John C. Fleming Papers, 1862-1906

Gift of Mrs. Clayton Gaylord, 1964.

The John C. Fleming Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The John C. Fleming 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.

John C. Fleming Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Amy Nyholm, 1966; Virginia H. Smith, 2000.

Chicago Civil War soldier.

Born in 1844, John C. Fleming, an 18 year old clerk, enlisted as a private in the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Horse Artillery, Illinois Volunteers in 1862. Fleming was enthusiastic about being a soldier, and many nearby regiments contained friends and acquaintances who he kept track of throughout the war. Little is known about his life after he was mustered out June 30,1865, apparently unhurt by the War, and met his relieved and happy relations in Chicago. His last known address was a Chicago business address, the Marquette Building, in 1902.

Collection of letters Fleming wrote to his mother, stepfather, sister, brother, and uncle during the Civil War. Also, a small collection of letters and mementos of the Fleming Family, mostly dating after 1900.

The movements of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Horse Artillery, Illinois Volunteers can be found in Historical Sketch of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Horse Artillery, Illinois Volunteers. Chicago: 1902. The main sites from which Fleming wrote are: Louisville and Bowling Green, KY; Murfreesboro, TN; Winchester, AL; and near Atlanta, GA. The letters are mostly concerned with descriptions of camp life and daily activities, though he also includes thorough descriptions of marches, as well as raids and foraging expeditions. Fleming's battery was at camp in Murfreesboro for the majority of the war, but when it did join Sherman's army near Atlanta, Fleming includes details of each fight as well as a graphic list of injuries and deaths. Letters include a map drawn by Fleming representing an earlier fight, the Battle of Stones River.

The papers are arranged chronologically in one box as follows: The letters of John C. Fleming, 1862-1865 (20 folders); Fleming Family Mementos (5 folders).

• Names
  • Confederate States of America. -- History-Sources
  • Fleming, John C., b. 1844 -- Correspondence
  • United States. Army. Illinois Artillery. Chicago Board of Trade Battery (1862-1865).
• Subject
  • Atlanta Campaign, 1864 -- Personal narratives
  • Brothers and sisters -- Correspondence
  • Chicago
  • Civil War
  • Family Papers
  • Manuscripts, American
  • Operational rations (military supplies) -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
  • Parent and adult child -- Correspondence
  • Soldiers -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
  • Soldiers' writings, American
  • Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863 -- Maps
  • Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863 -- Personal narratives
• Geographic Coverage
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military life
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives