An archive of material related to the Civil War Battle of Ft. Donelson and the 30th Illinois Infantry. Includes a CDV of General John Floyd published by E. Anthony from a Brady photographic negative, 4" x 2-3/8"), a shadowbox with three mother of pearl buttons and handwritten note "Buttons taken from Gen. Floyd's trunk Fort Donelson. This fort was surrendered Feb. 16 1862 to the Federal Army under Gen. U. S. Grant after three days desperate resistance. 15 thousand prisoners including Gen. Buckner were captured and an immense quantity of war material. Generals Floyd and Pillow escaped with a portion of the garrison. Presented by Wm. R. P. Crocker". Crocker, of Hutsonville IL, enlisted on Oct. 5 1861 as a private and mustered into D Co., Illinois 30th Infantry. He deserted on Sept. 10, 1863. The 30th Illinois fought at the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, where Crocker presumably obtained these buttons. Buttons measure 1-7/8" diameter. Also included are four Civil War letters from Lt. David W. Poak of the 30th Illinois. 1st letter written Jan. 9 1862 describes preparations for battle: "The preparations being made are more extensive than any that have been made heretofore. The wagons are all in readiness this morning and I think some grand forward movement is at hand. But what point we are destined is a profound secret." 2nd letter Feb. 28, 1862 (faded) to his sister describing conditions post-battle, "our boys are gathering up and taking an inventory of the goods of the deceased soldiers…". 3rd letter written from on board the Transport Steamer Planet, April 23rd 1862 describing journey towards Pittsburg Landing, including their farewell from Fort Donelson and warm reception from the people of Dover, and description of Paducah KY as "the nicest place I have seen since I have ben soldiering." 4th letter (faded) written from Camp in the Field May 30, 1862: "We have been out reconoitering the last two days. Gen. Sherman was advancing his lines and we were out on his right to keep them from outflanking him… our pickets skirmished back almost to us several times and we could see the enemy in force before us but when they would come within range we would open out a battery on them which would send them howling back again… News came in that Corinth was evacuated. We were ordered to quit work immediately and are now under orders to be ready to march in a moments warning." Poak would go on to fight at Corinth, Vicksburg, and Atlanta, where he was awarded a 17th corps Medal of Honor for gallantry. Lot also includes a printed photograph of Admiral Andrew Foote in gutta-percha union case (2" x 1-3/4"). Provenance: Private Middle Tennessee collection. Condition: CDV with some abrasions in upper left corner, light small stains and worn corners. Letters with light toning and 2 with moderate fading,