Advanced Search

[Collection of John D. O'Connell, 14th regiment, US army, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .58.03]

Letters cover 1861-63, and are primarily written to Mary H. Perkins. Collection includes 57 letters, 4 color printed cards, and 1 color print portrait.

GLC02830

to Miss Mary

He has grown more and more interested in her and he wonders if she is interested in him too.

GLC02830.03

to Miss Mary

He prefers to go on duty with the command. He was in New York recently but was unable to write her from there. His sister is well and he did not see his mother though he passed by her house. He sent Mary a present from New York.

GLC02830.06

to Miss Mary

He bought some music for the piano and sent it to her. The men in his regiment are all good people. They don't know where they will go for the winter because there are not sufficient accomodations for them. Written at Fort Trumbull

GLC02830.09

to Miss Mary

It's been raining a lot. He plans to send her the Philadelphia paper. Very few people are seen cultivating the soil now. Written at Fort Trumbull

GLC02830.12

to Miss Mary

He finally got a letter from her and is much relieved. He hadn't known what to think. He says I love you for the first time. They are camped near Perrysville where there is a strong wind breaking up the tent.

GLC02830.15

to Miss Mary

Mary wishes he could attend parties with her but he warns her it could be many months or even years. He is plagued by all his memories of having spent time with her. He wonders if their engagement will ever be consummated.

GLC02830.18

to Miss Mary

He mention his friend Captain Brown and says the country is becoming like its neighbors to the East. He would be sorry if we got into trouble with Great Britain.

GLC02830.21

to Miss Mary

He has great respect and admiration for her. Now that admiration has doubled and he considers her one of his best friends. Includes separate note asking her to go with him to the Marshalls.

GLC02830.01

to Miss Mary

He has been called away and has to leave unexpectedly. He will return shortly and in the meantime asks for her picture. Includes separate note saying he has enclosed something he got for her in Providence.

GLC02830.04

to Miss Mary

He has not heard from her but is choosing to believe this is because of irregularity in the mail rather than disinterest. If it is disinterest, all she has to do is tell him and he will stop writing. He writes that the officers are very good. Written...

GLC02830.07

to Miss Mary

He asked the bandmaster to pick out some pieces of music for her. He just can't stand to be separated from her. New London is described as a pretty place. Written at Fort Trumbull

GLC02830.10

to Miss Mary

The officer of his regiment got married. They didn't wait until after the war because she wanted ro be able to take care of him if he were wounded.

GLC02830.13

to Miss Mary

He has just heard from McClellan who says there is a strong possibility they will be moving. He feels sorry for poor Bond, a former member of his regiment.

GLC02830.16

to Miss Mary

He saw in the President's message that he recommends an increase in the corps of cadets. This is favored by Congress and an act has been proposed.

GLC02830.19

to Miss Mary

He is happy she gave him a locket with her picture. He assures her that she is the only person in St. Louis he talks to.

GLC02830.22

to Miss Mary

He asks if she and Rosa would like to go a carriage ride with him to the Belle Fontain Cemetary.

GLC02830.02

to Miss Mary

He assures her that his feelings for her are pure. Meanwhile, he has been mustered into service. He talks about different captains. He does not know how long he will be there but feels it will be a while.

GLC02830.05

to Miss Mary

He is glad to have finally received a letter from her. The officers are currently teaching the young ones their military duties. He received a letter from his brother recently. He was in New York a couple of days ago but he didn't have time to see...

GLC02830.08

to Miss Mary

He is annoyed that she doesn't seem to have a lot of time to write to him. Meanwhile, he is preparing to go to the South. They intend to go to Perrysville, MD. He received a letter from his brother. He wants to know why she doesn't like Dr. D...

GLC02830.11

to Miss Mary

He doesn't undertstand her silence. If she ceases to love him he will stop writing to her. He wrote to her mother the other day.

GLC02830.14

to Miss Mary

GLC02830.17

to Miss Mary

Their regiment is considered to be one of the best. No one knows whether they will stay where they are. He says she is the only person in Saint Louis he corresponds with. He asks what time she wishes the engagement to be consummated.

GLC02830.20

to Miss Mary

He says he will soon have fun. He hopes everyone is well. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.35

to My Dear Gal (Mary)

He says one day she will wake up and read the paper and find out where they are and what they they are doing. He has only had two letters since being in the field. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.38