Description
Sixty-one letters chronicle the life of Harley Wayne from the time he left his family home south of Cooperstown, New York, September 3, 1843, to his death on the Shiloh battlefield April 6, 1862. Letters written to Harley by family members, Otsego Academy friends, and business associates record his growth from a young man to a respected local leader. Harley, who served as the head clerk in the Illinois House of Representatives during the 1861 session, wrote his wife, "There is tremendous excitement all the time about our national politics and every body prophecies war? I am extremely afraid that blood will have to be shed before the people can be brought to their senses."Late in April 1861, Harley at age 38 and a "leading spirit" in organizing a military company in McHenry County, Illinois, enlisted in the 15th Illinois Volunteer Regiment and was elected Captain of Company D. Twenty letters written by Harley chronicle his war experiences as the 15th Illinois traversed Missouri, arrived an hour after Ft. Donelson surrendered and noted that he was located about a half mile from his brother John at a "Camp near Pittsburg, Apr 4 1862." According to the company historian, Harley died about 10 a.m. on the first day of the Shiloh battle.
