Charles Williams Cathcart Papers (LC.00006)

The collection includes several letters about the Civil War and life as a soldier from Charles' son, James, and his nephew, Will Peabody. The governor appointed James as first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster for Company S and F of the 99th Indiana Infantry on August 27, 1862. He mustered out on June 5, 1865. Will mustered in on August 9, 1862, in Company E of the 4th Indiana Cavalry. He was killed in a skirmish at Rutherford Creek, Tennessee, sometime in 1863. Most letters deal with camp life and duties as well as political activities during the Civil War. Also included is Charles' suggestion to amend the Constitution to give the "boys in the field a vote."