Scope and Content of Collection
The Osburn Family papers consist of thirteen letters which span the period from 1857 to 1864, although most letters were produced in 1863 and 1864. All the letters but one were written to Ginnie Osburn; her correspondents were her brother, Lewis, and her friends, Rachael McClure and Matt. The remaining letter is from Ginnie's brother James to their mother. Major topics within the correspondence include life as a Union soldier during the Civil War, family concerns, illness, financial worries, travel on the frontier, business prospects, and local news.