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James O. Martin collection on Civil War

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 285

Scope and Contents

This collection is divided into three series: I. military documentation, II. veteran and commemorative medals, pins, badges, III. and artifacts. This collection consists of 15 boxes of material. Although this is primarily a Civil War collection, some materials predate the war and other items are related to veteran organizations. The age of materials contained in the collection range from around 1800 to the 1970s.

Series I: Military Correspondence and Documentation:

The documentation in Series I is organized by state, division, type of documentation, and chronological order. Boxes 1 and 2 contain military documentation relating to the war. Boxes 3 and 4 contain oversized military documentation directly related to the materials from the first two boxes. Box 4 also contains newspapers and a poster that relates to a veteran's organization. Box 5 contains ballads, booklets, veteran materials, and other miscellaneous items. Box 6 contains two bill of sale contracts for the purchase of three slaves.

Much of the military correspondence and documentation are letters of certification. A certificate of vacancy requests replacements for vacancies and often lists how many men are in that particular branch of the division. Certificates of ability are signed by a military surgeon and state the physical and mental abilities of a specific officer. (The use of the term mustering refers to enlisting, re-enlisting, and leaving the military service.)

Series II: Veteran and Commemorative Medals, Badges, Pins, and Other Items:

The items in Series II are organized by state, type, and chronological order. Boxes 7–11 all contain a variety of veteran and commemorative medals, badges, pins, and other items. Most of these items in Series II are related to veteran reunions and similar organizations. Some items in this series commemorate battles and generals, and other items are soldier buttons, pins, and apparel regalia. Box 11 contains oversized items that are directly connected with the materials from boxes 7-10. (Items abbreviated as GAR stand for the Grand Army of the Republic.)

Series III: Miscellaneous Artifacts

Dates

  • Creation: 1812-1971

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the James O. Martin collection on Civil War must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Extent

15 boxes (9 linear feet)

Abstract

This collection contains original Civil War era materials and artifacts collected by James O. Martin, a former resident of Logan, Utah, and includes military documentation, correspondence, veteran and commemorative medals, pins, badges, and artifacts.

Arrangement

Arranged by state, division, type of documentation and chronological order.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this collection were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by James O. Martin during the years of 1976 to 1981.

Processing Information

Processed in May of 2004.

Title
Guide to the James O. Martin collection on Civil War 1812-1971
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Zachary R. Jones
Date
©2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)