The bulk of Lyman Gardner's collection consists of a series of letters to his parents in Ohio, including two letters to his brother and sister. The collection also contains a few brief articles announcing births, deaths, and marriages in the Gardner family. A ledger of his personal accounts and of his lumber business can be found in this collection as well.
Gardner's letters center around food, clothing, and money. He does not possess much understanding of why he is participating in the war. He views his service as a dutiful obligation, though he neither explains why he is dedicated to the Union, nor what he believes the Union cause to be. Gardner's letters reveal a strong religious background.
Gardner's letters serve as an account for his action in the Atlanta Campaign, and his regiment's assignments in Chattanooga, Tenn., Huntsville, Ala., Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans, La., and Irwin, Tex. He goes into some detail of his skirmishes, but the majority of his letters are filled with requests for supplies and money. Overall, Gardner seems to enjoy his involvement in the army and does not express a particularly strong desire to return from it.
Gardner, Lyman, 1845-1912
Rank: Corporal (January 1, 1865); Sergeant (February 19, 1865)
Regiment: 26th Ohio Infantry Regiment (1861-1865)
Service: 1864 February 27-1865 October 21
Lyman Gardner was born on June 21, 1845 to Jonathan T. and Delia Gardner in Liberty, Delaware County, Ohio. In 1864, he enlisted in Company C of the 26th Ohio Infantry Regiment. After the Civil War ended, he attended school and taught for three terms. He married Lillian Hall (b. 1853) on August 10, 1873 and by 1878, they had 3 children: Royal G., Stella, and Franklin. Mr. Gardner worked in the lumber industry until his family moved to Worthington in 1892. He was instrumental in establishing the Worthington Savings Bank and was its president until his death on June 23, 1912.
