Letters from John W. Killinger to Eli Slifer
![Letters from John W. Killinger to Eli Slifer Letters from John W. Killinger to Eli Slifer](/sites/default/files/styles/documents_browse/public/image_document/mc2003-04_1861-04-20_pg01.jpg?itok=8vF12Vlx)
John W. Killinger writes eleven letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he recommends Doctor John H.
John W. Killinger writes eleven letters to Eli Slifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth during the Civil War, in which he recommends Doctor John H.
John W. Killinger writes four letters to Eli Slifer discussing candidates for local elections as well as other political matters.
This collection consists of folders in 13 manuscript boxes relating to correspondence and papers of Eli Slifer (1818-1888), an active figure in Pennsylvania politics and the Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin, 1861-1867. Most of the letters were written during the Civil War and represent the pressures of local politicians, office seekers, and military men upon the Governor's office. There is much material on the enlistment and acceptance of military companies dated 1861 (e.g. Wiliam Foote of the "Lycoming Mountain Ears"), on the operation of the draft law, 1862-1864, on the soldier's vote, election of 1864, and on military surgeons and hospitals. The collection contains 47 letters and telegrams from Curtin, 1852-1866, and 61 from Col. Alexander Kelly McClure, 1851-1866. The political power of Simon and William Cameron is reflected. The political influence of the German and English press appears in letters of Israel Gutelius and his family. Other subjects discussed include banking, transportation, coal, iron, oil industries, military contracts, and the invasion of Pennsylvania.
There is a series of appendices that arranges the correspondence by Civil War Units, Military Affairs, Political Affairs, Business Affairs, and Miscellaneous Affairs.