The letters form an almost complete diary of Henry Mathes' army life covering practically every day of his service in the Indiana Fifteenth Volunteer Infantry and later, in the United States Signal Corps.

The exhibit included the 1861-1864 Mathes Civil War letters, scenes representing a soldier's camp and his girlfriend Annie's Bedford home. Artifacts from the museum collections were used to portray how a Civil War soldier might have lived, his work and how he spent his time on and off duty.

Depiction of home: Annie Rogers lived on the corner of Sycamore (16th) and Lincoln (L) Streets.It was just a block away from the Christian Church, which was the center of both her life and the life of Henry Mathes.

Camp scene using re-enactment clothing and equipment, Girlfriend Annie Rogers' home scene can be seen in the background.

The reading table provided hands-on opportunities.

The letters expressed Henry's growing love for Annie and express Civil War news at locations on the Western Front of the Union Army of the Cumberland.

An important tool for survival during war.

A few of the equipment needs in a soldiers life.

A DVD provided an overview of the Civil War in four minutes. The case below included Confederate artifacts.

Silas H. H. Mathes

As a member of the new Signal Corps, Maths learned to operate the Beardslee telegraph.

Harper's Weekly: running telegraph line for the Signal Corps.

Music was important to the lives of the soldiers.

Photography was a new technology during the Civil War. Maths and Annie Rogers shared photos.

In 1864, Mathes and several of his fellow soldiers had a picture made at Lookout Mountain.

Map of the locations where Mathes served and the battles in which he participated as well as the generals of both armies.

When Mathes returned from the war, he married Annie Rogers. He also became the editor of the "Bedford Independent" newspaper.

The book is available for purchased for $30. Contact the museum for details.