Weeks, John F. (fl. 1835-1900) [Collection of John F. Weeks, K company, 36th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06728 Author/Creator: Weeks, John F. (fl. 1835-1900) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1862-1865 Pagination: 141 approx. items Order a Copy
The John F. Weeks collection consists of approximately seventy-five letters written by Weeks to his family during his service. These letters include accounts of the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. Along with descriptions of life at camp and news about fellow soldiers from home, Weeks often mentions his desire to join the order of Free Masons;. Letters dated after Weeks' discharge in September of 1864, are primarily from individuals in Weeks' Company who write to him with news from the Company/Regiment. Also included in this part of the correspondence are letters regarding Weeks' requests for affidavit support from his comrades for his pension application. In addition to the correspondence in this collection, there are various items related to Weeks and his family including wedding invitations, a pension certificate, photographs, a promissory note, a 36th Ill. reunion ribbon, calling cards and a wallet. Of particular interest are three issues of the Benton Banner a manuscript camp newspaper of which Weeks was co-editor. Finally the collection also includes four diaries that Weeks kept during his service and an arithmetic book inscribed with a family member's name. Partially decimalized.
John F. Weeks enlisted as a private on August 20, 1861 and was mustered into Company K, Illinois 36th infantry where he was later promoted to Sergeant. On September 22, 1864 Weeks was discharged on account of health problems resulting from a lung disease contracted while in service.
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