United States. Army--Military life

This collection of thirteen sketches (graphite, and black ink and wash on paper) has been digitized from a small sketchbook in the New-York Historical Society's Museum. Most of these Civil War-era sketches were done by an artist identified only as 'J.H.W.', with other sketches inscribed 'Bart del.' Although there are other subjects in the sketchbook, including New York City street scenes and depictions of various types of people, only those sketches depicting New York during the Civil War at the time of the Draft Riots are included in the digital collection.

Salvator Cillis (September 5, 1892-February 17, 1966) was born in Potenza, Italy and immigrated to New York with his family in 1901. He worked as a sign painter at The Levy Company before being drafted for service in World War I attached to the 77th Division, 306th Infantry. This collection is composed of illustrated letters, postcards and envelopes produced by Cillis during this period (1917-1919).

The William Oland Bourne collection in the New-York Historical Society's Manuscripts Department includes correspondence, papers, broadsides, and unpublished manuscripts related to his work as a social reformer, editor and author in New York City during the 1850s and 60s. Through his publication, The Soldier's Friend, he sought to aid disabled soldiers by offering prizes to those who had lost their right arms in combat during the American Civil War and had learned to write with their left hands.

This is the first edition of the "Prison Times." The handwritten newspaper includes original articles, advertisements, announcements, barracks directory, Christian Association directory, notices of clubs, etc., by prisoners at the Fort Delaware Federal prison camp on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. The paper's editors and proprietors included William H. Bennett, Aborn Harris, John W. Hibbs, and George S. Thomas.