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to Heather
23 May 1861
Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863
He likes being a soldier and describes his routine, starting with roll call. He will get his picture taken soon and send it along.
GLC02172.02
3 June 1861
He is getting used to being a soldier and he will send all his things home today. They have to be ready to march tomorrow.
GLC02172.03
to Brother
15 July 1861
A hundred of them marched for a couple of miles so that they could guard a dam. Eventually they will go to Fairfax where there are 4,000 men.
GLC02172.05
to Brother Henry
26 July 1861
There was an awful battle at Bull's Run He criticizes General Tyler who changed General Scott's orders, thereby ruining their position. Another General was drunk and their Colonel refused to obey the drunk General's orders. The next day General Tyler...
GLC02172.07
12 August 1861
He sent his brother some money. The weather has been warm and rainy lately. He complains of having written to various family members but has not received an answer.
GLC02172.08
14 August 1861
He heard from father and his uncle asked him to write. He discusses picket guard.
GLC02172.09
15 August 1861
He doesn't want his brother to enlist because he's afraid he'll pick up too many vices. He is glad his brother received the money. He complains that his father hasn't written.
GLC02172.10
18 August 1861
They lost their blankets at Bull Run but expect to have new ones in a few days and a full suit of clothes. He warns him not to enlist again and says he would rather his brother stay at home and look after their parents.
GLC02172.11
to Unknown
circa 1861-1865
They only got about 2/3 of their ration before going to Bull Run, so they were without food for a day and a half. When the bullets wer flying they saw a black berry patch and immediately began picking berries so the Colonel called them the black...
GLC02172.12
28 August 1861
A lot of commotion. General McClelland came by three times and there have been messengers going back and forth. He is on guard today.
GLC02172.13
30 August 1861
Four of their pickets were shot last night. In company O, one soldier was shot by hs own comrad. They were practicing a manual of arms. One ordered the other to load aim and fire his gun and he got shot through the heart.
GLC02172.14
31 August 1861
He begs his brother not to enlist. He tells him to please stay at home and make all the money can. He will take his picture soon. They have recenlt got new clothes and blankets.
GLC02172.15
8 September 1861
There has been fighting among the pickets.Three of their men were wounded and one died yesterday. There are a lot of peach and apple trees where he is.Troops are continually coming in. 70,000 crossed into Virginia Thursday night. Written in Camp...
GLC02172.16
to Children
14 September 1861
Porter, William L., fl. 1860-1865
Henry talks of enlisting and like Charles he is trying to talk him out of it.
GLC02172.17
20 September 1861
He has just come in from picket guard and is quite well. Being on picket is a good way yo keep from getting homesick as it is sometimes exciting. One day a secessionist picket came over and said he was tired of fighting for the secessionist cause....
GLC02172.18
26 September 1861
They heard about General Mulligan's surrender to the rebels supposedly because General Freemont did not send reinforcements. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.19
28 September 1861
They had inspection that morning. He is glad his brother has given up the idea of enlisting for now. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.20
29 September 1861
The Rebels have evacuated Munson's Hill. Most of the regiments were moving toward Fairfax. He mentions a Charley STevens who seems to have changed his mind about enlisting. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.21
1 October 1861
One of the men almost drowned and they were up half the night. Then they had to a trek of about ten miles. They captured three prisoners. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.22
6 October 1861
They are going to get new guns, either the sharps or Enfield rifles. He mentions the cavalry. The boys are in good spirits. He will not get down to the city thsi week. Written in Camp Arlington
GLC02172.23
9 October 1861
They had an inspection the other day, A tough day of fighting followed. They are told to "come out in style."The papers say thier focres are doing great in Missouri. Written in Camp Lyon.
GLC02172.24
15 October 1861
During the battle of Bull Run, their company stayed back in a town called Centreville. They went out on picket again and ended up five miles away. They are unable to advance any further for now. Written at Camp Poe
GLC02172.25
2 November 1861
There was heavy firing going on down the river yesterday afternoon. They brought in the wounded this afternoon. Last night one of the third regiment shot his hand off. Written in Camp Lyon .
GLC02172.26
6 November 1861
Tomorrow morning the regiment marches toward Tahrick Church. Many think the South will sue for peace in about six weeks' time. Written in Camp Lyon
GLC02172.27
16 November 1861
There was a report about a small fight in Western Virginia in the morning paper. He has been catching colds lately and has an awful one right now. But he can take it for he is as 'tough as a bull." Written in Camp Lyon
GLC02172.28
19 November 1861
He has explored Mt. Vernon in and out. He promises to write about it while on picket. The latest news from the naval fleet is that they were at Beaufort, SC and are now marching toward Charleston. Written in Camp Lyon
GLC02172.29
December 1, 1861
The regiment is camped in support of a battery about half a mile from Frederich. Their pickets are on one side and the Rebels are on the other. He writes that if his brother had told him before he enlisted taht he could endure such hardship he would...
GLC02172.31
December 9, 1861
They have been in their current location 8 weeks now. He does not know how much longer they will be there. Their pickets were fired upon by the Rebel cavalry.
GLC02172.32
22 December 1861
No more furloughs will be granted. The Colonel is confident there will be a forward movement of the grand army.
GLC02172.33
December 31, 1861
The Rebel pickets are three miles away. There is firing on both the right and left. He wishes could get a chance to take a sleigh ride. He will get his next two months pay this morning.
GLC02172.34
[Items related to Jefferson Davis's capture][Decimalized .01-.04]
1865
Various
Collection of four items dated 1865 related to Jefferson Davis's capture. Davis is depicted wearing his wife's dress at the moment of the arrest. Frequent characters in the depictions are Union soldiers, Capitol Hill, and his wife, Varina Davis...
GLC09780
Digest of The Report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights
29 October 1947
Columbus Council for Democracy
One pamphlet prepared by Samuel S. Wyer, Consulting Engineer from an original 175 paged report presented to President Harry S. Truman on October 29, 1947. The pamphlet covers various injustices committed such as lynching, censure, police brutality...
GLC09641.06
to Isora Skinkle
circa September
Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868
Informs his sister that he will not be coming home on a furlough. Inquires on how her Sabbath school picnic went in Washington. Writes that there was an expedition in Louisiana to seek out the rebels. Reports that his brigade did not go on the...
GLC03523.32.21
to Isora Sayles
21 May 1863
Writes to his sister from camp Fort Hill, two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Discusses charging on the enemy last Tuesday. Describes having to charge over a large hill and fallen timber and brush where they then laid low and fired on the enemy...
GLC03523.32.12
29 May 1863
Writes to his sister from a camp two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they have stormed the enemy's works twice, once on the 19th of May and the other on the 22nd of May. Writes that his company did not lose any men in the last...
GLC03523.32.13
6 June 1863
Writes to his sister from the field. Reports that he has been in two fights so far and has not been injured yet. Discusses her upcoming wedding and how he would like to be there. Writes about there being very few girls and says that he has not...
GLC03523.32.14
Requests that his sister tell their father to do what he thinks is best with the money that he sent home. Writes that he should be able to send more money after the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Speaks of a friend being well and as fat as a pig....
GLC03523.32.15
21 June 1863
Writes to his sister. Discusses how a man named Erving A. Porter died. Writes that Erving got up at 3:00 am as usual to get a drink and then went back to bed and never woke up again. His bunk mate found him lying still in the morning with his hand...
GLC03523.32.16
11 July 1863
Writes to his sister. Reports that they entered Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th. Describes conquering and entering Vicksburg, Mississippi as being the most glorious fourth he ever had. Reports that 30 to 40 thousand men surrendered and were...
GLC03523.32.17
20 July 1863
Writes to his sister. Describes the beauty of Natchez, Mississippi. Notes that it is situated on a high bluff and that it is the main part of the town. Comments, "I thought that lake Providence louisanna [sic] was the gratest place for white...
GLC03523.32.18
28 July 1863
Writes to his sister. Comments on how happy he and the boys were to learn of General John Pemberton's surrender. Discusses various people and news from back home. Mentions that he is on duty every other day.
GLC03523.32.19
7 August 1863
Informs his sister that there is no reason why he should not share his letters from her with the other boys. Comments that the information given is sure to leak out somehow anyway and that it is only fair that he shares his letters because the men...
GLC03523.32.20
18 September 1863
Thanks his sister for the package that she sent him. Inquires if she likes her new mother-in-law. Informs her that he will not be able to get a furlough this year and that he prefers it that way. Writes that he would prefer to wait until he can...
GLC03523.32.22
30 September 1863
Informs his sister that they might be heading up the river to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Writes that it has been raining for the last couple of days and the rivers are finally rising. Says that the rivers have been so low that several steamers have...
GLC03523.32.23
28 October 1863
Informs his sister that they will be spending the winter in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Complains about not receiving letters from people back home. Writes that he is afraid that he might have offended a friend named Mill in his last letter because she...
GLC03523.32.24
15 November 1863
Reports that a man named Eugene Thomas, along with the rest of the men, might have been taken prisoner while traveling home on a furlough. Writes that he has also heard the story is not true. Informs his sister that he sent both her and his mother...
GLC03523.32.25
circa 21 November 1863
Informs his sister that he will be sending some money. Reports that they do battalion drill everyday, dress parade afterwards, and that they have picket duty and camp guard duty. Writes about friends and family back home. Letter has an image and...
GLC03523.32.26
4 December 1863
Writes to his sister from camp. Reports that his new boots and stockings fit perfectly. Discusses how long a man named Knap will be able to stick it out in the services. Believes that Knap will have a hard time getting out of the service once he...
GLC03523.32.27
to William P. Sayles
December 8, 1863
Writes to his father from camp. Informs him that he sent ten dollars home. Complains about how long it has been since he has received any letters from the Silases family. Writes that a man named Knapp is a fool for trying to recruit all the...
GLC03523.32.28
22 December 1863
Writes to his sister from camp. Comments that she looked quite lean in her picture, but he has never been fatter. Reports that the lieutenant bet five dollars that the war will be over soon and that they will be able to go home by June and that...
GLC03523.32.29
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