Finding Aid for the Alfred B. McCreary Papers, 1862-2006 (Bulk 1862-1865)


MS-3037

University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN


Collection processed by: Sarena Cleeton, April 11, 2007
Finding Aid written by: Sarena Cleeton, April 12, 2007
Encoded by: Sarena Cleeton, April 13, 2007

Summary Information
Title: Alfred B. McCreary Papers

Date/Date Range :   1862-2006

Extent: 0.5 linear feet

Abstract:
This collection contains 34 original letters written by Alfred B. McCreary to his father, sister, and brothers during the Civil War. The letters describe the movements and activities of his regiment and give McCreary's perspectives on the progress of the war. The collection contains original documents and photocopies of original documents from the National Archives concerning McCreary's attempt to receive a pension from the Department of the Interior. The collection also includes background research on McCreary and the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Call number: MS-3037

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

Access and Use
Aquisition Information:
Collection is property of Special Collections.
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], Alfred B. McCreary Papers, MS-3037. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Arrangement

This collection consists of three series in one box:

  1. Series I: Alfred B. McCreary Papers (original documents)
  2. Series II: Alfred B. McCreary Pension Records (photocopies)
  3. Series III: Background Research

Biography / History

Alfred Biddleton McCreary (1843-1899), son of George McCreary and Mary Hayden, was a Civil War soldier from Bradner, a small town in northwest Ohio. He enlisted as a Private in the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on June 11, 1861 and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. While in the 26th, McCreary served the Union in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. At the end of the war, McCreary enlisted in the 16th Kansas Calvary, serving on the western frontier. He married Sarah Albina Jones. McCreary was also a poet. He wrote a poem entitled "Old Tennessee" that describes his longing to be home and his desire to see a unified nation.


Collection Scope and Content Note

This collection contains 34 original letters written by Alfred B. McCreary to his father, sister, and brothers during the Civil War. The letters describe the movements and activities of his regiment and give McCreary's perspectives on the progress of the war. A few of the letters have hand-drawn maps and detailed descriptions of troop movements. The letters all have typed transcriptions and notes from a previous owner.

The collection also contains original documents concerning McCreary's attempt to receive a pension from the Department of the Interior. In addition to the originals, the previous owner of this collection obtained photocopies of McCreary's pension records from the National Archives. The collection also includes background research on McCreary and the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Subject Terms

  • McCreary, Alfred Biddleton, 1843-1899.
  • Poets.
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Contents List
   

Series I: Alfred B. McCreary Papers (original documents), 1862-1892

   

Sub-series A: Correspondence, 1862-1864

Box   1     Folder   1    
From Alfred B. McCreary to George McCreary (father), 1862-1864

Box   1     Folder   2    
From Alfred B. McCreary to George McCreary (father), 1862-1864

Box   1     Folder   3    
From Alfred B. McCreary to George McCreary (brother), 1864

Box   1     Folder   4    
From George McCreary (brother) to Alfred B. McCreary, 1864

Box   1     Folder   5    
From Vince McCreary (brother) to Alfred B. McCreary, 1864

Box   1     Folder   6    
From Alfred B. McCreary to unknown individual(s), undated

   

Sub-series B: Military papers, 1882-1892

Box   1     Folder   7    
Pension papers, 1885-1890

Box   1     Folder   8    
Department of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic papers, 1882-1892

Box   1     Folder   9    
Regimental Association papers, 1886

   

Series II: Alfred B. McCreary Pension Records (photocopies of originals), 1864-1911

Box   1     Folder   10    
Pension records from National Archives, 1864-1911

Box   1     Folder   11    
Pension records from National Archives, 1864-1911

   

Series III: Background Research, 1862-2006

Box   1     Folder   12    
Alfred B. McCreary biographical information, 2006

Box   1     Folder   13    
26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regimental history, 1997-2006

Box   1     Folder   14    
Reports and correspondence from members of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry (typed transcripts), 1862-1865