John Hood papers, 1862-1904

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Summary

Creator:
Hood, John, Rev.
Abstract:
John Hood (1838-1905) served as lieutenant and later captain of Co. F 80th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, and later worked as a teacher and Presbyterian minister. His papers include material related to his military service, including a detailed, unpublished narrative of his 22 months as a prisoner of war at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia and other Confederate prisons in Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Athens, and Goldsboro. The collection also inlcudes a manuscript of a poem by George Gordon Byron DeWolfe about Robert Harmer, Quartermaster of the 80th Illinois, and a Memorial Day address by Hood in honor of John Alexander "Black Jack" Logan, Civil War general and U.S. Senator.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Collection ID:
RL.10016

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains manuscripts of several speeches John Hood gave about his experiences as a Union officer and prisoner of war during the Civil War, along with his enlistment and discharge papers, correspondence, a photograph, and materials related to his work as a pastor in the Presbyterian church in Illinois and Iowa. Of particular interest is the manuscript of a lenghty, unpublished speech Hood gave at Greene's Opera House in Rapid City, Iowa in 1884 that details his life as a prisoner of war. The narrative includes a detailed description of nearly all aspects of Hood's life at Libby Prison, ranging from how news, mail and packages were received from the North to the aftermath of a major prison break via a tunnel. Hood also discusses his experience being transferred to various places including Charleston, where he was used as human shield, and his escape, during which time he traveled more than 400 miles on foot. He notes how slaves helped him along, including giving him a Confederate uniform. Along with the manuscript are several newspaper articles reviewing Hood's speech.

The collection also includes several Memorial Day addresses by Hood, including one dedicated to John Alexander "Black Jack" Logan (1826-1886), a prominent Union Civil War general and U.S. Senator who founded Memorial Day in 1868. There is a manuscript of a poem written by George Gordon Byron DeWolfe (1835-1873) about Robert J. Harmer, Quartermaster of the 80th Illinois. Dubbed the Wandering Poet of New Hampshire, DeWolfe earned his living traveling from place to place, writing verses on people and events. According to the signature, the poem was "written in a few minutes in the National Hotel, Annapolis, Maryland."

All the documents in the collection were damaged at some point in a fire and have charred and frayed edges as a result.

Biographical / historical:

John Hood was born on a farm in southern Illinois on November 17, 1838. As a boy, his family moved to Sparta, Illinois, where he spent much of his adult life. He graduated from the State University of Indiana in June 1862 with the goal of pursuing a career in politics and law. Instead, he enslisted in the Union Army, being mustered in August 25, 1862 at Centralia, Illinois. He served as a first lieutenant in Co. F 80th Illinois infantry, and was promoted to captain on April 30, 1863. His regiment served as part of the ill-fated Streight's Brigade which resulted in its surrender to Gen. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest on May 3, 1863. Hood became a prisoner of war for the next 22 months, spending a year at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, as well as shorter periods of time in Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Athens, and Goldsboro. At one point he escaped, traveling more than 400 miles on foot before being recaptured in Tennessee near Federal lines. He was eventually freed as part of a prisoner exchange in North Carolina. He returned to Co. F 80th Illinois in October 20, 1864 and was honorably discharged on May 15, 1865. In November 1865, he entered a Reformed Presbyterian theological seminary in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. The following year, he became superintendent of the public schools of Sparta, Illinois. He received his license to preach in 1869 and completed his theological studies in 1870. From 1870 to 1878 he served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, leaving on June 30, 1878 to lead the Second Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was called to service at the Presbyterian Church of Galesburg, Illinois in 1889. He died on January 29, 1905 and is buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa beside his wife.

Acquisition information:
The John Hood Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in Jan. 2010
Processing information:

Processed by: Kat Stefko, December 2013

Accessions described in this finding aid: 2010-0080

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48-hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

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The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John Hood Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.