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Hans Westerlund papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 379

Scope and Contents

The Hans Westerlund papers contain correspondence, genealogical information, and photographs. Westerlund’s correspondence documents the 43rd Infantry’s movement from Benton Barracks, Missouri, through Pittsburg Landing, Jackson, and Bolivar, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas. The vast majority of the letters are addressed to Westerlund’s brother, Peter Westerlund. Letters are written in Swedish, but some letters have third-party English annotations describing their content or photocopies of typed or handwritten English translations. Topics include battles and developments in the Civil War, bad food at camp, money, marriage, Westerlund’s objections to slavery, and his devotion to God.

In addition to the correspondence, the collection contains a copy of the Genealogy of the Descendants of Hans Andreus Westerlund, 1960, and an undated newspaper clipping containing Peter Westerlund’s obituary. Also included are two unidentified tintypes, circa 1860s, with images of a man in a United States Army uniform (presumably Westerlund) and a teenage boy posing beside a chair (possibly Westerlund or one of his brothers).

Dates

  • Creation: 1861-1865, 1960 and undated

Creator

Language of Materials

Swedish, English.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Hans Westerlund was born 4 March 1842 in Hassela, Nordanstig Municipality, Gävleborg County, Sweden. His parents were Erick Abram Westerlund (1801-1869) and Elisabeth Jonsdotter Westerlund (1806-1850). Hans was a devout Evangelical Lutheran and a Civil War soldier who served in Company C of the 43rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (also known as the “Koerner Regiment”) for the United States Army. During his time as a soldier, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant for bravery. He survived the war and lived on a farm near Woodhull, Illinois, with his wife, Mary Edmund Westerlund, and their three daughters until his death on 27 January 1874, at 31 years old, from an illness contracted in the army.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (/ 1 box)

Abstract

Hans Westerlund (1842-1874) was a devout Evangelical Lutheran and a Civil War soldier who served in Company C of the 43rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (also known as the “Koerner Regiment”) for the United States Army. The Hans Westerlund papers contain correspondence, genealogical information, and photographs. Westerlund’s correspondence documents the 43rd Infantry’s movement from Benton Barracks, Missouri, through Pittsburg Landing, Jackson, and Bolivar, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Immediate source of acquisition unknown.

Existence and Location of Originals

Original translations presumably retained by donor.

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection has been digitized and made accessible in Digital Special Collections at the following link: http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/aug_hans

Digitized content may also be accessed by clicking the Link to Record in the Instances field below.

Processing Information

Processed by Samantha Crisp, June 2014.

Title
Hans Westerlund papers, 1861-1865, 1960 and undated.
Status
Completed
Author
Samantha Crisp
Date
August 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States