Title: Stephen Gibson Letter

Date/Date Range :   1864 June 12

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection consists of a single letter written by Illinois soldier Stephen Gibson to his brother Andrew Jackson Gibson from his camp in the city of Nashville, Tennessee. Gibson mentions a dislike of the three African American regiments stationed with the Illinois infantry as well as his hatred of the Northern Democrats he calls "Copperheads" .

Call number: MS-2929

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

The University of Tennessee Special Collections Library purchased this collection on September 23, 2006.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Stephen Gibson Letter, MS-2929. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

This collection consists of single folder.

Stephen White Gibson was born to John and Anna McNary Gibson in Henderson County, Illinois on December 22, 1840. He enlisted in Company B of the 59th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on March 9, 1864 and mustered out on December 8, 1865 in Texas. After the war, he returned to Henderson County where he married and had children. He and his family later lived in Iowa and Kansas. He died between 1901 and 1910.

Andrew Jackson Gibson was Stephen's oldest brother. He was born on May 27, 1834 in Henderson County, Illinois, and died on December 13, 1909 in the same place.

In this letter to his brother Andrew, Stephen Gibson expresses his anger that there are three African-American regiments quartered with the 59th in Nashville. He also asks his brother about the activities of "Copperheads" in their hometown. The Copperheads were a faction of northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War and wanted an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. The most famous Copperhead was Ohio's Clement L. Vallandigham, who was a vehement opponent of Lincoln's policies.

• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
• Soldiers -- Correspondence -- Illinois.
• Nashville (Tenn.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.