes resulted from friendly fire. Sent to Mound City Hospital in Illinois to recuperate, Heston's friends from the 71st relate news from the regiment, which is performing garrison duty at Fort Donelson and Clarksville, Tennessee. Apparently rejoining his company just prior to its infamous surrender of Clarksville to rebel forces in August 1862, Heston soon returns home, where he stays for the remainder of the war. Heston's comrades continue to correspond with him until the war's end, relating news from the regiment and requesting news from home.