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to Mary Epperly

Writes from North Ames Creek that he wants to hire a substitute. Says he believes the army must accept a substitute, if one can be found. Mentions the Yankees are heading toward Manassas, Virginia.

GLC02715.026

to Mary Epperly

States he is nearly barefoot and hopes to get his boots soon. Mentions that General [W.E.B.] Stuart rode around [General George] McClellan's army in Maryland. Page four is a religious poem.

GLC02715.034

to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp complaining that the Yankees "steal" people's stock and grain to supply their army. Tells Mary that if she has any grain she should use it to fatten up the pigs and sell them. Also discuses the price of corn, bacon, and butter.

GLC02715.035

to Mary Epperly

Describes engagements between Confederate artillery and cavalry and Union forces. States his unit almost lost two guns when the Yankee cavalry charged past them. He places the battle at Marrun Station, Fauquier County, Virginia.

GLC02715.036

to Mary Epperly

Writes from camp in Spotsylvania County, Virginia that the Yankees are camped across the river. Notes that all the civilians have left Fredericksburg in fear of Federal bombardment.

GLC02715.038

to Mary Epperly

Notes the Yankees are once again across the river. Says the army has gone into winter quarters in cloth tents. States that General [W.H.F.] Lee will submit his application for a furlough to General Stuart.

GLC02715.040

to Mary Epperly

Writes from Camp Leids that there is a case of smallpox in the company, but he does not think it will spread since the company has been vaccinated. States that the Yankees are crossing the river above Fredricksburg, Virginia. Notes he will likely...

GLC02715.042

to Mary Epperly

Writes from Camp Lee that the Yankees are crossing the river. Says he expects another fight near Fredricksburg, Virginia. Notes his unit has been order to go to Orange County, Virginia.

GLC02715.045

to Mary Epperly

Believes the Yankees are heading toward Gordon's ville to cut the railroad to Lynchburg, Virgina. Informs her that two men in camp have gotten married. Expresses his desire to go home.

GLC02715.050

to Nancy E. Jones

Daily skirmishing and sharp-shooting; establishing battle lines; dangers of picket duty; mentions battles at Rocky Face and Resaca; asks her not to send the children to school unless he dies.

GLC02739.117

to Nancy E. Jones

Nine days' engagement with the enemy; continuous fighting in Tennessee from 4 May to 7 June; discomfort from "filth and durty clothes and loss of sleep;" hopes for a furlough.

GLC02739.118

to Nancy E. Jones

Movement towards Atlanta; recounts various hardships of army life; tallies the lost men from the regiment over the course of two years.

GLC02739.119

to Nancy E. Jones

Concern for his sick daughter Elizabeth; expressions of faith; sleeping outside in the rain.

GLC02739.120

to Nancy E. Jones

Almost daily engagements with the enemy; list of corps commanders, citing Gen. "Howart" (Oliver Otis Howard) as his favorite; relates a story about Gen. Howard's exchange with a soldier about removing the body of a wounded man from the field.

GLC02739.121

to Nancy E. Jones

Charge on June 27th ("I never saw a grater [sic] slaughter in as little [sic] time").

GLC02739.122

to Nancy E. Jones

More description of the charge on June 27th, with 800 killed or wounded; assisting the wounded on the field and in the hospital; safekeeping his diary.

GLC02739.123

to Nancy E. Jones

Reconnaissance mission up the river; lack of paper.

GLC02739.124

to Nancy E. Jones

No end of the campaign in sight; lack of paper, envelopes, and steel points.

GLC02739.125

to Nancy E. Jones

Taking position outside Atlanta; heavy engagement by the 16th and 17th corps with heavy Confederate losses; battle at Peach Creek.

GLC02739.126

to Nancy E. Jones

Surrounding the city and three subsequent engagements; news of mutual acquaintances; rumors of Confederate reinforcements.

GLC02739.127

to Nancy E. Jones

Heavy shelling from Confederate forts; returning fire.

GLC02739.128

to Nancy E. Jones

Possibility of furlough; hopes of taking the city of Atlanta.

GLC02739.129

to Nancy E. Jones

Burning in and around Atlanta and Macon; circular from General Sherman congratulating the soldiers on their success.

GLC02739.130

to Nancy E. Jones

Marching through Atlanta; Confederate retreat.

GLC02739.131

to Nancy E. Jones

Irregular mail; expecting to leave Atlanta.

GLC02739.132

to Nancy E. Jones

Visit to the 57th Indiana volunteers; application for furlough; leaky tents; field chapel.

GLC02739.133

to Nancy E. Jones

Traveling to Bridgeport; disrupted communication with Nashville due to Confederate cavalry; Lincoln/McClellan election; private apology to his wife; surrender of Vicksburg; Lee's retreat.

GLC02739.134

to Nancy E. Jones

Furlough still unapproved; bad weather; Sheridan's success in the Shenandoah Valley.

GLC02739.135

to Nancy E. Jones

Journey to rejoin his regiment in Nashville after furlough; Abraham Lincoln's election.

GLC02739.137

to Nancy E. Jones

Successfully rejoining his regiment after furlough.

GLC02739.138

to Nancy E. Jones

Setting up camp near Pulaski; lack of prayer meetings; gambling by fellow soldiers; reduction in ranks.

GLC02739.139

to Nancy E. Jones

Incessant rain; washing clothes for other soldiers; sanitary rations; encouraging news in the papers.

GLC02739.140

to Nancy E. Jones

Orders to march in the morning.

GLC02739.141

to Nancy E. Jones

Sending his correspondence via William Reedy.

GLC02739.142

to Nancy E. Jones

Cold weather; lice.

GLC02739.143

to Nancy E. Jones

March to Columbia.

GLC02739.144

to Nancy E. Jones

Encounter with Confederate cavalry and other artillery fire; new conscripts; anticipating battle with Hood's forces; making breastworks in the middle of the night; defense by African American troops.

GLC02739.145

to Nancy E. Jones

Private correspondence.

GLC02739.146

to Nancy E. Jones

Informing Jones's wife of his capture during a battle at Franklin, Tennessee.

GLC02739.147

to Nancy E. Jones

News of Jones's whereabouts.

GLC02739.148

to Nancy E. Jones

Details of his capture, imprisonment at Andersonville, and release.

GLC02739.149

to Nancy E. Jones

News from other prisoners captured at Franklin, but still no word from Jones.

GLC02739.150

to Nancy E. Jones

Lack of correspondence.

GLC02739.151

to Nancy E. Jones

Hopes of being mustered out.

GLC02739.152

to Nancy E. Jones

Arrival without furlough papers; commutation of rations. Written at the Benton Barracks Union Military Camp

GLC02739.153

to Nancy E. Jones

Requesting furlough papers; his discharge. Written at the Benton Barracks Union Military Camp

GLC02739.154

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

Likenesses of his children; plans to send money home when it is safe; taking of Charleston and Generals Lee and Rosecrans; Confederates switching sides.

GLC02739.155

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

Devotion to his family; unchristian behavior of fellow soldiers; his diary.

GLC02739.156

to Nancy E. Jones

Inquiring after presents for Phebe Jane.

GLC02739.157

to Phebe Jane Jones

With hand-shaped paper cut-out.

GLC02739.158

[Map of fortifications]

GLC02739.159

[Carte de visite of Joseph Jones]

Inscribed "Father" with cancelled tax stamp on verso.

GLC02739.161

[Tintype of Joseph Jones]

GLC02739.162

[Articles established by the Colored Ladies Lincoln Association]

Hettie (also spelled Hetty) Chippie is listed as President and Mrs. Major Williams as Vice President. Organized to tend to sick and wounded Union soldiers, and to be connected to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch of the United States Sanitary...

GLC03434.03

to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks they will stay in Murfreesboro. He would like to know how the Confederates are faring near home.

GLC02739.037

to Nancy E. Jones

There was a very difficult battle but his regiment killed more Confederates than any other. If those she sells crops to will not "take Uncle Sam's money at ful face let them go without it for I don't want to serve in their place and then them not...

GLC02739.038

to Nancy E. Jones

He does not regret joining the army "for it has bin a blessing to me, and I think it wil work out for good to us all in the long run." He will never desert but does not blame anyone for deserting as "our men is meaner than the rebbels."

GLC02739.039

to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042

to Nancy E. Jones

"The rebbels is failing in evry sense of the word." The Confederates attacked their pickets but his regiment held them off and will "slay them by the thousands if they try to take this place."

GLC02739.043

to Nancy E. Jones

He is glad she received the 30 dollars he sent. He is sorry for her hardships and "would do anything for you if I could."

GLC02739.044

to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed and had to leave the 79th to work a twelve pound brass cannon in the 20th Ohio Battery. He does not feel in any more danger as "I can dodge a shell or canon ball some times but a musket ball I can not." The battery consists of two...

GLC02739.045

to Nancy E. Jones

He cannot pray at night in the 20th Ohio and must rely on secret prayer. All the prisoners "that we get say that the rebel armey is both starveing and getting naked for the want of clothes."

GLC02739.046

to Nancy E. Jones

The men and officers of the 20th are all "persecutors of religion" but he will persist in his prayers. They expect a battle soon, "one of thee hardest battles ever fought in America."

GLC02739.047

to Nancy E. Jones

"If general hooker is successful at [Fredericksburg] I think that will end the war." They get good news from the armies of the Mississippi and the Rappahannock every day. He wants a likeness of her and the children. He closes discouraged, having...

GLC02739.048

to Nancy E. Jones

The men of the 20th are by "far mutch the hardest men that I have ever bin with" but they treat him like a gentleman. They no longer expect a fight and he has no doubt "but that our forces have gained a complete victory at fredricksberg."

GLC02739.049

to Nancy E. Jones

"I feel as mutch assured that I will git home alive as mutch as I feel assured that this war will end in the distruction of the southern confederacy." He believes that they will soon have Vicksburg and hopes to move to Fort Donelson soon.

GLC02739.050

to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks the war may end soon but wouldn't be surprised if it lasted a year or two more. Their latest news from Grant is favorable. He will rejoin Company F of the 79th.

GLC02739.051

to Nancy E. Jones

They drove 40,000 Confederates towards Chattanooga and several corps are advancing behind them. Some Confederates say "they want to quit fighting that they have bin deceived long enough by the leaders of the south." He fears the letter will not...

GLC02739.052

to Nancy E. Jones

He has terrible pain in his head and had a tooth removed. He is still with the battery but will be with the regiment soon. "A man cannot git a discharge here until he is four days dead if he wanted it ever so bad."

GLC02739.053

to Nancy E. Jones

He expects the Union to take Vicksburg soon. He must sneak out to prayer meetings in town every night and could be punished if caught.

GLC02739.054

to Nancy E. Jones

He is still with the battery. Mr. Shorter will hand deliver the letter and tell her more in person.

GLC02739.055

to Nancy E. Jones

He has a shelter or dog tent which he stretches out on sticks to cover about five feet of ground. He fashioned a bedstead from an old stable door and uses his oil blanket and dress coat as bedclothes and his knapsack as a pillow. It would be worth...

GLC02739.056

to Nancy E. Jones

They have been marching and fighting and drove the Confederates from the mountains and through Liberty Gap. Moving and placing the cannons in the mountains is difficult and the rain makes it more so.

GLC02739.057

to Nancy E. Jones

The Confederates are retreating towards Chattanooga. The road is so muddy that they can barely get through. The 79th of Illinois and 77th of Pennsylvania defeated nine Confederate regiments. "The rebs having al advantages in the mountains we have...

GLC02739.058

to Nancy E. Jones

He believes "Morgan the [guerilla chief] is neer his last end." The whole army is working well together toward a quick end to the war. The Union has control of Port Hudson and Bragg has left Tennessee. "His Armey is very mutch Reduced" and...

GLC02739.060

to Nancy E. Jones

He received the children's likenesses. She should not write to the captain asking for a furlough. He believes he has fought his last battle; "this armey may have a hard battle yet with brag but I don't expect to be in the engagement."

GLC02739.061

to Nancy E. Jones

He encourages her to go to Indiana with the children and Phebe Jane Walker. He is sending her 21 dollars inside a book of his writings with Lieutenant Williams.

GLC02739.062

to Nancy E. Jones

He has the opportunity to change his terms of service by being mustered out and then sworn in again but awaits her opinion. The new terms would offer him a furlough and a change in pay and length of service.

GLC02739.063

to Nancy E. Jones

Mentions that he has atteneded prayer meetings led by Black church members. Refers to the educational disaparity between Black and White children. Writes, "if they had the schooling and chance that we have they could take care of their selves and be...

GLC02739.064

to Nancy E. Jones

He describes the march from Tullahoma, Tennessee through the mountains. They may follow Bragg to Georgia.

GLC02739.065

to Aaron Jeffery

Richard reports on his arrival in the city of Charleston and finds it "...much more quiet than I supposed they would be." He asserts that the people believe that the Yankees will not attack the city and that they are going about "their ordinary...

GLC01896.051

to Aaron Jeffery

Concerning information about his unexpected transfer from Charleston to Savannah where "...my responsibilities are greater & the means of meeting them less..." Discusses the anti-climactic Union attack on Charleston including the unimpressive...

GLC01896.052

to Aaron Jeffery

Positive analysis on the ability of General Pemberton to command at Vicksburg, the defense of which is, maintains Richard , "...a defence of the obstinacy of the President..." He consequently tears into the newspaper editors and the gulible...

GLC01896.053

to Nancy E. Jones

The Union has captured Chattanooga and he heard that Charleston was taken. Their picket line is near the river and the Confederates are on the other side. The Confederates know "more about retreat than anything else." There are rumors that the...

GLC02739.066

to Nancy Ellen Jones

Jones, a Civil War soldier, replies to a letter from his wife. Expresses joy that Nancy spends time with Brother Millis, possibly a pastor. Traveled the previous day from Bellefont to Stevenson, Alabama. States that divisions led by Generals...

GLC02739.067

to Nancy E. Jones

He expects to move to Georgia and fight Bragg. He will look for her cousin in the army.

GLC02739.068

to Nancy E. Jones

They are camped between the Sandy and Lookout mountains. The men "almost melt in the day time and freeze stiff at night." He dreamt that they took all of Bragg's men prisoner. Includes note to Phebe Jane Jones.

GLC02739.069

to Nancy E. Jones

Expectations of battle; taking Chattanooga with the loss of only one man; close proximity to the Confederates; wounding of Cornelius Hanvy.
.

GLC02739.070

to Elizabeth Jones

5,000 troops marched with six pieces of cannon to find the Confederates. He tries to convey what it is like to be in a soldiers' camp; "I could lay down in sight of the rebels and go to sleep without any feer." Their course is towards Mumfordsville...

GLC02739.071

to Nancy E. Jones

They defeated Bragg, Johnson, and the Richmond army even though they were outnumbered five to one. They fell back here to fortify as the Confederates are planning to attack. He calls Stones River a skirmish in comparison with this battle. He has...

GLC02739.072

to Nancy E. Jones

The fighting has subsided but they are often shot at on picket. He "would not give what I have lernt and seen since I have bin in the armey for ten thousand dollars."

GLC02739.073

to his mother

He has completed his business in Washington and warns his mother not to work too hard in the garden. He is not sure how long he will remain in the city. Written on the stationary of George W. Walbridge [a brother] of Pratt & Company.

GLC04662.001

to his mother

His journey to Washington. He describes a "society" in Philadelphia which met them at the train station and furnished them with a home made meal complete with crockery and white table cloths. Indicates that the regiment was well received at every...

GLC04662.003

to his mother

Describes a miserable march from Washington to Alexandria. A bivouac site on marshy land and a cold rain prompted soldiers to seek other places to sleep, including a tomb. Discusses rations for the troops and his dining at private homes. Inquires...

GLC04662.004

to his mother

He is feeling better and expects to return to his unit in about a week. Since he does not know where they are, he will have to go to Washington to learn their location. A gang of men are putting up a large building, which Walbridge thinks may be a...

GLC04662.013

to his mother

He is waiting to join up with his regiment. Due to the expense of staying in the city, he had to release his servant, a contraband from Virginia. He thinks the rebels are in a precarious situation in Maryland and adds that as long as the war lasts...

GLC04662.014

to his mother

Camped at Park Barracks in front of the Astor House. The regiment has orders to be ready to march, but no one is sure exactly when they will move out. He briefly mentions sight-seeing in the city and gives the whereabouts of other relatives in the...

GLC04662.002

to his mother

Writes from camp Scott that his regiment has not been paid yet. He believes his brother George is not healthy enough to be a soldier. Discusses the condition of his clothing, says he gets along well with the other officers, and hopes that one day...

GLC04662.005