The Samuel DeForest Woodford Collection, available at the Center for Western Studies, is comprised primarily of letters written by Samuel DeForest Woodford during the American Civil War. Most letters address Mary, his wife, and pan from 1861 to 1865, when he was mustered out of the army. Woodford, a farmer from Salamanca, Cattarangus County, New York, served for almost the entire Civil War as a member of Company I, 154th Regiment, New York State Volunteers. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 and confined in Libby Prison, Belle Isle on the James River at Richmond. A five page journal is included which was kept by Woodford describing his escape from the prison in October 1863. Also included in the collection are Samuel's muster papers, a token album, the obituaries of Mary and Samuel, and their photographs.