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to My Dear Mary

They are near the white house where George Washington courted his wife. He talks of how the beautiful countryside has been ravaged by war.

GLC02830.41

to My Dear Colonel

They lost the last battle and he got three wounds. All were flesh wounds. He wished the war would end so he could get married. He is currently in the hospital. Written in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

GLC02830.47

to My Dear Mary

He fills her in on the recent battle at Bull's Run and his three wounds. Letter includes 2 pictures. One shows a couple of biblical scenes: Water from the Rock and The Golden Calf and the other shows a boy and a girl in bed with with a dog and cat.

GLC02830.48

to My Dear Mary

Third page ripped. He is still recovering from his wounds but will be ready for battle soon. He blames her for their not being able to meet yet since she delayed his suggestion. Includes picture of young woman with flowers in her hair.

GLC02830.49

to My Dear Mary

Her leave of absence was too short to visit her. He mentions the recent death of his mother. When he was in Philadelphia, he ran into a relation of hers. Tomorrow he will rejoin his regiment.

GLC02830.50

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

GLC02830.03

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 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 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 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 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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

GLC02830.17

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 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

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 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 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 wonders if he has loved her too much, paid her too much attention or written her too much. Front page cross written.

GLC02830.23

to Miss Mary

He dined with Capatain Santille on Christmas and went to a town about 5 miles up the river where they had tea with a friend. The friend took them to a house where there were 15 or 20 ladies. He enjoys the company of ladies.

GLC02830.24

to Miss Mary

He feels bad because he has not been in a church in a long time. He received a letter from her mother. His friend gave him a couple pieces of music to give to her.

GLC02830.25

to Miss Mary

He refers to a promise she made without asking but does not say what it is. He has a strong appreciation of her worth and takes a great interest in her welfare.

GLC02830.26

to Miss Mary

He hasn't had much time lately but he spends what little time he has thinking of Mary. He is sorry she is sick and hopes she recovers soon.

GLC02830.27

to Miss Mary

He is sorry to hear that she is so indisposed. He can only hope she will recover soon.

GLC02830.28

to Miss Mary

He says military is a trade that cannot be learned in a day. For most of the rest of the letter he expresses concern over her sickness and hopes she recovers soon.

GLC02830.29

to Miss Mary

He hasn't had time to write. They have been so busy. He notes she will not write until she hears from him.

GLC02830.30

to Miss Mary

He has very little time to write. He will write more when this expedition is over. She shouldn't write until she hears from him.

GLC02830.31

to Miss Mary

He hopes the day he can again hear from her is not far away. He needs to know that she has completely recovered. Written near Fort Monroe, Virginia.

GLC02830.32

to Miss Mary

The weather is good and everyone is in in good spirits. He happy but wishes to know if she has completly recovered. Was written near Hampton, Virginia.

GLC02830.33

to Miss Mary

There is not comfortable place to write. The weather is erratic. He never knows what to write that will interest her. He regrets losing the locket she gave him.Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.34

to Miss Mary

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

GLC02830.35

to Miss Mary

He has not forgotten her but he reiterates that there is nowhere he can write a proper letter. He sometimes sees a relation of hers. He remembers a Mr. Prue, whom he spent pleasant times with in St. Louis.Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.36

to Miss Mary

There has been little change but you never know what might happen. She will probably read about it in the papers. He asks how his lady acquaintances are. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.37

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

to My Dear Mary

A Dr. Powers is mentioned. Jeff Banarsky is also mentioned as someone he does not like or admire. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.39

to My Dear Mary

He encloses a note, not included here, to be given to his mother in the event he killed. Written near Yorktown, Virginia

GLC02830.40

to My Dear Mary

He says they never know the movements and are never told where they are marching until they get there. He thinks they will move tonight. The weather is warm.

GLC02830.42

to My Dear Mary

There was a big battle going on at Fair Oaks but they did not have the opportunity to participate. The summer is warm, warmer than any place he has been before.

GLC02830.43

to My Dear Mary

They have been in 2 battles since he last wrote. They fought gallantly but suffered a lot. Was written near Jamestown, Virginia.

GLC02830.44

to My Dear Mary

He is sending her some valuable papers to look after until he returns. If anything happens, she should give them to his mother.

GLC02830.45

to My Dear Mary

He is sending her a package to look after until he asks for it. If anything happens, she should give it to his mother.

GLC02830.46

to My Dear Mary

They carry no reporters with them, and thus there is nothing about them in the papers. He heard a good sermon in church. He sent her some music.

GLC02830.51

to My Dear Mary

He received a letter from his sister consoling him over the loss of his younger brother who was killed in battle. The removal of Gen. McClellan has caused some excitement. He finally got the locket from her.

GLC02830.52

to My Dear Mary

He wishes he could see her play the harp or the piano. He wishes he could spend Christmas with her. Many of his juniors have been promoted but he remains a captain. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02830.53

to My Dear Mary

He wrote to her mother telling her how much he has enjoyed spending time in their home. He fears there is no chance for promotion. It seems Miss R does not dislike him anymore.

GLC02830.54

to My Dear Mary

He just fought in the battle of Fredricksburg but came out well. Her cousin David Hancock joined the regiment just before the battle. He heard her brother has joiend the navy. Written near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

GLC02830.55

to My Dear Mary

He is trying to get a leave of absence to see her but feels his chances are very slim. He wants to know what people are saying about Fredricksburg because he thinks they fought nobly.

GLC02830.56

to My Dear Mary

Tomorrow they leave for a destination unknown. He applied for a leave of absence. Includes a picture showing the profile of a woman in a yellow dress.

GLC02830.57

[Civil War diaries of John D. O'Connell]

Three autograph manuscript diaries, two of which are signed. The first volume, covering 1865, is approximately 86 pages, totally written in ink; also features additional printed pages with calendars, stamp rates, and other information. Signed "O...

GLC02830.58

1865 Diary of John O'Connell

Begins in Fort Trumbull. Records the weather and daily army business. He visits Elmira in February and then goes to Hart Island where he is in charge of a prison camp. Goes to Springfield, MA in April, followed by Dover, DE.Went to Richmond, VA in...

GLC02830.58.01

1866 (Jan.- June) Diary of John O'Connell

Most entries in Fort Yuma. There is a photocopy of a description about Yuma inserted inside the front cover. Describes the weather and landscape. Mentions fellow officers. On April 4th, one of the officers was killed by the Apaches. Back features...

GLC02830.58.02

1866 (July - Dec.) Diary of John O'Connell

Begins in Fort Yuma. Describes weather and what he and officers do in their leisure hours such as play cribbage. Goes to San Francisco in September. Then boards the Steamer Constitution. Lands in New York in October and goes to Brooklyn. Talks about...

GLC02830.58.03