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Civil War Soldier's Archive by Martin Luther Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry.... (Total: 2 Items)
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Description
Civil War Soldier's Archive by Martin Luther Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry. An extensive archive documenting the Civil War service of Martin Luther Moore, Quartermaster of the 94th Illinois Infantry, together with the home-front correspondence of his wife Joanna and their young daughter Laura. The archive comprises 90 letters from Moore, 111 letters from Joanna, and 3 letters from Laura, spanning August 1862 to July 1865, from Moore's enlistment through his final discharge. The archive also includes a large albumen photograph (9 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches, mounted to a board to an overall size of 11 x 9 inches) depicting Moore later in life with his wife, children, and granddaughter.A devout Christian and committed temperance advocate, Moore writes with unusual candor and moral conviction on military life, major campaigns, politics, slavery, elections, and postwar occupation duty, including sustained commentary on the Siege of Vicksburg, the capture of Mobile, Confederate resistance in Texas, the French-backed regime of Maximilian I in Mexico, and Reconstruction-era enforcement in Galveston, the last Confederate stronghold to yield.
Moore volunteered for service in August 1862, training with the 94th Illinois at Benton Barracks, Missouri. After months of preparation, the regiment marched to Arkansas in December to assist Union forces at the Battle of Prairie Grove, before returning to Missouri for garrison duty. In June 1863, the 94th was ordered south to join General Grant's army at Vicksburg, placing Moore at the center of one of the war's decisive campaigns.
Writing on June 8, 1863, as the regiment traveled downriver aboard the Steamer Minnehaha, Moore describes the tense journey through enemy territory and the anticipation surrounding the siege:
"We are now down the Mississippi below the Mo line but how far it is to Memphis cannot ascertain...We are now passing through our enemy's country and when the Boys see a man on shore they call to him to take off his hat and if he does not do it instantly a dozen guns are pointed at him and off comes the old hat every time, which is great sport for the boys for they have no loads in their guns...You doubtless have late news from Vicksburg but we have not tho what we do hear is encouraging a great many troops are coming into this department...I hope they won't wait for us if they have a good chance to occupy the place..."
Arriving at Vicksburg on June 10, Moore soon found himself amid constant skirmishing and artillery fire. In a letter dated June 16, he records the regiment's role on the Union left flank and reflects on the war's larger purpose:
"Today our regt have been actively engaged and have driven the Rebs into their Fortifications and we are now placing Siege guns upon our line (which is the left of Genl Grants army) with which I think we may reduce their fortifications, at least the work goes Bravely on with both artillery and musketry. Our Regt is engaged today tho, not in a general engagement skirmishing & Picket duty. The rebels fire on our pickets from Rifle pitts the Roar of artillery is almost constantly heard ever since we landed...From what I have seen of the workings of the peculiar institution, 'away down in Dixie' I am more & more convinced that this war is the instrument in God's hand to rid the nation of the sin of slavery..."
Nine days later, he writes again on the progress of the siege, with the end nearly in sight: "The work of taking Vicksburg is being accomplished by Degrees...I think they have but a small force there and supplies for 2 or 3 months yet, and when it is taken we will find that they have humbug'd us with their loud cry of strength...Our side is advancing almost daily driving them from their Rifle Pits taking some prisoners &c..."
Fortunately, Moore would not have to wait another two or three months to see the city fall; Vicksburg was finally captured on July 4, 1863, bringing an end to the deadly siege. Following that victory, the 94th Illinois remained on duty in Mississippi and Louisiana through September. They were then transferred in October 1863 to the Rio Grande region of Texas, where Moore remained until July 1864, stationed primarily at Brownsville. There, his correspondence records the tense standoff between Union forces and Confederate cavalry under John Salmon "Rip" Ford, as well as the volatile situation across the border in Matamoros, Mexico, which served as a key outlet for Confederate cotton. Moore's Texas correspondence is offered separately in this auction as lot 47132.
In August 1864, the regiment moved east again, taking part in operations against Mobile, Alabama. Writing from Mobile Point on August 27, Moore reported:
"The Brigade are now on the Gulf Beach opposite the landing on the Bay...the other Brigade have been sent towards Mobile, on the other side of the Bay. I hope they may have great success in taking the City. I believe there will be but little opposition to our forces now, seeing we have taken their strongest forts in which they had so much confidence...Our fleet captured a Blockade Runner yesterday said to be a very nice Iron Clad Steamer..."
As the year wore on and Union control in the Deep South strengthened, Moore increasingly reflected on the moral meaning of the war. In a letter dated October 10, he returned to the subject of slavery, expressing his belief that the conflict was nearing its end and that emancipation was its ultimate purpose:
"I hope you can rejoice with me in the enjoyment of good health; how thankful should we be for health and strength in time of our country's trial. May God enable us to use it aright for his Glory; and the Country's good, may we not believe that our Country is soon to be Redeemed from the Curse of this Gigantic Rebellion, with the entire removal of the Cause (the institution of Slavery), by which I am much encouraged; the prospects look favorable in all directions at present."
The 94th Illinois remained in the Mobile area through the spring of 1865. Although Lee surrendered on April 9, word of the war's end reached Moore slowly. Writing on May 8, he announces the news to his wife:
"It will no doubt Gratify you my dear wife to hear that the war is over. But you may think it cool in me to commence my letter in this way, as you are so much nearer the headquarters of the war department and would have almost forgotten it before it could reach this distant point. But let me tell you the yankees are running the machine now...and though this has been my happiness since last Saturday I cannot now restrain the tears of joy as I pen these lines to the dear ones from whom I have been so long absent."
Moore's service, however, was not yet over. Galveston, Texas remained a Confederate holdout, isolated from the Union's presence in the rest of the country. The 94th Illinois was sent South as law enforcement, particularly to ensure the emancipation of slaves there. Writing shortly after his arrival in Galveston, on June 30, 1865, Moore reports on the state of the island:
"The Citizens of this City are rapidly returning and fixing up their dilapidated Residences which in many instances look as if they had been standing open for years. They are generally, extremely 'anti' negro, I should think before the war, here, the negro was subjected to a low position for animals in a civilized community. It is a great calamity to Texas that their army never got a genuine sound thrashing by the Union troops. It seems necessary for troops to be present in force in this country to secure a proper degree of respect to Law. I think however, when the Col[ore]d troops are distributed though this state, they can bring them to it and let the white troops go to better business."
By July 1865, Moore was eager to return home. His final letter, beginning July 19, 1865, finds him exhausted after a strenuous three years in service to the United States:
"For the last 24 hours I have been ready to embark for the North but no transportation can be had...I very much desire a calm sea for our last Voyage across the Gulf; we were mustered for discharge on Monday 17th from which time we are allowed 18 days to get to our rendezvous (Springfield) and receive our final muster and discharge, after which all pay and allowances cease and if they would send us there in half the time they could have my share of the pay..."
He continues on the same sheet in pencil on July 31: "My dearest, we are now nearing the end of our trip by River Steamer...When I get to Springfield will telegraph to you if I do not find you there...I am as ever your own husband, M.L. Moore."
Together with 111 letters written by his wife, Joanna, from their home in Bloomington, Illinois, and three letters from their young daughter, Laura. Joanna's letters provide a detailed record of life on the home front, including political developments, wartime conditions in the North, and the daily challenges of raising two young children alone. She followed the course of the war closely and relayed news whenever possible, often serving as Moore's primary link to events beyond his remote postings.
Also included is a document from the Quartermaster General's Office, dated December 22, 1865, confirming that Moore's accounts for January through March 1864 had been examined and forwarded to the Treasury for settlement.
Together, this archive captures the complete arc of a Union officer's service, from active campaigning to postwar occupation, while pairing that experience with a rich record of civilian life and political awareness on the Northern home front.
Condition: Generally good, with expected toning, mailing folds, and minor wear. A few letters more heavily worn, with separations, chips, staining, and occasional loss present. Albumen somewhat toned with light soiling to the board mount; retains good contrast.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2026
26th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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25% of the successful bid per lot.
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