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to Brother Frye

He has just returned from the Grand Review which he describes as magnificent. It was of the Left Wing of the army on the Potomac. He also discusses a building that he wants to sell.

GLC07205.079

to Sister Sophia

He describes a march in which he drank from a spring and fell asleep under some trees. They continued onto Fredricksburg where they passed a house and a man came out and said "Hi Yankees." Letter contains dried flower. Missing pages. Written in a...

GLC07205.082

to Sister Sophia

One of his fellow soldiers got married in camp. He asks his sister what she would think if he did the same thing. But he says he will not marry until he is able to support a wife. He describes the flowers. A great many of the regiment are currently...

GLC07205.083

to Sister Sophia

He inquires after Nettie and Maggie. He mentions cousin George who has gotten into a good regiment. He reminisces. One of the privates brought a pig in from Darnstown.. They also brought a dog into camp. He refers to the Clarks. Written in Camp...

GLC07205.084

to Unknown

Begins in the middle. There are pages missing. He is now in his third contract. He refers to Mrs. Thule and Carrie. Henry Wright of Plimpton was wounded. He received a "box of goodies" from the ladies in Loule neighborhood.

GLC07205.085

to Unknown

Begins in the middle. There are pages missing. He spent some time in Indianaoplis and was then welcomed back by the patients of the hospital. He mentions Lincoln's message and proclamation. He saw the statue of freedom raised to the dome of the...

GLC07205.086

to Sister Sophia

He is told he will never rejoin his regiment because he will never regain strength in his arm.

GLC07205.087

to Wilbur

He writes that a lot of the men are sick and that he himself has had dysentary for the last two weeks.

GLC07205.088

to Father

His arm seems to be getting better. He read Sumner's speech. He says he has had an opportunity to study the black man "and it is seldom that you meet a negro that is in any way intelligent. These enlightened ones have white blood in them."

GLC07205.089

to Father

He is afraid he has nothing interesting to say. He talks of his great appreciation for her and their mother. He refers to his sister wanting to find him a young lady by the time he gets home.

GLC07205.090

to Miss Nellie

He asks about George and says he is glad George turned out not to be a deserter at heart,

GLC07205.091

to Sister Sophia

He describes the last battle he particpated in. There were many wounded and killed. They fought in a cornfield and in the woods. He is glad Massachusetts has raised so many volunteers.

GLC07205.092

to Br. John

He writes about his work as a mail carrier and how he is owed a hundred dollars. He refers to prayer meetings.

GLC07205.093

to Sir

No Year. He had to get a certified copy of his appointment. He is waiting on back pay and 2 months advance.

GLC07205.097

[Father certifies that son is eighteen and has his permission to join a regiment]

GLC07205.098

to Sister Sophia

Fort Donaldson [Fort Doneslon] is surrounded by the Union troops now and that is not the only good news. However, the Chamberlain is to be court martialed for drunkeness. He assures his sister that he does not drink. Written in Camp Jackson, also...

GLC07205.099

to Mrs. Sowell

No year. He was supposed to be leaving in the morning but then he got a fever. Edgar Crockett got a bad cold as well. He is upset about having to stop,

GLC07205.100

to Mr. Baker

He tells Mr. Baker of when he enlisted and says he would rather have enlisted than be drafted. He says work in the army is not hard but it deprives one of liberty.

GLC07205.101

[Special Orders No. 64 ordering the release of Richard Bayly WInder from Libby Prison]

Copy of document by General Turner and Assistant Adjutant General William L. Hulbert. Pursuant to the instructions of the secretary of war, Winder was to be released from the prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he had been held for his role in the...

GLC07271.06.02

[Drawing of a cell in Libby Prison]

The docket indicates that Winder drew this while imprisoned in Libby Prison after the Civil War. He had been held there for his role in the mistreatment of Union prisoners of war at Andersonville Prison.

GLC07271.06.03

[Oval photograph of Andrew Fuller Tomes]

Inscription on verso reads "Andrew Fuller Tomes as he went to war - Company 9 Beecher Company. 13th Reg. 1861."

GLC07304.02

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler writes that a few men from his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois are at camp including his brother-in-law Darius Spohn. He reports that while the soldier's wives visit, they mend and alter clothes, and accompany their husbands to the city at...

GLC07460.001

to his parents and sister

Wheeler's regiment has marched 33 miles and many of the men have discarded their belongings along the way. He writes that they pass slaves along the road at almost every house and although a few volunteered to join the Union soldiers, they later...

GLC07460.002

to his father [Shepherd Wheeler]

Writes that his regiment is stopping in Scottsville, Kentucky for a while. Asks his father to send him tea, as he cannot find any where he is.

GLC07460.003

to his parents and sister

He advises his family not to worry about writing him when he's marching because the mail follows closely behind. Writes that it is sixty-eight miles to Nashville by railroad and there are too many men to transport by train. Some of the men have...

GLC07460.004

to his parents and sister

He writes that it took two days to travel from Bowling Green to Scottsville because the roads were rough and the wagons so heavily loaded the wheels had to be chained to go downhill. Comments that men and women, "meager looking whips," are often...

GLC07460.005

to his parents and sister

Writes that he and Darius have received money by way of Mrs. Warner, their captain's wife. He reports that General Dumont is issuing a notice in the papers identifying men who have deserted and offering a reward for their return. In response, the...

GLC07460.006

to his parents and sister

Wheeler has just marched fourteen miles to Gallatin, Tennessee and writes that he doesn't mind the marching as much as he used to. The letter is continued on Thursday, November 27th; Thanksgiving day. Wheeler writes that he will not march today but...

GLC07460.007

to his parents and sister

Lysander recounts how they surrounded and ambushed a suspected secessionist's house during the night, only to find nothing. The secessionist claimed to be a Unionist but admitted his brother is in the Confederate Army and that there were things...

GLC07460.010

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that many men have been receiving discharge papers, particularly those who are disabled. Reports that the mail has been irregular due to a heavy storm that washed away the tressel work of the train tracks. Relates the news that Captain...

GLC07460.011

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside...

GLC07460.012

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee....

GLC07460.013

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Discusses farm business back home. He describes a "grand foraging expedition" led by Major Dutton. In response to his father's comment about taking Wheeler's place, Lysander states "I couldn't let you have my place under any consideration...I...

GLC07460.014

to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner...

GLC07460.015

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Asks Darius, his brother-in-law, to settle some acounts for him back home. Reports that his regiment will march to meet General Hooker tomorrow morning. Mentions the Sons of Temperance a brotherhood of men who were committed to not drinking alcohol...

GLC07460.016

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He reports that John Fetterly has died of small pox. Writes that Fetterly was unable to march, so he was transferred to the pest house where he died. Wheeler informs his family that he will be on the march and may not be able to write for ten or...

GLC07460.017

to his parents and sister

He remarks "truly a soldier's life is a life of inequalities it learns a person to take everything as it comes." George Bowen has deserted; he was under 18 when he enlisted and his father came to get him but "failing to do it by fair means George...

GLC07460.018

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that a new order has been announced in which deserters will be dealt with promptly, even with the punishment of death. He also reports that new regulations are in affect for furloughs and only a certain number of furloughs will be...

GLC07460.019

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

They have been on the march for a few days and are probably headed for Chattanooga. Ward led them down the wrong road and they had to pick their path through the hills. He received a letter from his family assuring him "that the war will close this...

GLC07460.020

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Darius is almost fully recovered. There is talk of Wheeler's regiment moving to Camp Douglas, but Lysander does not want to go North unless they are going for good. Expresses that hewould like to drive all the copperheads in the Army SOuth, and run...

GLC07460.021

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He thanks his family for the letters and food they've sent. Complains that Uncle Sam owes him eighty dollars but thinks that he will get paid some of the amount tomorrow. Mentions to his family that they should set out an orchard on which they...

GLC07460.023

to his sister Martha

Writes that he would like to hire Welly (his nephew Wellington Spohn) at five cents a day to help with the harvest. Reports that rebels are camped nearby and that he is anxious toget rid of them. Discusses the feeling of brotherhood amongst the...

GLC07460.024

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Hopes that more men will be drafted to fill the regiments. Writes that he would like to see the North "whip" the South entirely with volunteers. He describes a reported rebel attack on a Union picket that forced the picket to retreat. Wheeler also...

GLC07460.025

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the letter and the trunk of food they sent him. He has packed his winter clothing and will be sending it home so as to not carry it around during the summer months. Writes that there is rumor that his regiment will join the...

GLC07460.026

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that furloughs have begun and three men will be allowed to go from each company. His brigade will be kept in Gallatan for the time being, as Gallatan is a very important position to keep. Writes that there will soon be a fight at...

GLC07460.027

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Thanks his sister for sending him a letter and food with a fellow soldier. Playfully writes to his sister that as he is writing he is being distracted by a chunk of maple sugar sent to him by his aunt. He writes that while on picket he has found...

GLC07460.028

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports...

GLC07460.029

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Tells his family not to worry if they don't hear from him soon, as he is preparing to march and will not be able to write for a while. Reports that the rebs have moved but it is not exactly known where to. He comments on the poor quality of farming...

GLC07460.030

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes about Capt. Fields' visit to Sycamore, where Wheeler's family lives. He complains about Fields' multiple absences without leave and feels that the lieutenants are working against him. Asks that his family not tell anyone about Fields'...

GLC07460.031

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Weeks thanks his family for the food and updates them on cmp news. Describes the various foods he has consumed since he received his family's packages and writes that he's "grown fat since yesterday morning".

GLC07460.032