American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Approximately 40 war-date letters spanning 1863-1865, many with original covers, including 35 soldier's letters primarily written by Private Nicholas Belveal (1839-1926) of the 33rd Iowa Infantry to his wife, Mary Miller Belveal (1840-1882). Belveal served with the 33rd in the Western Theater, along with his younger brother Samuel J. Belveal (1843-1890) and his brother-in-law Private Joseph T. Miller (ca 1837-1863), both of whom also have letters in the archive.

The regiment was mustered into the service at Oskaloosa in October 1862, and in November set out for the front. Initial duty was in St. Louis before moving to Arkansas. The earliest letter from Belveal is written on 6 January 1863 en route to Helena, and includes a note from Joseph Miller to his sister, Belveal's wife. Belveal's letter of 12 July 1863 references the Battle of Helena and celebrations upon learning about the fall of Vicksburg. From there correspondence is written from Little Rock where he describe life in winter quarters, deserters, visits with fellow soldiers, occasional troop movements, and other news. By May 1865 the regiment is on the move through Alabama to "the boiling plains of Texas" and to put down any remaining southern opposition following Lee's surrender. His final letter is written 22 June 1865. 

[With]: "Descriptive Catalogue of the Panorama of the Battles of Vicksburg fought May 22, 1863, by the Army of the Tennessee, Under the Command of Generals Grant, McClernand, Sherman, McPherson, and Hurlbut, General Pemberton Commanding the Confederate Forces."  ca 1887. -- "Gettysburg Warmed Over...Cyclorama The Battle of Gettysburg Production Costing $120,000." San Francisco: The Battle of Gettysburg Company, 1915. -- A group of more than 20 postcards related to Civil War locations, battles, and monuments. -- Six pieces of Confederate currency. -- Facsimiles of the July 4, 1863, issue of the Vicksburg Daily Citizen.

HDS indicates that Nicholas Belveal of Ioka, Iowa, enlisted on 8/13/1862 as a 22-year old private and mustered into Co. F, Iowa 33rd Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/17/1865 at New Orleans, LA. Joseph T. Miller also of Ioka enlisted as a 26-year old private the same day as his brother-in-law, mustering into Co. F, Iowa 33rd as well. Miller died 8/8/1863 of wounds received the month before at Helena, Arkansas.