Mary Louise Pearre Hamilton Papers

The Mary Louise Pearre Hamilton Papers consist of typescripts of her diary, 1863-64, and of letters written to her by her fiance, John Hall Hamilton, 1861-63. Their son, Joshua Pearre Hamilton, transcribed the diary and letters sometime in the early 20th century and added commentary to the diary entries. There is also a family history by J.P. Hamilton, a brief second-hand account of John Hall Hamilton's experience as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War, a photocopy of a handwritten family lineage and a typescript of a military report.

The diary entries contain Mary's comments on life in Middle Tennessee during the Civil War, and her analysis of political and military events. Pearre's comments reflect her support of the Confederacy. Hamilton's letters to Mary describe conditions in military camps, battles fought with the Federals, and terrain that Hamilton's unit marched through. His letters also express his feelings of love and affection for Mary or "Mollie," as he called her.