The major correspondents are Thomas Rescum Sterns, Edward Van Deusen, Albert Henry Sterns, Lavinia C. Van Deusen Sterns Mathews, Lottie Gilmore Sterns, and Fred B. Carver.

Thomas Rescum Sterns (1839 -- 1863) joined the army in 1862, serving as a corporal in company F, Regiment 29, Wisconsin Volunteers. He died while returning home on the transport Minnehaha. He was buried in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lavinia C. Van Deusen Sterns Mathews (1840 -- 1921) and Thomas Rescum Sterns were married April 25, 1960. They had one son, Albert Henry (1861 -- 1921). Most of his career was spent working on various railroads, but he also participated in the Alaskan gold rush in the 1890's. Albert Sterns was married (Lottie Gilmore) and had two children, Hubert Gilmore (1889 -- 1946) and Hazel Lavinia (1891?-??). Lavinia Sterns was remarried, April 7, 1874 to Benjamin Franklin Mathews (1829 -- 1916). They had two children, Alta E. (1878 -- 1961) and Hubert E. (1880 -- 1885). The donor of this collection, Virginia Hoffman Edwards, is the daughter of Alta Mathews.

Edward Van Deusen (1845 -- 1864) was the brother of Lavinia Sterns Mathews. He served in Company A, Regiment 37, Wisconsin Volunteers. Van Deusen died in battle at Petersburg, Virginia on July 30, 1864.

Fred B. Carver was a friend of Alta E. Mathews Hoffman. He served with Company G, Regiment 51, Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Carver died on his way to the Philippine Islands in 1898.