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R         Reilly, Philip A., 1830-1864.

84                    Letters, 1858-1863.

                                    Two folders.

 

 

 

These are Civil War letters, with annotated typescripts, of Philip A. Reilly of the 29th Mis­souri Infantry.  Reilly served in the operations against Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was captured at Ringgold, Georgia.  He died at Andersonville, Georgia, on 24 May 1864.  The collection in­cludes a letter written by Reilly’s father at Jackson, Missouri, 16 August 1858.

 

Folder 1: Letters, 1858-1863.

 

1858, August 16.  John Reilly, Jackson, Missouri, to his son, John A. Reilly, Greencas­tle, [Pennsylvania?].  Discusses the best means of travel from Philadelphia to Mis­souri.

 

1862, July 13.  Philip Reilly, Jonesboro, Illinois, to William A. Reilly, Bollinger County, Missouri.  Talks of his employment as a carriage maker in Jonesboro, and mentions McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign in Virginia.  The letter also reveals that Reilly had marital problems.

 

1863, February 14.  Philip Reilly, “In Camp Before Vicksburg,” to William Reilly, Boll­inger County, Missouri.  Describes the fortifications around Vicksburg and opera­tions against the city.

 

[1863, February 15-18].  Five-page fragment of a letter from Philip Reilly to his brother.  Contains a detailed description of the passage from Cape Girardeau to Vicksburg and the assault on the city, 27 December 1862--1 January 1863.  The army then moved against Fort Hindman, Arkansas.  After the surrender of that fort, the regiment was posted below Vicksburg.

 

1863, March 19.  Philip Reilly, Vicksburg, to his parents, Bollinger County, Missouri.  Won­ders if his letters home are being delivered, and why he hasn’t heard in return.

 

1863, March 31.  Philip Reilly, Vicksburg, to his brother, Willie.  Discusses the politi­cal preferences of the troops.  Advises his brothers to join the militia to avoid con­scrip­tion.

 

1863, June 22.  Philip Reilly, “Battle Field, Vicksburg, Miss.,” to his parents.  Contains little war news.

 

[1863, July 10-19].  Five-page fragment.  Contains a description of the siege and cap­ture of Jackson, Mississippi.

 

1863, November 3.  Philip Reilly, Waterloo, Alabama, to his parents.  Description of Cor­inth, Mississippi, and mention of fight at Iuka.

 

Folder 2:  “In Camp Before Vicksburg: Civil War Letters of Pvt. Philip A. Reilly,” edited by Jane Reilly Purcell.  Bollinger County Historical Society Echo, IV (Oct. 1981), 85-101.

 

 

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