ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202
COLLECTION: OGL# 1029
DATES: 1864
SIZE: .25 linear feet
ACQUISITION: The David Coon Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Mrs. E. D. Coon of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1985 (Acc #85-1396).
PROVENANCE: The original collection of letters is held by Mrs. E. D. Coon of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.
David Coon was born February 10, 1822, near Beckmantown, Clinton County, New York. He enlisted in the military service at Green Lake County, February 26, 1864, in Company A, 36th Wisconsin Infantry. He was stationed at Camp Randall until May 10, 1864, when he was ordered to join Hancock's Corps in Virginia. Coon and his regiment participated in many battles until he and almost the entire regiment were captured at the Battle of Ream's Station on August 25, 1864. Coon was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, and later transferred to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he died on November 2, 1864.
The David Coon Papers consist of a photocopied collection of letters that were typewritten from the orginals. The letters were sent to Coon's wife and children describing his first day of enlistment and subsequent events. Coon wrote about the physical examinations, camplife, the daily activities of the regiment, preparations for battles and a dissatification with a colonel. Also in these letters are concerns about money and suggestions to his wife on how to handle the family farm in his absence. These letters are arranged chronologically dating from February 28, 1864, to August 27, 1864.
Box 1
Folder
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