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to My Dear Mary
18 May 1862
O'Connell, John D., fl. 1861-1866
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
4 September 1862
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
16 September 1862
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
12 September 1862
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
21 September 1862
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]
1861-1865
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
21 July 1861
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
30 July 1861
He asks if she and Rosa would like to go a carriage ride with him to the Belle Fontain Cemetary.
GLC02830.02
He has grown more and more interested in her and he wonders if she is interested in him too.
GLC02830.03
14 August 1861
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
16 August 1861
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
11 September 1861
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
22 September 1861
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
24 September 1861
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
30 September 1861
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
8 October 1861
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
14 October 1861
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
18 October 1861
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
29 October 1861
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
16 November 1861
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
19 November 1861
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
24 November 1861
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
29 November 1861
GLC02830.17
30 November 1861
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
4 December 1861
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
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