Collection Search

[Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On...

GLC08914

to Brother

Is healthy and hopes he is too. Camped two miles from the city of Baltimore "on a little hill." There is a large railroad bridge that they have been guarding. Sent some letters and is wondering whether or not he has received them yet. The guards...

GLC08914.001

to brother

Is well at the present; had a bad cold but feels better now. Got a letter from Lewis Brooks. Misses the cider from back home. Does not want to simply sit out the winter. Has started to get pretty cold at the camp. Written in Camp Millington

GLC08914.004

to father

Is well at present; hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Expects to leave camp "every day." Has received marching orders, but has not left yet. Is not dreading the march, for he likes traveling. Discusses various affairs at home....

GLC08914.005

to Brother

Very glad to have received postage stamps in his last letter. Also glad to hear that all is well at home. Is well at present, but is getting a cold. Just returned from the meal ship, which has a few dents in its side "where the Merrimack balls struck...

GLC08914.006

to Brother

"Well at present;" hopes he is too. Got paid $21 last week, bought himself a pair of boots for $6. His other boots were no good. Will not send any money home this time. Has to make sure he "has enough to eat."

GLC08914.007

to Brother

Letter also includes a small $1 pink ticket for the steamboat A.G. Brown. Left Newport News yesterday for Fort Monroe. Will go to Norfolk to get some coal. Has a "very bad" cold, but is recovering. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC08914.008

to sister

Received her letter today. Cold is getting better; will be fine in a few days. Many on board the ship are still sick. A man in his company took sick, "got crazy," jumped overboard, and drowned last night. Gun boats have gone ahead, and "we expect to...

GLC08914.009

to brother

Is well; hopes these lines find him healthy too. Left Fort Monroe on December 1 by ship. "Out on the ocean eight days out [of] sight of land." Sailed to New Orleans. Could not dock because many were sick with the measles. Heard (falsely) that...

GLC08914.010

to sister

Apologizes for having not kept up contact with her, but sits down to write her a few lines. Letter is stamped with a shield covered with the stars and stripes. Is well; hopes she is too. Has "lots of fun" in New Orleans. Caught a young alligator on...

GLC08914.011

to sister and brother

Received her letter yesterday. Never has written to Horace Rifenburgh. Has had "good living," and "will tend to that son of a bitch if I ever live to get back." Denies Horace's claim that he charged him for the harness; calls him a "damn liar." Will...

GLC08914.013

to brother

Received a letter from him yesterday. Glad to hear all are well. "They can't kill this Rifenburgh." Tells them not to listen to other people about the money he sent them; there has evidently been some misunderstand about who owes how much money. Does...

GLC08914.014

to sister

Is well at present. Hopes she and the rest of the family are well. Does not know how long he is going to stay here. "Very near all" of the men from Clermont are sick. Brooks is well. John Heinkel and James Healy have enlisted in the artillery in New...

GLC08914.015

To Brother

Received his letter on the 6th. Glad to hear everyone back home is well. Sorry to hear that William's wife is sick. "Darn mad" that his father settled with Horace Rifenburgh, whom he describes as "such a darn rascal." Left Camp Chalmette last...

GLC08914.016

to brother

Is well and enjoying good health. Hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Has not received a letter from home in four weeks. "What the reason is I do not know." Expects to receive one the next time the mail arrives. Has not been paid...

GLC08914.017

to brother

Stationery is stamped with a colored series of stars with a shield bearing the stars and stripes in the middle. Glad to hear he is enjoying good health. Is also well. "Had a battle" on the Yazoo River; "captured 26 rebel vessels" and burnt six more...

GLC08914.018

to brother and sister

Letter is signed with an elaborate stamp that surrounds the initials P.E.R. It is possible that Rifenburgh created the stamp himself by simply putting dots of ink on the page, as it is not perfectly symmetrical. Received their letter yesterday. Is...

GLC08914.019

to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his...

GLC08914.020

to brother

Just received marching orders; does not know where to yet. Cooks have begun to cook extra rations in preparation for the march. Just got paid two months of wages. Will try and send some home. Will try to send it via express mail and see how long it...

GLC08914.021

to brother

Has sent a picture of himself. Marching orders have been countermanded; they will be staying at camp for a bit more. Hopes everyone at home is well. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.022

to sister

Sent with a picture of his likeness, but it is a "damn poor one." Does not have much time to write, but is well. Hopes this letter finds her in good health. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.023

to Brother

Glad to have received his letter; hopes this letter will find him in good health. Will send a copy of the New Orleans newspaper. Sent his likeness in a photograph and an ambrotype a week ago. Lewis Brooks had gotten a letter from [Mag] saying that he...

GLC08914.024

to sister

Received her letter today. Just returned from an expedition started on May 12th up the Mississippi River. Went 32 miles by foot and by boat through Lake Pontchartrain. After a few days' march, formed a line of battle. Marched about half a mile in...

GLC08914.025

to brother

Describes how the Confederates look: "like Hell. They don't wear no uniform they wear Citizen [civilian] clothes and rags." Many look "half starved." Has written a lot today. Has heard talk that the regiment is going up to Port Hudson along with...

GLC08914.026

to Sister

Marched to Port Hudson on May 20th. Boarded the steamer Bard and sailed until sundown, when they arrived at Baton Rouge. Sailed 10 more miles the next day, and landed on shore. Got 100 rounds worth of cartridges, and then marched the rest of the way...

GLC08914.027

to Nelson Rifenburgh

"We have had a pop at the rebels." Colonel was killed and eighty-five of his comrades were wounded. Did not take part in the fight, was left at the hospital to care for the sick. Eph[raim] Lasher and Patsey were wounded. Has "quite a lot of the...

GLC08914.028