Nineteen Letters from Lot Sabin Willard to his mother, father, and brother in Peoria, Illinois during the Civil War, from 1862-1864, as well as two envelopes addressed to Maria Sabin Hathaway (Mrs. G. Hathaway), Brimfield, Peoria county, Illinois.

Willard’s first two letters, which explain details of camp life at St. Louis, Missouri and express anticipation for active service, are quickly followed by two from Pittsburg, Tennessee detailing the horror of the Battle of Shiloh, with specifics about his participation and reinforcements. Willard continues sending letters from LaGrange and Memphis, Tennessee; Tallahatchie River, Mississippi; Millikin’s Bend, and Providence, Louisiana; and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which discuss food, skirmishes, battles, blockades, Vicksburg and commanding figures such as McPherson, Grant, and Sherman. Willard also writes about his promotion to major and Senior Aide-de-Camp, corruption amongst the officers, his feelings on the anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh, and his own longing for home and peace. After this, he follows Sherman and writes a quick letter after the battle of Resaca to reassure his family, as well as a longer one anticipating the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, writing from Resaca, Kingston, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia and near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Willard’s letters clearly show his perspective as an officer, looking not only at the immediate battles but at wider politics and battle plans, as well as his obvious preference for peace.