Temporary record

Prior to the Civil War, William Disney, a Cincinnati attorney, was Corresponding Secretary of the Patriotic para-military organization, the Guthrie Greys. From early in 1861 through mid-1864, the Greys served in Cincinnati as the 7th Ohio Militia during the war, and then entered the U.S. service as part of the 137th Ohio Infantry, a 100 day regiment. Disney, then 32 years old, received a commission as Captain of Company I. After the war, Disney remained in Cincinnati and resumed his legal practice.

Scope and contents:

The Disney letterbook contains transfer copies of Disney's outgoing correspondence beginning when he was in the Guthrie Greys in 1859 until 1870. The letters include some very interesting information on the Guthrie Greys in the two years before the Civil War, and a few letters from Disney while in the 137th Ohio Infantry, mostly dealing with the status of volunteers under Disney's command, accounting for ordnance stores, and other routine information. There is very little on the war, per se, and the 137th Regiment did not see much action during its 100 day service. The post-war letters concern Disney's legal practice, debt collection, and his investments. There are four letters to the cities of Memphis and Cincinnati, from a former farrier, Ed Whitehead, who was attempting to sell a new pavement he had developed, and other miscellaneous letters, possibly of clients of Disney's. The letterbook is thoroughly indexed.

M-2752.2

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

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