• IdentificationMidwest MS Munroe
  • TitleInventory of the William H. Munroe Papers, 1794-1920, bulk 1850-1920 Midwest.MS.Munroe
  • PublisherThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • RepositoryThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • Physical Description1.1 linear feet (1 box, 1 oversize box)
  • Date
    • Bulk, 1850-1920
    • 1794-1920
  • Location1 26 4
  • AbstractPersonal papers and documents related to Sergeant William H. Munroe of the Chicago Mercantile Battery and his father, Henry H. Munroe. Correspondence, discharge papers, and two broadsides related to the war are included along with family obituaries, certificates of professional appointment, letters of reference, a last will and testament, and a patent for rheumatism treatment.
  • OriginationMunroe, William H.

Purchased from David J. Louy, 2011.

The William H. Munroe Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The William H. Munroe Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

William H. Munroe Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Shannon E. Pahl, 2011.

This inventory was created with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this inventory do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Chicago Civil War soldier.

Sergeant William H. Munroe, of McHenry County, served with the Chicago Mercantile Battery from 1862-1865. After his discharge from service, Munroe married Agnes W. Goodwillie in Chicago in 1865, and settled in Louisville, Kentucky where he worked as a deputy surveyor and inspector of customs in a customs house. He died ca. 1916.

Civil War and other family papers of William H. Munroe and his father, Henry H. Munroe.

War-related materials include a broadside by Billy R. M., “Father Abraham, We Are Needing Our Pay. A Joke,” an 1881 “Chicago Mercantile Battery Re-Union Song,” an 1869 pamphlet containing the constitution and bylaws of the Chicago Mercantile Battery Association, and Munroe’s discharge papers. Letters, 1864-1865, addressed to Munroe from his father and other family members discuss the home front, fighting in Richmond, Texas rebels, and hopes for Munroe’s discharge.

Papers relating to Munroe’s postwar civilian life and the affairs of his family include documents regarding his career as deputy surveyor in Kentucky, will, and pension, together with the obituaries of family members and documents of his father – 1839 appointment to the Connecticut Militia, patent for a rheumatism treatment, will, and obituary.

Materials arranged alphabetically by type of material.

  • Names
    • Munroe, Henry H.
    • Munroe, William H.
    • United States. Army. Chicago Mercantile Independent Battery Light Artillery (1862-1865).
  • Subject
    • Chicago
    • Civil War
    • Family Papers
    • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
    • Soldiers -- Illinois -- McHenry County
    • Soldiers' writings, American
  • Geographic Coverage
    • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
    • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Humor