Collection ID: LMC 2875
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Adair, Lyle, 1843-
Abstract:
The Adair, Lyle G. mss., 1863-1864, consists of the wartime correspondence of Seargeant Lyle G. Adair, 1843-1918, during his service with the 111th United States Colored Infantry.
Extent:
1 Folder
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Aldair, Lyle G. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Lyle G. Adair, 1843-1918, was the nephew of abolitionist Rev. Samuel Lyle Adair. He grew up in Indiana and Ohio. He enlisted with the 81st Ohio Infantry as a priate in September 1861. His regiment served in Tennessee and Alabama and was heavily engaged at Shiloh. In January 1864 he joined the 3rd Alabama Infantry, an all Black Union regiment, as orderly sergeant. The 3rd Alabama Infantry was one of the first two Black regiments recruited in middle Tennessee. Stationed at Fort Pulaski, the 3rd Alabama was charged with guarding critical rail lines between Tennessee and Alabama. In June 1864, the regiment changed its name to the 111th United States Colored Infantry, which served until April 1866. Lyle G. Adair died 28 Nov 1918 in Terre Haute at the age of 73.

Scope and Content:

The Adair, Lyle G. mss., 1863-1864, consists of wartime correspondence of Lyle G. Adair during his service with the 111th United States Colored Infantry. His letters comment on race relations during the height of the Civil War. Adair wrote six letters from May 6, 1863, to July 21, 1864, to his mother, Nancy Templin Adair, describing his service with the 3rd Alabama Infantry. In his letters he describes the early interactions of Black soldiers with the white local population in occupied northern Alabama; his comrades, their mannerisms, his assessment of their performance as soldiers, his developing kinship with them; and his outrage over the Confederate massacre of approximately 300 Black soldiers at Fort Pillow in April 1864.

Acquisition information:
Purchase: 2015
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged following original order.

Physical location:
Lilly - Short

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

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TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Aldair, Lyle G. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu