Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Because his Civil War service was pivotal in his life, letters from this period warranted further description. From 1861 to 1866, Parkhurst wrote one hundred and five letters to his sisters and to his young daughter. In these letters, he describes Fort Wayne and the steamer Mississippi; also the camp at West Point, Ky., with a drawing of the streets of tents and of his tent in particular. He writes of sickness in camp, his duties, marches, guerrillas, Vallandigham's crossing, and skirmishes with Morgan. He tells about the crops, the flies, and spring floods. He describes the beauties of the countryside, the conditions of the roads and the supply lines, and the fighting around Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and at Chickamauga, and the siege of Atlanta, with a special account of the battle of Stones River. He also tells of the forming of the 23rd Brigade, the exchange of prisoners, and mustering out. There are comments on General Thomas and a great many on his own family and personal affairs. Associated with these letters are the several files of other Civil War documents that he preserved, his recollection of the Battle of Stones River, and his involvement with veterans groups. A microfilm copy of this portion of the Parkhurst papers is available for interlibrary loan.