The great bulk of the collection consists of correspondence of Parkhurst and other members of his family. Except for period of time when Parkhurst was away from home, the letters are largely incoming. Copies were not made of responses.
10 linear feet — 1 oversize folder
The John G. Parkhurst collection consists of correspondence from family, friends and associates regarding personal and business affairs, military matters, and Democratic politics; miscellaneous other materials and photograph. the collections has been divided into the following series: Correspondence; John G. Parkhurst Civil War service; John G. Parkhurst diplomatic and other activities; and Other family materials, business records, and miscellaneous.
Because his Civil War service was pivotal in his life, letters from this period warranted further description. From 1861 to 1866, Parkhurst wrote one hundred and five letters to his sisters and to his young daughter. In these letters, he describes Fort Wayne and the steamer Mississippi; also the camp at West Point, Ky., with a drawing of the streets of tents and of his tent in particular. He writes of sickness in camp, his duties, marches, guerrillas, Vallandigham's crossing, and skirmishes with Morgan. He tells about the crops, the flies, and spring floods. He describes the beauties of the countryside, the conditions of the roads and the supply lines, and the fighting around Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and at Chickamauga, and the siege of Atlanta, with a special account of the battle of Stones River. He also tells of the forming of the 23rd Brigade, the exchange of prisoners, and mustering out. There are comments on General Thomas and a great many on his own family and personal affairs. Associated with these letters are the several files of other Civil War documents that he preserved, his recollection of the Battle of Stones River, and his involvement with veterans groups. A microfilm copy of this portion of the Parkhurst papers is available for interlibrary loan.