Charles B. Haydon Papers, 1852-1864 (majority within 1861-1864)

Summary

Creator:

Haydon, Charles B., 1834-1864

Abstract:

Student at the University of Michigan (1854-1857) from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who served in the Second Michigan Infantry during the Civil War. Civil War diaries describing his army career; also University of Michigan student notebooks, ca. 1854, including one on a history course by James R. Boise; a sketch book and personal account book; letter to his brother Arthur (1855?) relating to his student experiences; and photograph.

Extent:

1 linear foot (in two boxes)
1 microfilm

Language:

English.

Call Number:

851446 Aa 2, mf99c

Authors:

Finding aid prepared by: Michigan Historical Collections staff

Background

Scope and Content:

The Haydon collection consist of student notebooks (ca. 1852-1859) while a student at the University of Michigan, diaries from his service in the Civil War (1861-1864), a family letter, and a portrait of Haydon in his military uniform.

The diaries of Charles Haydon are available in For country, cause & leader : the Civil War journal of Charles B. Haydon edited by Stephen W. Sears (New York : Ticknor & Fields, 1993)

Biographical / Historical:

Charles B. Haydon was born in 1834 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended college at the University of Michigan during the years 1854-1857, but did not graduate.

He practices law in Kalamazoo until he joined the army in response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to fight in the Civil War. From 1861 to 184, Haydon served in Company E of the Second Michigan Infantry, starting as a private and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his service in the army, Haydon kept a diary in pocket-size notebooks. His unit was involved in numerous significant battles: Bull Run, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, and Jackson. Haydon was wounded badly in the latter battle in July 1863.

On March 14, 1864, Haydon died of pneumonia in Cincinnati, Ohio, while his regiment was on the way home to Michigan for a rest.

Acquisition Information:

The diaries were donated in 1949 or 1950 by Ione Haydon (donor no. 2710 ), Charles Haydon's niece, and came to the library through Arba Moulton (donor no. 3929 ), former editor and publisher of the Decatur Republican , which had published transcriptions of the diary entries in the 1940s.

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Related Material

Grand Valley State University Libraries holds the following map, part of its Lemmen Collection on Lincoln and the American Civil War:

Lloyd's official map of the state of Virginia : from actual surveys by order of the executive 1828 & 1859 / corrected and revised by J.T. Lloyd to 1862, from surveys made by Capt. W. Angelo Powell, of the U. S. Topographical Engineers of Gen. Rosencrans' staff. Publisher: New York : J.T. Lloyd [1862].

On the inside front cover is written in brown ink: "Charles B. Haydon / 1st Lt. Co. I & Actg. Adjt. / 2nd Mich. Inf. / Rifle Pits in front of Richmond Va. / June 21st, 1862"

Call Number: G3880 1862 .L55

Alternative Form Available:

Materials in this collection have been microfilmed and digitized, with online availability; please see the Contents List for more information.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Law.
Soldiers -- Michigan -- Kalamazoo.
Soldiers -- Michigan -- Kalamazoo.

Formats:

Diaries.
Photographs.

Names:

United States. Army. Michigan Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865). Company E.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Classical Studies.
University of Michigan -- Students -- Social life and customs -- 1851-1860.
University of Michigan -- Student notebooks.
Boise, James Robinson, 1815-1895.
Haydon, Arthur W., 1844-1918.
Haydon, Charles B., 1834-1864.

Places:

Kalamazoo (Mich.)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.