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to Mary "Mollie" McLean
11 September 1862
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
They are between the enemy and the river. Marching is very rough. The skin on his heels came off and he had to march the entire way in that condition.
GLC02161.056
to sister
16 October 1862
He does not like how she phrased his current activities. She said he was 'on the retreat' which sounds like he ran away. He mentions the recent raid in Pennsylvania. He doesn't agree with the general's decisions there.
GLC02161.063
28 October 1862
He is glad Will got a promotion. He will be leaving the 49th and he is glad about that. A soldier named Hancock will have been court marshaled for several offenses.
GLC02161.064
to father
10 November 1862
McClellan is gone now. He rather liked him and feels that the new commander, Burnside, may only do better because he is luckier. They may or may not have a heavy battle soon.
GLC02161.066
January 21, 1863
He thanks his father for the $100 loan. From now on his pay will be $129 per month, an amount they can all live comfortably together.
GLC02161.073
to mother
5 March 1863
He has enclosed his photograph. (Not included here.) Will and George gave Mrs. Forbes (the woman they boarded with) a silver urn.
GLC02161.075
5 August 1863
They marched from Philadephia to Reading. He heard from Mooney who heard from her. He thinks there might be trouble in this section of the country among the miners who want to resist the draft.
GLC02161.090
15 August 1863
He is extremely grateful for the box of food they sent and knows they must have denied themsleves many pleasures in order to have sent it. They have got the mines thoroughly intimidated.
GLC02161.092
17 October 1863
He got a promotion as 1st lieutenant. He now has a better chance of getting his back pay as 2nd lieutenant. If so, he can come home for a week. He may have to put off his wedding for some time.
GLC02161.096
to Harriet W. Dewey
22 May 1864
Written "in the field." He read of Henry's death in the papers after he thought he had escaped unharmed. They may lose their guns. He is sick of the expedition.
GLC02161.128
18 September 1864
He has someone else in mind for president. Someone who takes the bull by the horn. Someone like Sherman. He knows the war is coming to an end soon. He saw Charley recently.
GLC02161.140
4 October 1864
There has been a lot of fighting in the past week. They drove the rebels out of key positions. It has rained a lot.
GLC02161.142
1 January 1865
Difficult to read but he says something [illegible] is harder than soldiering but pays better. There is a new set of officers. He asks when she will be married.
GLC02161.147
to Norman R. Dewey
15 March 1865
He talks business. A place called Dinwood has his attention and he feels it would be a good place for a field business. He never says what kind of business it is.
GLC02161.151
25 December 1865
sender not named.
GLC02161.154
22 March 1867
He includes a collection of "old masters." Not included here. (Pictures by the great painters) So far there have been no orders. He thinks the war office is restrictive.
GLC02161.157
to his sister
1852-1902
Ida's eye is better. Dr. Martin had a boy. He played euchre on wednesday and friday night.
GLC02161.181
18 December 1863
He was appointed Post-Adjutant in the morning. He did not like having to leave the battery.
GLC02161.106
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