Collections : [Central Michigan University Clarke Historical Library]

Family papers, photographic images, promotion papers, and medical writings of Joseph Rowe Smith, Jr., letters to/from his brother, Henry Smith, military and medical papers of Joseph Rowe Smith, Sr., and miscellaneous family materials.

The papers of Joseph Rowe Smith, Sr., 1823-1859, and undated, document his diary of his military career, 1823-1835, which traces his traveling, survey work in Florida, illnesses, births, and deaths of children, his affection for his wife, and conversion to Christianity following exposure to several severe cholera epidemics are particularly interesting. His faith comforted him through the loss of two babies. Also of interest are medical reports on his injured elbow, and estate papers.

The papers of Joseph Rowe Smith, Jr., 1848-1910, and undated, include his promotion papers, photographic images, and his medical writings. Also found in Box 1 are letters from Henry Smith to his brother Joseph R. Smith, Sr., and a journal, 1870-1878, and several folders of miscellaneous materials of Horace Smith, 1870, 1920.

Miscellaneous family papers and photographic materials, mostly undated, complete the collection. Item-level index cards are also found in Box 3. Note: The Clarke also has two portraits of Smith: one is a small. framed, damaged water color portrait probably from his West Point graduation, circa 1823;the second is an oversized, framed, painted portrait of Smith in uniform with his arm in a sling, undated. For more information about the portraits, please refer to the Framed Art Inventory binder.

A letter Smith wrote on November 13, 1862 to President Abraham Lincoln recommending Rev. S. T. Carpenter of Polo, Illinois for chaplain at the Washington Park Hospital in Cincinnati. Note by Surgeon General W. A. Hammond concurring is housed in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. A link to the finding aid describing the letter is found at https://illinois.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/2557.

The collection consists of correspondence between Parker and his friends during the Civil War, mostly Michigan men in Michigan units, and Parker's post-war business and Grand Army of the Republic correspondence.

About half of the papers consist of letters to Parker’s friends during the Civil War. In 1861, Charles C. Hopkins wrote of camping in Washington, Virginia, homesickness, and the climate and Chester Farrand wrote of crushing the Rebellion quickly.

In 1862, C.C. Hopkins wrote of fighting, the death of Chester Farrand, measles in camp, and mud; R.E. Trowbridge hoped the war would end soon; and George Hopkins wrote from a field hospital while Trowbridge wrote to Parker offering to help get Parker’s pay.

In 1863, George Hopkins wrote from the 17th Regiment, Michigan Infantry Camp located opposite Fredericksburg, about promotions and Henry P. Seymour wrote of his promotions in 27th Regiment, Michigan Infantry and Southern deserters. On April 5, 1863, Seymour reported the fall of Richmond. Oscar N. Castle described the 24th Regiment, Michigan Infantry’s actions at Fredericksburg. Henry Seymour, near Fairfax, Virginia, wrote of five months without pay, losing a commission, and measles.

In 1864, Frank Drake wrote from the U.S. gunboat, Undine, of the destruction of Paducah, skirmishes, and the Tennessee River. At the end of 1864, Henry Seymour wrote from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, of hard fights, prisoners, and losses.

In May 1865, Charles D. Smith wrote for help to be released from prison for desertion.

Also, there is an 1863 U.S. Army General Hospital Roll (Baltimore) which lists Parker.

The rest of the collection includes post-war business correspondence, 1866-1917; G.A.R. correspondence, 1888-1896; state laws concerning disabled veterans, 1883-1887; and the papers and photograph of Flemon Drake, 1835-1860, Parker’s father-in-law.

A letter press scrapbook, 1842, of Chester Stringham, a Detroit businessman, was used as a scrapbook by Parker. He used it for political science lecture clippings, 1868-1870. Lastly, there is an oversized folder with a list of men who served in Co. C of the 1st Regiment, Michigan, 5th District, another veterans group, in 1866.