Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of the account book of Morgan Bond, a Civil War sutler with the 94th Illinois Infantry. Bond traveled with the regiment selling goods to soldiers.
The 94th Illinois Infantry was mustered into service at McClean, Illinois, in August 1862, and campaigned throughout the South. Morgan Bond, a civilian merchant known as a "sutler," sold goods and supplies to soldiers in the regiment and kept an account book of his sales. Bond followed the 94th Illinois Infantry as it campaigned in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, selling goods to soldiers throughout their duty. Sutlers were typically disliked because they were the only merchant available to soldiers and could overcharge for their goods.
This collection contains one account book of Morgan Bond, a sutler with the 94th Illinois Infantry. The book spans 77 pages and about 450 sales. Entries include the soldier's first initial and last name, item sold, and price. Popular items sold include tobacco, sardines, crackers, raisins, peaches, and G-nuts (either ginger snaps or peanuts). Other purchases include bread, herring, oysters, sugar lemon (lemon drops), thread, sandpaper, oil, matches, soap, clothing, and ink. Many transactions are written with slashes, indicating that most items were possibly sold on credit.
The Library purchased this collection in 2020 with support from Library Friends.
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