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[Small carved leaf]

Found in envelope of GLC03523.32.45. Possibly carved out of bone.

GLC03523.32.45.01

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that there is no reason why he should not share his letters from her with the other boys. Comments that the information given is sure to leak out somehow anyway and that it is only fair that he shares his letters because the men...

GLC03523.32.20

to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that they will be spending the winter in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Complains about not receiving letters from people back home. Writes that he is afraid that he might have offended a friend named Mill in his last letter because she...

GLC03523.32.24

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports that his new boots and stockings fit perfectly. Discusses how long a man named Knap will be able to stick it out in the services. Believes that Knap will have a hard time getting out of the service once he...

GLC03523.32.27

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Informs her that it rained and snowed on the last day of the year and that it has been cold. Describes having a "first rate" oyster dinner for Christmas. Notes that everything has been first rate since they have...

GLC03523.32.30

Collection of Sumner Sayles, H company, 95th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .01-.45]

Most of the letters are written by Sumner Sayles to his family. The majority are written to his sisters with a few addressed to and from other family members and friends. Letters describe camp life, marching experiences, and a few skirmishes and...

GLC03523.32

to his cousin

Reports that he has not heard from Sumner (likely his cousin Sumner Sayles) since he was in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Notes that his regiment received orders to go on a scout this Saturday. Comments that scouting is the fun part about soldiering....

GLC03523.32.33

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Describes how they were supposed to go to Cincinnati, Ohio but just as they loaded the train car they received orders to stay put because their destination had changed. Discusses how the men behaved the night before they were...

GLC03523.32.03

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister. Mentions that the men are feeling rowdy for this Fourth of July. Comments that they want to have a good time while they have a chance to. Discusses how bad he felt when heard about Oney's (possible family friend) wife killing...

GLC03523.32.36

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Informs her that he received the stamps that she sent him. Mentions seeing her husband's cousin and that he sends his best. Reports that they are preparing for another expedition. Writes that he and the boys in...

GLC03523.32.39

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he was happy to hear that people are still patriotic. Comments he was happy to hear their late friend Spencer's body was returned home to his family. Mentions how he would like to see the Havens family begin teaching at a...

GLC03523.32.09

to Isora Skinkle

Writes of a lady named Emma getting married. Discusses the importance of always remaining holy. Writes, "do not let your earthly lover draw your heart from the heavenly." Wishes her and her new family well. The letter has a watermark on the top...

GLC03523.32.42

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from camp Fort Hill, two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Discusses charging on the enemy last Tuesday. Describes having to charge over a large hill and fallen timber and brush where they then laid low and fired on the enemy...

GLC03523.32.12

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to her cousin. Informs her that they now have another baby. Reports on the rest of the family and friends. Request that she keeps her informed about all the happenings in Richmond, Illinois. City is listed as Otsego, but no state is noted...

GLC03523.32.45

to Isora Sayles

Requests that his sister tell their father to do what he thinks is best with the money that he sent home. Writes that he should be able to send more money after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Speaks of a friend being well and as fat as a pig....

GLC03523.32.15

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Describes the beauty of Natchez, Mississippi. Notes that it is situated on a high bluff and that it is the main part of the town. Comments, "I thought that lake Providence louisanna [sic] was the gratest place for white...

GLC03523.32.18

to Isora Skinkle

Thanks his sister for the package that she sent him. Inquires if she likes her new mother-in-law. Informs her that he will not be able to get a furlough this year and that he prefers it that way. Writes that he would prefer to wait until he can...

GLC03523.32.22

to Isora Skinkle

Reports that a man named Eugene Thomas, along with the rest of the men, might have been taken prisoner while traveling home on a furlough. Writes that he has also heard the story is not true. Informs his sister that he sent both her and his mother...

GLC03523.32.25

to William P. Sayles

Writes to his father from camp. Informs him that he sent ten dollars home. Complains about how long it has been since he has received any letters from the Silases family. Writes that a man named Knapp is a fool for trying to recruit all the...

GLC03523.32.28

to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he is no longer with his company, that he has been detached to guard ordnance stores. Writes that he prefers it over staying with the company. Comments that he is not surprised that it takes two stoves to keep her and her...

GLC03523.32.31

to Isora Sayles

Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Writes about the Prince of Wales, Edward Albert, passing through the area. Comments that they had special train cars (the royal train) that were done up in the most beautiful style. Describes the train...

GLC03523.32.01

to his cousin

Reports that they just returned from a scout where they were looking for "old forest" (General Nathan Bedford Forrest). Comments that they were close but he ran like a "white rabbit." Describes following General Nathan Forrest for 80 miles down...

GLC03523.32.34

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the condition of a friend of theirs named Spencer. Writes that the last time he saw Spencer was back at the junction in the hospital and that he heard that he was really sick. Notes that a gentleman told him that Spencer...

GLC03523.32.04

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister. Inquires after the folks back home. Reports that his and another regiment might be put on provo duty. Comments that if they are put on provo duty they will be staying in place for a while. Speaks of friends and family.

GLC03523.32.37

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from a camp two miles outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Mentions having some hard marches since they have been there. Comments that they have marched some 200 miles. Thanks her or his father (he does not know which one) for...

GLC03523.32.07

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Mentions that he sent $50 home. Writes that they are building breastworks in case General John Hood attacks them. Comments that the general will receive a warm reception if he attacks for they have a large force of...

GLC03523.32.40

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he sent 30 dollars by express to a man named Mr. Wells. Reports that there were 560 rebels who were marched into their camp the other night and that another 6000 to 8000 were taken in the same place. Writes that they are...

GLC03523.32.10

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from a camp two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they have stormed the enemy's works twice, once on the 19th of May and the other on the 22nd of May. Writes that his company did not lose any men in the last...

GLC03523.32.13

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Discusses how a man named Erving A. Porter died. Writes that Erving got up at 3:00 am as usual to get a drink and then went back to bed and never woke up again. His bunk mate found him lying still in the morning with his hand...

GLC03523.32.16

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Comments on how happy he and the boys were to learn of General John Pemberton's surrender. Discusses various people and news from back home. Mentions that he is on duty every other day.

GLC03523.32.19

to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that they might be heading up the river to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Writes that it has been raining for the last couple of days and the rivers are finally rising. Says that the rivers have been so low that several steamers have...

GLC03523.32.23

to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he will be sending some money. Reports that they do battalion drill everyday, dress parade afterwards, and that they have picket duty and camp guard duty. Writes about friends and family back home. Letter has an image and...

GLC03523.32.26

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments that she looked quite lean in her picture, but he has never been fatter. Reports that the lieutenant bet five dollars that the war will be over soon and that they will be able to go home by June and that...

GLC03523.32.29

to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he will not be coming home on a furlough. Inquires on how her Sabbath school picnic went in Washington. Writes that there was an expedition in Louisiana to seek out the rebels. Reports that his brigade did not go on the...

GLC03523.32.21

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his cousin. Informs her that his regiment is on picket duty. Reports that his colonel is the acting Brigade General and believes that if he tries hard enough, he will receive a star. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner...

GLC03523.32.32

to Isora Sayles

Writes to her friend about how much she misses her. Wishes for her not to move away in case they may return. Comments how she has not been to church but once and how she longs to go. Notes that she has spent the last week in bed and that she needs...

GLC03523.32.02

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister. Reports on the casualties they received during a recent battle. Discusses the various men that were either killed or wounded, including their colonel. Describes his colonel as being one of the best and that "some of the boys...

GLC03523.32.35

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he and the boys are well. Discusses promotions that have been given out in his company. Notes that two of their sergeants were promoted to captains in "Negro Companys." Comments on all the marriages, including hers, that...

GLC03523.32.05

to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Mentions a lady, Mill, from back home being sour and pities the man who marries her. Inquires after the farm. Wants to know if his father will have a hard time working the farm this year. Letter has an image and...

GLC03523.32.38

to Isora Sayles

Sends his best wishes to everyone back home. Comments that he has not been sick since he has been in "Dixie." Writes that he is sorry to hear how many people are sick and dying back home. Describes how he would like to see all the deserters caught...

GLC03523.32.08

to unknown

Writes to his brother. Informs him that he has married and expects many happy days. Discusses the farm and the upcoming spring work. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.41

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he will be marching out today towards Black River, Mississippi. Writes of a man named Nathan shooting himself in the hand, and says that his middle finger is now an inch back. Mentions various men in the army and reports on...

GLC03523.32.11

to Isora Skinkle

Informs her that he is working by the month earning $18 a month for eight months. Reports that they are having fine weather and that the crops are looking well. City is listed as Otsego, but no state is noted. Could be Minnesota or Michigan.

GLC03523.32.44

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from the field. Reports that he has been in two fights so far and has not been injured yet. Discusses her upcoming wedding and how he would like to be there. Writes about there being very few girls and says that he has not...

GLC03523.32.14

to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Reports that they entered Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th. Describes conquering and entering Vicksburg, Mississippi as being the most glorious fourth he ever had. Reports that 30 to 40 thousand men surrendered and were...

GLC03523.32.17

to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the men in camp. Writes of one man who is really sick in the hospital and of another who had "yelow janders" [yellow jaundice?]. Comments that several of the boys have had it. Describes his camp as being low and flat and...

GLC03523.32.06

to Isora Skinkle

Informs her of Emma's wedding. Discusses the wedding and all the festivities around the wedding. Describes her ordeal with typhoid fever. Writes that she was bed ridden for the first three years and so sick that every day everyone expected her to...

GLC03523.32.43