Smith and Carpenter families papers

Collection

Identifier: c-00301

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains four Civil War letters and a small diary of Josiah B. Smith, kept during his service as a bugler in the 8th Michigan Cavalry in Tennessee and Kentucky. The letters were written to Josiah's wife, Mary A. Smith. In the diary, Josiah writes about daily duties in camp, his letter writing schedule, and the condition of his health. The collection also includes an official copy of his enlistment and discharge papers.

In addition, receipts for taxes on land in Newaygo County, Michigan, belonging to John, Myron, and Romanda Carpenter, early settlers in the area, are also included.

Dates

Creation: 1864 - 1913

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Josiah B. Smith was born in September 1838 in Canada. He mustered into the Michigan 8 Cavalry, Company F, at Detroit, Michigan in August 1864. He mustered out June 10, 1865 at Pulaski, Tennessee.

He married Mary A. Smith in 1858.