This collection includes original Civil War letters written by Daniel L. Sterling while he was stationed in South Carolina, Chattanooga, Washington DC, Louisville and Nashville, he also marched with Sherman. Sterling, as an older soldier, however, does not report of the battlefront, but rather of cities, architecture, flowers, crops and attitudes within the camps and his general duties. His letters date between January 30, 1864 and September 18, 1865, with a gap occurring between September 18, 1864 and January 23, 1865. These letters compose the bulk of the collection.

There is one non-Civil War letter written by Daniel L. Sterling to his grandson in October of 1911.

Other family correspondence is between Wellington D. Sterling and Milton J. Sterling in 1887, and between Emily Merriman and A. Wellington Sterling in 1942. There are certificates and documents for A. Wellington Sterling (including his food stamps and Medi-cal identification number), Milton J. Sterling, Belle B. Sterling, Warren W. Sterling and Ethel L. Sterling.

Other correspondence records problems of Warren W. Sterling’s tenants, letters from friends of A. Wellington Sterling, and a letter for A. Wellington Sterling’s neighbor, Renee McElroy from State Senator Joseph M. Kennick.

Graphics include two greeting sketches. An autograph book and poem for A. Wellington Sterling are also included.

This collection spans from 1864-1972. The two main periods are from January 30, 1864 to September 18, 1865, and December 11, 1970 to November 13, 1972.

All Civil War letters are transcribed, numbered and photocopied.