4-Piece Civil War Archive: POW, Entrenchments, Negroes Cooking, Furlough Pass

DAVID L. CORBIN enlisted as a private on August 7, 1862, and was mustered into B Co. Ohio 94^th Infantry. He was mustered out on May 24, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio.  A few months after his enlistment, Corbin was taken prisoner at Nolensville, TN (December 30, 1862). David would later become a physician.

The Ohio 94^th saw activity in a number of major battles, including, Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, Siege of Chattanooga, Resaca and Jonesboro.

This assemblage reflects some of his major experiences and include a nicely detailed letter to his brother, a list of pay and his clothing and a description of being captured and a statement of claim to the E.M. Institute seeking the title of Doctor of Medicine.

*3 ½ pp, 3 ¼ x 6 ¼, Camp Louisville, Sept. 22, 1862, Corbin writes to his brother A.G. Corbin. In pencil, toning, but very readable. “We are encamped almost in the suburbs of Louisville. Since coming to this vicinity, we have encamped in four different places...moving around like a herd of buffaloes...Our victuals are prepared by 3 Negroes, with the aid of a white man...Last Monday, we struck our tents after cooking 3 days’ rations and loaded up our baggage and camp utensils and prepared to leave. After waiting about 3 hours, we were disappointed and returned to our quarters and pitched our tents...waiting out any orders to march...I have been engaged on throwing up entrenchments and on picket guard. A battle is imminent here any day. A strong force surrounded the city. I’m not afraid. A fight is what I want...D Corbin”

*Volunteer Descriptive List and Account of Pay and Clothing of David Corbin, a Private of the 94^th Regt Ohio Volunteers. Prepared and certified at Murfreesboro, Tenn, April 17, 1863, the document notes that Corbin was “Taken prisoner and paroled at Nolansville, Tenn, Dec. 29^th, 1862, was in a skirmish at Salisbury, KY. In battle at Chaplin Hills, KY, Oct. 8, 1862.”  The document also notes supplies that were lost in action. 10 ¾ x 20 1/2 with soiling and wear, including splits repaired with archival tape.

*5 ½ x 8 Pass issued to Corbin on October 9, 1863, permitting his travel to Covington, Miami County, KY, signed by Brig. Gen. John S. Mason.

*Statement of Claim to John M. Scudder, M.D., Dean of Faculty, at E.M. Institute, presenting “my claim to the honor of the title of Doctor of Medicine.”  Corbin notes that he is 21-years-old, has been engaged in the study of medicine, has completed courses and seeks the coveted diploma.  The verso contains medical notes, in pencil and difficult to read.  This document has a split repaired with archival tape.

Letter is in pencil but easily read. The Volunteer Descriptive Account document has been repaired at folds, but contains good information about Corbin’s prisoner of war status. The pass is in very good condition. His statement of claim for a medical diploma has a fold that has been repaired. The claim itself is very easy to read. The verso contains medical notes, tightly written in pencil and is difficult to read.

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