Bush, Elliot N., d. 1864
Bush, Henry M.

Papers, 1863 January 6-1864 December 6
6 items

Bush, Elliot N., d. 1864
Rank:	Capt.
Regiment:	95th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Co. G (1862-1865)
Service:	1862 September 4-1864 June 10

Bush, Henry M.
Rank:	1st Lt.
Regiment:	95th Illinois Infantry Regiment (1862-1865)
Service:	1862 September 4-1864 June 10

Biographical information:

The Bush brothers served in the 95th Illinois Infantry from the time of its formation in September 1862. Elliott Bush was Captain of Co. G, while Henry, a 1st Lieut., appears to have been assigned to duty as brigade commissary before being promoted to Captain following Elliott's death at Guntown, Miss.

Scope and Contents:

The Bush letters represent what must have been the tip of an iceberg of correspondence to relatives at home, relating to the operations of the 95th Illinois in Mississippi and Tennessee. Both brothers are exceptionally well written and reflective, and there must originally have been a far greater number of letters. Each of Elliott Bush's four letters, in particular, is a gem, from his first, in which he writes about tough conditions on the march in Mississippi, about parrying with Van Dorn's cavalry near Holly Springs, and the desire of soldiers in his company for destroying and pillaging rebel property and his duty, as an officer, to prevent them; to his last, in which he describes the effect of Union occupation on the women and men of Natchez, Miss.

Perhaps the best letter in this small collection is the one in which Elliott describes the fortifications at Vicksburg, the thoughts that run through his mind during battle, conditions inside the town, and an armistice during which Confederate and Union soldiers mingled, sharing canteens and locating relatives and neighbours in the opposing army.

Regimental history:

Wood, Wales W. A History of the Ninety-Fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers (Chicago, 1865)

Accesion number
Cat. 2/90 ch, 10/94 rsc

Link to subject index to the Bush Brothers Papers

Alphabetic index to the Schoff Civil War Collections

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