When the war began, Henry Bitner and his friends Alex “Ellic” Cressler, David Daihl, Thaddeus “Thad” Donely, William Kindig, William Martin, and David Shoemaker were mostly young men still living with their parents and siblings in Southampton, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Of Bitner’s correspondents, all but Cressler served in the Union army during the war, in either the 130th Pennsylvania, 77th Pennsylvania, 170th Pennsylvania, or 11th Ohio. In their wartime letters (1861-1863), Bitner’s correspondents described their wartime experiences. At least three of them survived the war, but at least one did not.

George W. Brewer remained in Chambersburg during the war, where he made a living as an attorney. Four wartime letters (1864) in the collection of George W. Brewer concern a soldier’s life and the burning of Chambersburg.

Enlisting while in his mid-twenties, James Carman served as a lieutenant in 107th Pennsylvania Volunteers during the war. Two of Carman’s letters to his father describe camp conditions, troop movements, battles, and Carman's own difficult decisions about staying in the army. In one letter, July 18, 1862, James Carman wrote to his father, Martin W. Carman, regarding expectations of an upcoming approach to Richmond, the conduct of the war, his decision not to resign from the army, and differences in attitudes toward the war between urban and rural Virginians. In another letter, December 17, 1862, Carman wrote to his father about the Battle of Fredericksburg, the lateness of his pay, and his desire to resign from the army.

Sylvester McElheney was a private in the 208th Pennsylvania and served from September 1864 through April 1865. His wartime letters (1864-1865) to his wife, Harriet, during this time reveal their struggle to maintain close ties while he was away in Virginia. His writings also provide a Union soldier’s perspective on Virginia society and on the burning of Virginia homes in retaliation for the burning of Chambersburg. Two letters from Jacob Shearer and Frances Pleasants inform Harriet McElheney of her husband’s wounding and eventual death in the service.

Alexander K. McClure, an attorney and newspaperman, lived in Chambersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Active in politics, McClure maintained ties with a number of prominent politicians, as his correspondence with Abraham Lincoln and Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin, indicates. These wartime letters were usually address to Eli Slifer and concerned political matters.

Samuel North was an 18-year-old tanner living with his family when he enlisted in the Union army. In these wartime letters (1862-1864) written to his family, North describes his life as a soldier in camp, on the march, and in battle.

Franklin Rosenbery served as a Union soldier during the war. In these wartime letters (1863-1864) he writes mostly to his father John Abraham Rosenbery, and occasionally to other family members. He describes in great detail his love of God and the Union.

Lauramann Howe Russell was not a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, but he resided in Chambersburg at the Academy Hospital for a short time during the war. Russell served in the 13th Massachusetts Volunteers as a physician. In these wartime letters (1862) to his daughters Serena and Ellen back home in Massachusetts, Russell describes the town and people of Chambersburg.

In this collection of four wartime letters (1862-1864), Benjamin S. Schneck wrote to his sister Margaretta S. Keller about his trip west through Ohio, rumors of a Confederate march into Pennsylvania in 1862, and the burning of Chambersburg in 1864. Though not listed in either the 1860 or 1870 census, Schneck lived in Chambersburg during the Civil War.

In a letter on March 6, 1863, Smith describes camp life and remarks upon the terrible winter weather. He goes on to complain about the war’s length, angrily questioning the motives of “rebels” and complaining about Virginia’s terrain. Smith concludes by recounting a recent skirmish with “rebel” forces. He goes out of his way to mention seeing a “dead rebel.” In another letter on March 22, 1863, Smith asks his grandmother to send money and mentions a recent cavalry raid, noting that he missed it because he was on guard duty.

Thaddeus Stevens was born in Vermont in 1792, but spent most of his life in Pennsylvania. He purchased land in Franklin County and before the war was elected to Congress. He became known for his abolitionist views and for his outspoken refusal to end the war without ending slavery. This collection contains thirteen wartime letters (1861-1865) regarding various wartime concerns written to Stevens by Franklin County men. Correspondents include William E. Camp, Jr., John R. Agnew, William McLellan, W. Maxwell, W.H. McDowell, James Nill, W. Hammett, Alexander McClure, and C.S. Eyster.

William Tolbert worked for the Chief Engineer’s Office of U.S. Military Railroads during the end of the war. In this small collection of wartime letters (1864-1865), William writes to his sister Emma, discussing general working conditions and some of the military units he has been working near while stationed in Tennessee and Mississippi.