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to Mary "Mollie" McLean
4 October 1864
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
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
[Honorable discharge of O. S. Dewey]
9 October 1864
Smith, E.W., fl. 1864
Partially printed. Having tendered his resignation, Dewey is honorably discharged and will receive payment when it is determined that he owes nothing to the government.
GLC02161.145
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 Esther Ann Kinney
12 May 1862
Dodge, Nelson E., fl. 1862-1864
re: Dodge admits that he has had dysentery and has "felt not fit to crall." He also writes about the attack on the retreating Confederates, specifically at Williamsburg. He is also suspicious of the rumored attack on Richmond, writing "I think...
GLC02162.03
14 April 1864
re: Dodge explains his feelings on the coming campaign, and says that even though he could be mustered out in June, he will stay on "to see the war over first then [he] could come home satesfied." He is also "resolved to set a better example in futer...
GLC02162.06
22 May 1864
Blanchard, John, fl. 1862-1864
re: After recovering from his wound, Blanchard visited the west, specifically Chicago. He said, "I have enjoyed my self…[but] I dont lik Chicago has well has some of the Eastern city." He writes about the vast tracts of land available in the west and...
GLC02162.12
14 October 1862
re: Dodge thanks Kinney for the shirt she sent him. He wishes he could have gotten more, but realizes that sending the shirt cost thirty cents and was too expensive. He also explains that he was sick because his regiment had marched many miles with...
GLC02162.14
to Eunice Lombard Edwards
January 16, 1863
Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904
Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Reports, "We are to cross the Rappahannock again tomorrow morning, although I am not so foolish as to allow myself to think that in the coming struggle I must die, yet...
GLC02163.09
to Mary Ann Davis
25 July 1862
Holly, William H., ?-1864
Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Talks of the attempts of some (such as his friends Wilkinson and Johnson) to be discharged, and Sunday morning mandatory cleaning routines. Mentions General Ambrose Burnside will be reinforcing General George...
GLC02165.06
5 September 1862
Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Expresses boredom at the monotony of life. Describes an incident in which Confederate soldiers escorted under a flag of truce the wife of General John Bullock Clark, who had been taken prisoner, so that she could...
GLC02165.11
20 December 1863
Written to a friend. Talks of a Colonel Merritt suspected of stealing from his regiment's mail, and a man accused of the same thing sent to Ship Island. Expresses hope for coming home in 11 months, but acceptance that, of course, he could die...
GLC02165.16
Written from "Lakeport, La." to a friend. Talks of the visit of the wife of his friend, William Hoyt, whom he will be sad to see leave as he enjoys having a "respectable female friend to chat with." Talks of how he wants to leave the army--"what a...
GLC02165.17
18 December 1863
He was appointed Post-Adjutant in the morning. He did not like having to leave the battery.
GLC02161.106
January 13, 1863
Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Appears to have been written the same day as GLC02163.06 and .07. Notes that he received a letter from his mother upon his return (from visiting his wife, Annie). His...
GLC02163.08
to Miss Sue Johnston
25 December 1863
Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864
He wishes her merry christmas. The company had oysters for dinner last night. He was tempoarily assigned to company A so he had to move all his things from his tent. Includes newspaper clipping about the Ladies' Aid Societies of the North.
GLC02167.07
17 July 1864
He met with Capt. Griffith and told him they ought to have regular prayer meetings. Several other agreed.
GLC02167.24
19 August 1864
There are no longer any colored men or dutchmen in his department. The colonel wants to change them to an artillery regiment. He is taking a trip to Beaufort with Lt. Hebbard.
GLC02167.29
1861-1866
They may go to Beaufort. But some say they will join the army of the Potomac. He is glad to leave Jacksonville. He has nothing else to write.
GLC02167.43
to unknown
He is sending ten dollars and shall get a bonnet if she wants one. He was relieved from picket duty at 4pm.
GLC02167.44
to Respected Miss (Kitty)
26 November 1861
Morse, Justus, fl. 1861-1864
He was unable to come home on Friday because his captain was not there. He wishes she could see him, especially to watch him cook. He is very healthy.
GLC02170.01
to Miss Kitty
17 May 1862
He went to a meeting house the other day and it reminded him of old times. He heard she looks pretty bad these days, having had the measles.
GLC02170.07
to Kitty
13 March 1863
There was firing of the cannons that morning. There has not been any infantry fighting, only a slight skirmish earlier. The country is beautiful around them.
GLC02170.23
20 April 1863
They are now in Lousiana and have been marching for two days. They built some houses out of board fences, so are quite comfortable. He says she will hear of the biggest fight before long.
GLC02170.24
28 May 1863
He has a slight wound on the leg. 140 men were killed, wounded or missing. In general they have had a pretty hard time since they left Hellena. He is homesick.
GLC02170.25
to Miss (Kitty)
January 27, 1864
There is excitement over the old soldiers arriving from the font to reenlist. It sounds like she and Henry are getting pretty intimate. He believes it will not be long before his soldiering days are over.
GLC02170.38
to true and devoted friend (J. Morse)
January 31, 1864
Siscoe, C., fl. 1861-1864
On Wednesday morning he learned that Sister Margot was dead. There are five men currently sick. He saw his folks recently. Morse's father has a cough.
GLC02170.39
10 April 1864
Two of his friends got married and he was absolutely shocked. As for himself, he decided he would not get married until he got out of the army. He wishes she could go to school.
GLC02170.44
to Miss Catherine (Kitty)
He tells her she is welcome to have his money as long as he has any. He heard an acquaintance of his died.
GLC02170.51
to J. Morse
24 July 1864
C.S., fl. 1861-1864
They are done with the harvesting. She does not tell her parents that he sent her money. Mr. Heppert's house and property burned up.
GLC02170.52
18 August 1864
He writes that if it had been his fate to fall on the battlefield he would have been ready to die. But her letters always kept him going and made him stronger. He told his father he wants him to put in some wheat.
GLC02170.55
24 August 1864
He looks forward to the future when she will be his companion but they must endure some hard times first.He was ainvited to a party he did not attend and he was glad because it turned out to be a dance.
GLC02170.57
to Miss Dara Johnston
2 July 1861
When he arrived he learned that his regiment was in New York. When he got there he was told they'd gone to Albany and he wouldn't get any pay there. Once there he saw Henry and Charley. He looked at a wooden leg because he is still in crutches for...
GLC02167.01
February 5, 1864
They are on Aiken's Island and the weather is very nice. He heard some shots one day. It turned out to be the general who had been unable to get their attention. He gave orders to move back into the tide.
GLC02167.13
13 May 1864
Charlie came to visit and he is well. All the things they sent arrived in good condition. The new Colonel arrived. Unfortunately he is profane and drinks too much.
GLC02167.17
13 June 1864
He describes a rainstorm in which they set up tents. He talks about how they dealt with it and every mishap along the way.
GLC02167.19
29 June 1864
They have been ordered to go somewhere on boats with nine days rations. He saw Henry. Elliot and Charles are well.
GLC02167.20
circa 17 July 1864
They have regular meetings now and they are well attended. He saw Charlie and Elliot there. St. Graves' wife is ill. He heard the Rebels had over a hundred killed on July 8th.
GLC02167.25
2 August 1864
They started drilling on the big guns again. The colonel has the authority to bring the regiment up to 1200 and if he does, they will stay where they are for some time.
GLC02167.27
to Miss Johnston
22 September 1864
He thinks Elliot has improved since joining the army and is now a man. Seymour Graves is going to have a comission in a negro regiment. He had dinner with some exchanged prisoners
GLC02167.32
to Sisters
January 14, 1863
McFadden, Charles F., fl. 1862-1864
The Sandy river has raised, so all the boats and cavalry and artillery is going to start up the river. He mentions a John. He talks about some of the other boys, including Harrison, the cook.
GLC02169.03
to Respected Miss ( Kitty)
February 22, 1862
He has been marching and going back and forth in a boat. They were supposed to help take Fort Donaldon, but the other men took it before they got there. Theya re near Columbus but they won't go there because the Rebels have already evacuated there.
GLC02170.02
22 March 1862
She worries that because she has not heard from him in a while he might be lying dead in the battlefield. He tells her not to entertain such silly thoughts. He thinks he might be home in a few months time.
GLC02170.04
21 July 1862
He is currently in the state hospital serving as a nurse. He claims he is pretty good about it. There is no fighting going on at present.
GLC02170.12
5 November 1862
He was sorry to hear of her cousin's death. There was a snow storm recently. He can't afford to send her another picture right now.
GLC02170.17
30 September 1863
There was a freak accident involving one of the men in the 11th corp. He was supposed to get on the train but somehow didn't and the cars ran over him crushing his legs and breaking an arm. He lived.
GLC02170.27
12 October 1863
Someone stole his pocket book which carried a lot of postage stamps. He expects to stay where he is for some time to come and he likes it, as it is close to home.
GLC02170.28
23 December 1863
He wishes he could go to church withher.They plan to have a great Christmas meal but he would rather have it with her. He hopes to go skating later today.
GLC02170.35
to C.S. Siscoe (Kitty)
He was sorry to hear about his sister's death. He heard that Henry Reagers reenlisted, but he doesn't expect to reenlist himself. He will try to come home for a little bit soon.
GLC02170.40
to J Morse
7 March 1864
Sciscoe, C., fl. 1861-1864
She saw Henry Rogers and he was in good health. Uncle John Boruff died a couple weeks ago. Aunt Sallie is going to have a dinner next Thursday and he ought to be there. 2 years ago he was expecting to be in battle.
GLC02170.42
7 July 1864
He forgot to give her the gloves he got for her so he will send them along. He heard from Jim and he is well. He tells her to use the money he sends her as she sees fit.
GLC02170.50
7 August 1864
He will send her some more money. He is glad she is reading Paul in the Old Testament. There was a man that jumped out of the window of the third floor and is now recovering in the hospital.
GLC02170.54
to Catherine (Kitty)
circa 1861-1865
He believe the men had a small fight out in coal water and 2 were killed and four wounded. The area where they are now is beautiful.
GLC02170.63
Pension Certificate
2 May 1910
Davenport, J.L., fl. 1908-1910
Pension is granted to Catherine Morse.
GLC02170.61
January 22, 1864
He received correspondence that one of his men is in the hospital. He tried to go to meeting but was unable to do so. He wants to get to know Charley better.
GLC02167.09
They are all detailed to go to Savannah but but will not leave until morning. He picked up his new coat.
GLC02167.12
6 July 1864
They marched for three miles until 2 companies were sent forward on skirmishes. They continued until they came to a bridge. After their skirmishes they drove some of the enemy from fence behind which they had become intrenched.
GLC02167.22
4 November 1864
He mentions Aunt Jule and Cousin Henry. He thinks the election will come out all right. He heard Mr. Marvin preach.
GLC02167.35
13 November 1864
He is worried about Edgar. He mentions Cousin Emily. He has to guard the Rebel prisoners though he has had no interesting experiences with the prisoners.
GLC02167.36
to the Folks at home
25 April 1865?
Laurens came to visit and they had a great time. He is feeling well.
GLC02167.40
He presumes they will do fatigue and picket duty in the summer time. He mentions Emily.
GLC02167.46
to Maryann and Rebecca June McFadden
25 June 1862
There was a skirmish, during which they took six prisoners. He chatted with one of the prisoners who was confident they would win depsite the odds.
GLC02169.01
17 June 1863
He is now in Tennesee. Picket duty is heavy but he can tolerate it. He talks about the health status of mnay friends and acquaintances. He can't believe it's been 21 months since he went away.
GLC02169.04
11 November 1861
No year. He wishes he could have seen Uncle Lions when he came to visit. He hopes to get a furlough. A fellow soldier, Sam Vandevort, asked if he could draw his picture.
GLC02169.07
4 June 1861
No year. John is sick. He speculates on where they will go and how they will be transported after they are given marching orders. They might be put on a boat or a passenger car, but most likely they will be put in a Hog car and be "crowded in like...
GLC02169.08
July 26
Harrison has the yellow jaundice. He tells his sisters not to listen to stories about how hard a soldier's life is. It is not that bad. For the moment, he has everything he needs.
GLC02169.09
1 March 1862
They are close to the Rebels now and there should be a fight soon. The only reason there wasn't one before is because they didn't have guns.
GLC02170.03
10 May 1862
He apologizes for having played a trick on her recently but it was the first of April. The last time he heard from her, she wasn't well.
GLC02170.06
1 August 1862
He heard that his regiment is going to Little Rock.It is quiet for the most part but once in a while there is a skirmish in the neighborhood.
GLC02170.13
26 August 1862
He is still in the hospital acting as a nurse. The work is dull and he does not get to see what is going on.He describes how the ladies from the city come in often to visit the sick.
GLC02170.14
12 November 1862
He has joined his regiment in the field again. They are sleeping in log cabins and it is really quite nice. He has no hope of getting back home any time soon.
GLC02170.18
He has what the doctor calls Fistula and it will take some time to get better. They are going to send him up the river. He longs for peaches and mellons.
GLC02170.26
21 October 1863
He got a letter from Jim the other day. He is sorry to hear that she still has a cough. He does not know wwhen he is coming home since they are not granting many furloughs.
GLC02170.30
15 May 1864
She is very grateful for his kind offer to pay her living expenses in Bloomington. She will try to find something that he can afford.
GLC02170.46
to Mother
2 December 1861
He writes from the hospital. His health is improving. He is now able to eat a little but he still has to be careful. Written in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
GLC02167.05
to Father
circa November 1861
Charles wants to take a furlough. He doesn't know when he, himself, will be home. He really likes his captain. He asks for money to cover travel expenses. Written at Camp Delaware
GLC02167.04
circa 20 December 1861
He loves the muster rolls that are nearly completed. They have a new cook house. He is very healthy but does not have much time for reading.
GLC02167.06
to Miss Dora Johnston
January 14, 1864
He is sorry she did not get any gifts for Christmas. They agree on Spencer's situation. He is awkward and lame and not used to society. They must make allowances.
GLC02167.08
January 28, 1864
He received a package which someone else opened ('strange hands"). But he was able to find walnuts and butter untouched.
GLC02167.10
5 May 1864
He sent for the Eclectic Magazine. One of the gunboats was there the other day but he didn't know until it had left. Had he known, he would have gone aboard.
GLC02167.16
16 July 1864
He is no longer confident the war will end soon. Everyone is in good spirits mainly because they have been signing the payroll.
GLC02167.23
15 August 1864
He is concerned because it looks Edgar will be drafted. Though he, himself, enlisted he has never for one moment regretted his decision. Later he describes getting attacked by mosquitos.
GLC02167.28
They heard Lincoln carried every state but three. Elliot's uncle is sick. One of his fellow soldiers died. They will have monthly inspection on Monday.
GLC02167.37
8 December 1864?
He was a little sick with diarrehea but is feeling better now. He wishes his mother could visit and describes the interior of his tent. He goes over the amenities it offers. Water damage.
GLC02167.39
There was a funeral for one of the men. There has been a lot of sickness in the company. There has been nearly a funeral every day.
GLC02167.42
He is glad they have a pastor again. They will be doing heavy artillery drills and he feels they will become great artillerists. They have been having very good food.
GLC02167.45
to Sister
24 October 1862
He hopes there will be a couple of new regiments coming to reinforce them.
GLC02169.02
to Daniel Kestor
6 August 1864
Mays, Wesley, fl. 1862
A notice of the death of a friend.who died on the battlefield.
GLC02169.06
18 April 1862
They are in Tennessee now and will most likey stay 4 or 5 days as they are being used as a guard. He got a letter from mary Dubois.
GLC02170.05
14 June 1862
They are now in Memphis. The people there like to insult their army as they're going through town. Unfortunately, he can't come home now.
GLC02170.08
to Unknown
15 June 1862
The author writes she will have to plant corn without him. She will send him part of her dress and a lock of her hair. She tells him to write as often as he wants and not to wait for her.
GLC02170.09
14 September 1862
He gets anxious waiting to hear from her. A fight in their area is expected soon. Their sleeping quarters are very nice at present. He wishes he could eat peaches with her.
GLC02170.15
4 December 1862
He would love to be with her on Christmas and New Year's. He heard that his mother was sick. He is pretty sure, he, James and he will not be able to come to Monroe.
GLC02170.20
January 16, 1864
He enjoyed himself over Christmas and New Years but would much rather have spent it with her. He will get her Christmas present when he gets home sometime this winter. John Bakes has reenlisted.
GLC02170.37
26 April 1864
He offers to pay for her to go to school in Bloomington.He does not want her to waste herself. He tells her James Reagers is in Louisville, KY currently.
GLC02170.45
Unfortunately, he did not get his pay so she will have to postpone going to school for a while, at least until July. He wishes he could go horseback riding with her now that she has a new saddle.
GLC02170.47
12 June 1864
She was sorry to hear of his chills. She expexts him to be coming home in about 4 months.
GLC02170.49
21 July 1864
.He thinks she should not tell anyone he gave her money because they will not leave her alone if they knew. He would love to go to church with her but they will have to be patient.
GLC02170.53
16 October 1864
He expects to be home by the Presidential election. He mentions breaking Mr. Baruft's buggy.
GLC02170.60
February 19, 1864
He took a walk on the beach for the first time in a long time. The weather has been very cold.
GLC02167.15
18 May 1864
One of the Colonels placed a truce flag on enemy lines today. He heard that the left wing of Grant's army was whipped. 17,000 men were taken prisoner. He refers to Banks' defeat.
GLC02167.18
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