Skip to main content

Milton P. Chambers Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MC 795

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of 17 letters written by Milton Chambers while in Helena and Little Rock to his brother, Armory K. Chambers, in Glenwood, Iowa. The earliest is dated June 14, 1863, and the latest December 28, 1864. The majority of the letters describe routine garrison duties and troop morale, but a vivid description of the Red River Expedition accurately documents Milton's combat experience. Milton was a prolific writer, and refers many times to other letters he wrote to members of his family besides Armory. As a result, some of Milton's experiences are not adequately recorded in these letters because he did not wish to repeat himself. For example, he was undoubtedly present at the Battle of Helena (Ark.), July 4, 1863, but he wrote his impressions of combat to a relative named "Luke" and only refers Armory to that letter and newspaper accounts of the fight. Also missing is a letter Milton must have written to his parents after George died on July 19, 1863. By the time he wrote Armory again on August 11, he only mentions the matter of collecting George's pay rather than details concerning his death. Fortunately, Milton chose to relate his adventures during the Red River Expedition to Armory in a letter dated May 3, 1864, and his observations include the conduct of black troops during the course of this campaign.

Dates

  • 1863-1864

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Milton P. Chambers was born about 1841 in Indiana. By 1862, he and his family had moved to Glenwood, Mills County, Iowa, where they all were probably engaged in farming. On August 14 of that year Milton and his younger brother, George G. Chambers, enlisted in Company B, 29th Iowa Infantry. The Chambers brothers were officially mustered in on November 15, 1862.

The 29th Iowa first marched to St. Joseph, Missouri, and then proceeded by rail to St. Louis where their first assignment consisted of guarding prisoners of war. After a brief re-enforcement expedition in early January, 1863, to a federal garrison at Columbus, Kentucky, the Chambers brothers and their regiment were transferred to Helena, Arkansas, and remained there for the next eight months. During their stay in Helena, George became ill and died on July 19, 1863. He was subsequently buried in the National Cemetery at Helena.

On August 11, Milton marched with the 29th Iowa to Little Rock. The regiment occupied the capitol for the duration of its service in Arkansas with the exception of its participation in General Frederick Steele's Red River Expedition in March and April, 1864. Milton was present at the battles of Elkin's Ford, Prairie D'Ane, and Jenkin's Ferry during this time. In February, 1865, the 29th was ordered south to Louisiana and the balance of Milton's military career occurred there. He was mustered out on August 10, 1865, at New Orleans.

Extent

0.02 Linear Feet (2 folders)

Arrangement of the Papers

Letters are arranged in chronological order in two folders.

Acquisition Information

The Milton P. Chambers Letters were purchased by the Special Collections Department, University of Arkansas Libraries, on May 3, 1988, from Charles Apfelbaum of Valley Stream, New York. Two additional letters that are integrated into the Milton P. Chambers Letters, dated September 25, 1864 and October 18, 1864, were donated to the Special Collections Department, University of Arkansas Libraries, on January 13, 2011, by Shirley Sandberg, of Thousand Palms, California, the great-granddaughter of Chambers.

Processing Information

Processed by Kim Allen Scott; completed in May 1988.

Creator

Source

Title
Milton P. Chambers Letters
Status
Completed
Author
Kim Allen Scott
Date
May 1988
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444