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Guide to the Anson R. Butler Papers

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Collection Overview
Date Span:1861-1900
Creator:Butler, Anson R.
Extent:1.00 folders.
Collection Number:MSC0001
Repository:University of Iowa Special Collections
Summary:Civil War soldier and mayor of DeWitt , Iowa. Letters written to his wife while he was serving with the 26th Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War.

Anson R. Butler was born in Gibson County, Indiana, in 1829. He graduated from the Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, but never entered the ministry. In 1852, Butler married Harriet Saunders. They settled in DeWitt, Iowa, where they raised three daughters. During the Civil War, Anson R. Butler served as third sergeant of Co. H, 26th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Returning to DeWitt after the war, he became one of its leading citizens. He was mayor, teacher, and a justice of the peace. Butler died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Reynolds, in Rock Falls, Illinois, on April 26, 1901.

The papers of Anson R. Butler consist of thirty-four items dating from 1862 to 1900. Primarily correspondence written by Butler to his wife while he was serving with the 26th Iowa Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, the letters chronicle his wartime experiences. Most of his service was spent on board the Nashville, a "floating hospital." He writes of the seige of Vicksburg and of the wounded brought aboard the ship. He also writes vividly of the black troops in the battle of Millikinsville.

Access: This collection is open for research.

Use: Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Acquisition: The papers were given to the University of Iowa Libraries by Edith Essig in 1962.

Preferred Citation: Anson R. Butler Papers, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.

Repository:University of Iowa Special Collections
Address:Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:319-335-5921
Curator:Greg Prickman
Email:lib-spec@uiowa.edu
Website:http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/spec-coll/

Browse by Series:
Series 1: GENERAL

  • Series 1: GENERAL
  • Box 1:
  • Correspondence
  • Letters to his wife while aboard the Nashville (hospital boat), September-August - 1862-1863
  • Letter (to Lee and Mabel?) - 1900?
  • Transcripts of letters
  • Photograph of the Nashville
  • Map of the battle of Vicksburg
  • Photographic copies
  • Copy of Wallpaper edition of The (Vicksburg) Daily Citizen
  • Copy of letter, June 11 - 1863
  • Copy of letter, December 10 - 1861
  • Copy of clipping from The DeWitt Observer on Decoration Day Services
  • "Proclamation" regarding the closure of businesses in honor of the death of Lincoln, issued by Anson R. Butler as mayor, April 19 - 1865
  • Attendance record for Butler's school in DeWitt, Iowa - 1884
  • Anson Butler's obituary and photograph
  • GAR black memorial ribbon

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.


Corporate Names:
United States Army. Iowa Infantry Regiment, 26th (1862- 1865), Company H

Topics:
African Americans
American Civil War, 1861-1865
American Civil War, 1861-1865
American Civil War, 1861-1865
American Civil War, 1861-1865
Copperhead (Nickname)
Hospitals
Siege of Vicksburg (Miss.), 1863

Occupations:
Soldiers

Geographic Names:
DeWitt (Iowa)
Iowa
Iowa

Genre/Form of Materials:
Personal narratives

Browse:
Civil War