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[New York Civil War soldiers' archive, letters to Almira Winchell from four soldiers] [Decimalized .01-.26]

Letters to Winchell, from Belleville or Belle Isle, New York (Onondaga County). Winchell received letters from three soldiers, stationed mostly in Virginia: Thomas Donahue (1st NY Art., Batt. B), William Remington (101st NYS Vols.) and William...

GLC04706

to Almira Winchell

He is writing from his "little Log hut" and laments the death of General Edwin Sumner. He expects to attack Richmond and claims the army is not as demoralized as the people back home think.

GLC04706.01

to Almira Winchell

Written from the battlefield. Expects the Confederates to withdraw by the next night. Reports that Confederate prisoners are poorly clothed but "are as saucy as ever." Expresses patriotism and confidence in the Union cause and also"[G]reat...

GLC04706.02

to Almira Winchell

Battle of Gettysburg & his hopes to take Richmond before winter. "I suppose you heard about the Great Battle of Gettysburg it was an awful place I tell you, to See the men and horses falling all around but thank god I escaped unhurt through it all...

GLC04706.03

to Almira Winchell

Describes hard marching between Culpepper and Centreville, and crossing the old Bull Run Battlefield where the skeletons of those killed were visible. Writes, "[L]ast week we Crossed the old bull run battle Field and we could See lots of Skeletons...

GLC04706.04

to Almira Winchell

He has just returned from home and reports that 20 other men have gone home on furlough.

GLC04706.05

to Almira Winchell

Hopes the war will not last too long and reports the news of his comrades returning from furlough.

GLC04706.06

to Almira Winchell

Talks about some of the other people whom he is corresponding with. He jokes about the number of children they will have and a trip to the fortune teller. He wants to find out who started the rumors about him doing "Something else besides kissing...

GLC04706.07

to Almira Winchell

Irritated over rumors he married another woman. Discusses his opinion of Grant: "I guess the rebels wont have long to wait before they have U S Grant after them and as you Said I Hope that where ever he Strikes he will be victorious. I Saw General...

GLC04706.08

to: Almira Winchell

Written from camp "in front of" Richmond. Reports that the battery left Brandy Station on 4 May and has been fighting every day since then. Writes about the entrenchments around Petersburg: "Grant has drove them into their breast works around the...

GLC04706.09

to Almira Winchell

Written from camp "in front of" Richmond. Discusses the Battle of the Crater. Describes the attempt of the 9th Army Corps to mine under a rebel fort, blow it up and break the Confederate line at Petersburg. Donahue's battery offered supporting fire...

GLC04706.10

to Almira Winchell

Written from a fort near the Weldon Railroad. Says he is sorry to hear about the death of friends. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps.

GLC04706.11

to Almira Winchell

Written from three miles to the left of their previous position (possibly near the Weldon Railroad in Virginia). Writes of the captured rebel prisoners and four cannons. Expresses confidence in the success of the Union army but admits there are...

GLC04706.12

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Writes that the battery fired a 100 gun salute in celebration of [General William T] Sherman's capture of Savannah, Georgia. Thinks the winter campaigns are over. Describes how he and his friends spent Christmas.

GLC04706.13

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Responds to a letter from Almira. Writes that he is sorry that there are no single men left home to attend the dances.

GLC04706.14

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Cautions her not to be to optimistic about General Ulysses S. Grant taking Richmond, Virginia. Notes that he is glad to hear a friend has been captured: "I would rather have him a prisoner than a Deserter."

GLC04706.15

to Almira Winchell

Addresses Almira as his cousin. Writes about a friend who is being discharged. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps. Written at Warren, possibly Warren County, Virginia.

GLC04706.17

to Almira Winchell

The regiment has moved across the Potomac to Fort Lyon. Gives news of the death of a friend. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps.

GLC04706.18

to Almira Winchell

In regard to Almira's admonishment to leave whiskey alone, writes, "I never liked it any way."

GLC04706.19

to Almira Winchell

Writes from Harris Hospital. Expects to be home in two weeks. He went to see the "old dutch woman that tells fortunes and well never mind."

GLC04706.20

to Almira Winchell

Writes from a hospital. Describes his leg amputation six months ago, which still gives him trouble.

GLC04706.21

to Almira Winchell

Writes while on his way home via ambulance. Relates that he is still having problems with his leg. Thinks that he should not have left Nashville but the Confederates were too close to the city and could be seen from the hospital. Is sorry to hear...

GLC04706.22

to Almira Winchell

Relates that his leg is infected and he needs another operation. Writes about Sherman's capture of Savannah, Georgia, with "150 pieces of artillery, 130 locomotives, and lots of other stuff."

GLC04706.23

to Almira Winchell

Writes from the General Hospital. Expects to come home on furlough next month. Does not know what he will do for a living once the war is over.

GLC04706.24

to Almira Winchell

Writes to "Mrs. Thankful" Winchell. Written from [Clouds Mill]. Notes that he spends most of his time picking huckleberries. Asks whether Thomas Donahue has returned home yet.

GLC04706.25

"When This Cruel War is Over."

Advertisement /song sheet with small hand-colored picture of Union soldiers in the countryside entitled "Reconnoitering Party after the battle of Gettysburg."

GLC04706.26

to Almira Winchell

Discusses the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington, D.C. Describes some of the signs hung on buildings that welcomed the soldiers home. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps.

GLC04706.16