Timeline: Henry Clay Russell

Jun 29, 1861

First Letter

H C Russell's First Letter
Henery Clay Russell writes his first letter to his sister about him scouting and tells her where to send her letters.

Period: Jun 29, 1861 to Nov 30, 1865

Henry Clay Russell's Letters

Nov 3, 1861

Camp Setup

H C Russell moved camp from Bird Point to Benton St. Louis and endured sickley conditions and witessed many deaths. They will not stay ther for more than a month.

Nov 23, 1862

Henry Clay Russell In Hospital On Account of His Hand

Civil War Medicine
Henry Clay Russell was sent to the hospital because of an injury on his hand.

Mar 23, 1864

Injured While Scouting

Scouting in the Civil War
H C Russell was injured again while scouting on the 9th of March. He was sent to the hospital and wrote to his sister.

Apr 6, 1865

Dealing With a Theif

Theif Punishments
H C Russell talks about how he had to deal with a lady that was stealing goods. She stole extra clothes and was put in the driving block for a day but then was released. The picture to the right was a type of punishment called "Barrel Shirt Punishment" which was a short but humiliating punishment for minor crimes and offences.

Sep 7, 1865

Family Events

H C Russell tells his sister that he couldnt make it home for a visit because of pressing buissness. Henry Also talks about get married to a girl named Eliza and about how his older sister is getting married.

Sep 14, 1865

Marraige Gone Bad

H C Russell can't be married to Eliza because he was told that if he did not return home and see Eliza he could not get married. He wasnt able to return home so they weren't married.

Oct 12, 1865

H C Russell Gets Sick

Medicines in Camp
Henry Clay Russell gets sick in Miss. by riding through a creek and getting sick. He also writes to his sister about his marriage to a woman named Mary Jane Robinson McKinnie.