Lawrence County Museum of History

Lawrence County Museum of History & Edward L. Hutton Research Library

Available in the Museum Gift Shop or by mail:

Book:  Silas H.H. Mathes—A Civil War Soldier—Letters Home
Cost: $30 plus shipping

Letters Home is a book which includes a collection of letters written during the American Civil War by Union soldier, Silas H.H. Mathes to his girlfriend, Hester Ann Rogers, who lived in Bedford, Ind.

These letters form an almost complete diary of his army life (1861-1864) covering practically every day of his service in the Indiana Fifteenth Volunteer Infantry and later (beginning Jan. 1863) in the United States Signal Corps.

In addition to expressing his love to Annie, the letters speak of Civil War news at locations on the Western Front of the Union Army of the Cumberland, early information about the Signal Corps, inquiries about friends and relatives, and concern for those at home as well as for those serving in the war.

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Send order to: Lawrence County Museum of History, 929 15th St., Bedford, IN 47421
PLEASE NOTE: At this time payment cannot be made online. Please send your order by U.S. mail—just print and complete the form, attach the appropriate payment (make checks payable to Lawrence County Historical & Genealogical Society). Mail to The Lawrence County Museum of History & Edward L. Hutton Research Library, 929 15th St., Bedford, IN 47421.  

QuestionsPhone: 812-278-8575 • Fax: 812-278-8583 • Web: www.lawrencecountyhistory.org

Two of our telegraph machines, with men enough of our party to operate them have been sent from here to LaVergne, (pronounced Laverne) a day or two ago, and a week or two ago two were sent out on the Shelbyville pike, so that but two are left in Murfreesboro—one at General Rosecran’s Headquarters, and the other at General Crittenden’s. I am at Gen. Rosecran’s again. I would much rather have remained at the court house where I was, but as a soldier, I have to obey orders, which is the first duty of a soldier. I think I will fully understand the art of obeying orders by the time I am out of the service of the United States.
— Henry Mathes—June 16, 1863

929 15th Street, Bedford, IN 47421  |  (812) 278-8575  |  lchgs@lcmuseum.org | Tues-Fri: 9-4, Sat: 9-3