The Hill mss., 1851-1914, consist mainly of letters and papers of James Nathaniel Hill, 1833-1902, farmer of Owen County, Indiana, and Civil War soldier. Included also are some letters and papers of John Robert Steele, Civil War soldier and brother of Mary Elizabeth Steele, whom James Nathaniel Hill married in 1865.

Papers of James Nathaniel Hill in the collection include Civil War letters written by him to his mother, Mrs. Clarissa (Hughey) Hill; Civil War letters from him to his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Steele; letters, 1853-1870, to Hill from relatives and friends, some of whom were Civil War soldiers; Hill's commissions as second and first lieutenant, September 6, 1861, and December 21, 1862, both of which are signed by Oliver Perry Morton; a muster roll of Co. E, 33rd regiment, August 1-October 31, 1862; reports on clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, 1862; a Map of the 7th division, army of the Ohio, General Morgan, Cumberland Ford, Tennessee, 1862, by Estus Wallingford; and an undated constitution of Carp Rambler, an organization formed in Carp, Indiana, to explore the natural scenery and places of interest in Owen County, Indiana.

Particularly interesting letters of James Nathaniel Hill are one of October 31, 1861, to Mary Elizabeth Steele, containing his observations on slavery; and one of May 28, 1863, to his mother relating to the care he received while hospitalized.

Of the letters to Hill, one of April 27, 1856, from Thomas C. Westall comments on political conditions in North Carolina; one of June 9, 1857, from Charity C. Wright describes Freeport Illinois; one of January 1, 1858, from A. M. Penland relates to anti-slavery violence in Kansas; one of February 3, 1861, from George W. Naanes concerns rioting at an Abolition meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and an undated letter from Mary B. Strong tells of attacks of Siouan and Chippewa Indians on white inhabitants of Minnesota.

Papers of John Robert Steele, a member of Company E, 33rd regiment, Indiana infantry, who was killed in the Battle at Thompson's Station, Tennessee, March 5, 1863, consist of Civil War letters to his sister, Mary Elizabeth Steele, and to his father, J. H. Steele, and his certificate of appointment as second corporal in Company E, October 10, 1861.