Collection Title: Sam House Letters
Series Number: MS10-40
Processed and Cataloged by: Processed by Dieter C. Ullrich on June 16, 2010
Date Listed: June 16, 2010
Date Span: 1861-1862
Size of Collection: 0.10 linear feet.
Number of Boxes: 1 legal size file folder; 1 item.
Type of Material: Correspondence.
Condition of Material: Good.
Arrangement: Chronological arrangement.
Biographical / Historical Information: Samuel House was a soldier in the “Southern Guards Artillery” during the first year of the American Civil War. He enlisted in the Confederate Army at Memphis, Tennessee on April 15, 1861. His unit would later become known as “Johnston’s Heavy Artillery Company” in early 1862. House would see combat at Vicksburg and Mobile Bay. He was captured at Vicksburg and later surrendered at Fort Morgan. He was imprisoned at Governor’s Island and Elmira, New York. After the war, House became a successful banker and businessman in Knoxville. Frank B. Smith was a member of the Battery A, 1st Illinois Light Artillery during the Civil War.
Scope and Content: Collection consists of four transcribed letters written by Samuel House to family members at Knoxville, Tennessee from New Madrid, Missouri and Columbus, Kentucky from August of 1861 to February of 1862. The letters contain information on military activities at Columbus, such as engagements with Union gunboats and nearby skirmishes. Included with the House correspondence is a transcribed letter by Frank B. Smith of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery describing his actions during battle at Fort Donelson.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
House, Samuel
Smith, Frank B.
United States – History – Civil War – Personal narratives.
United States – History – Civil War – Personal narratives, Confederate.
Tennessee – History – Civil War – Personal narratives, Confederate.
Illinois – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Personal narratives.
Confederate States of America. Army. Southern Guards Artillery.
Confederate States of America. Army. Johnston’s Heavy Artillery Company.
United States. Army. Illinois Light Artillery Regiment, 1st (1861-1865)
Fort Donelson, Battle of, Tenn., 1862.
Columbus (Ky.) – History.
New Madrid (Mo.)
Additional Sources: See Samuel House Letters at Florida State University.
