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to Sister

The Rebels are well fortified from the base to the summit of the mountain and they have been skirmishing all the time. Hooker advanced. Written at Big Shanty Camp.

GLC00653.11.15

to Sister Mary

The fourth division suffered in the skirmishes. The rebels ended up retreating again. They picked up some prisoners but were unable to make an advance. Around the 9th, they camped near Marietta.

GLC00653.11.16

to Sister Mary

They were able to gain all the ground desired from the recent skirmishes. Even though they have used their artillery on the present camp they have not done much damage. Their accommodations are a little better now. Letter was written near Atlanta...

GLC00653.11.17

to Sister Ellen

They have been on the march through Dalton and Resaca. Fighting took place left and center. They skirmished until Kingston and then marched to Dallas.

GLC00653.11.18

to Father

He has been sick lately and even had to be taken away in an ambulance. He is feeling better however. They had a battle recently in which 10,000 volunteers came to help them. Yesterday there was heavy skirmishing.

GLC00653.11.19

to Mother

He just returned from a three day march. They marched through the dark and the rain and encountered fallen logs. He requests butter and dried apples. Pages missing.

GLC00653.11.20

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott describes how they got across Bear River to meet the enemy where they immediately began fighting. The enemy rescued some of their prisoners. The next day they marched back and camped near a mountain.

GLC00653.11.21

to Mother

Letter is completely faded.

GLC00653.11.22

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about the new clothes he has purchased and received from the army. He bought new shirts and received a new blanket.

GLC00653.11.23

to Sister

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about mutual friends and acquaintances. He is glad Robert did not enlist because he would not have liked a soldier's life all. He also notes that the chaplain returned. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.24

to Father

Laurens W Wolcott writes that the 42nd regiment passed by and he got to see people he hadn't seen in a while. One of four gunboats was captured in battle. Afterwards more than half the company was sick but they are feeling better now. The weather has...

GLC00653.11.25

to Sister

Yesterday there was skirmishing among the pickets. They also received strict orders not to cross the lines of their division except on business. The weather has been pleasant.

GLC00653.11.26

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott is writing from the hospital where he has been ill with fever. Now, however, he is doing much better but will stay a little longer before resuming hard duty.

GLC00653.11.27

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that they got on a steamer bound for St. Louis where he met a friend who entrusted a package with him. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.28

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that on Thursday night they were taken out of their tents to go to Stewartsville. They were expected to have a major skirmish there, but nothing happened. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.29

to Brother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there are some people who say they have defective arms, but he thinks their weapons are very well-made. He says they have been living on 2 meals per days and he has enjoyed good health. He writes that they marched at...

GLC00653.11.30

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that he wants his father to send him newspapers like the Independent. He mentions that the weather has been pleasant, and that more troops keep arriving.

GLC00653.11.31

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that the weather has been warm and apples are growing. Lately, he has been learning how to cook. He writes that they are camped in a pleasant place. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.32

to Father

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there is less sickness than at any other time among the company. General "Oglesbee" visited the hospital, and Doctor Humphrey was appointed assistant surgeon. Wolcott's mother urged him to get a discharge, but he is not...

GLC00653.11.33

Shiloh National Park

Photograph of Shiloh National Park. Inscription on the back reads: "View showing superintendant's lodge and park of Shiloh cemetary. Also 200 cannon hereafter to be placed on Shiloh National Park, May 13th, 1897." Lt. Laurens Wolcott is standing at...

GLC00653.11.34

Calling Card for Laurens Wolcott

GLC00653.11.35

Photograph of Lt. Laurens Wolcott

Inscription on back reads: "Lt. Laurens W. Wolcott. 52nd Ills. Vol. Inf." Published by Tompkins' N.Y. Gallery, 34 Canal St., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

GLC00653.11.36

Wolcott Coat of Arms

In Latin it reads: "Nullius Addictus Jurare In Verba Magistri," ["(being) not obliged to swear allegiance to a master."]

GLC00653.11.37

[Laurens Wolcott]

Photo bust of Lt. Laurens W. Wolcott.

GLC00653.11.38

[Print of General Philip Henry Sheridan]

Depicts Sheridan seated in military uniform, hat in hand, with a sword leaning against a table beside him. He appears to be in a tent. Possibly based on an 1864 photograph by Mathew Brady, though the tent and chair have been slightly altered in the...

GLC00653.12.02

Diary of Eseck G. Wilber

Entries are pretty regular from March 1863 to July of that same year. He mainly records the daily weather. but does mention being a prisoner and some of activities there.

GLC00653.15.1

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes a detailed letter to his brother in which he discusses the Battle of Bull Run (fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia). He reports 500 Confederate soldiers were killed, another 1500 wounded, and some 7,000 or...

GLC00653.20.02

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. He discusses the Confederacy's "brilliant naval victory" in Hampton Roads, between the Merrimac and the Monitor. He also reports the damages inflicted on the Union frigates, the Cumberland, the Congress...

GLC00653.20.05

to his mother

GLC00653.21.01

to his mother

Henry F. Spencer describes his regiment's travels through Maryland and Pennsylvania, and mentions the Battle of Gettysburg, though does not go into much detail. Also mentions exchanging fire on July 4, evidently the last of the skirmishing after the...

GLC00653.21.03

to his Father

Letter written from Drummondtown, present-day Accomac, Virginia.

GLC00653.21.04

to his Parents

Letter written from "Camp Burnside near Point Isabel" (likely Point Isabele), present-day Burnside, Kentucky.

GLC00653.21.05

to his Parents

Letter written from "Poplars Grove Church," Virginia.

GLC00653.21.09

Ellsworth Avengers

Song entitled "Ellsworth Avengers."

GLC00653.21.10

to father and mother

He has written them several times since arriving here but has only received two letters. He will not write again until he receives another letter. "There was a fight on our lines last night." His comrades killed or captured about 300 enemy soldiers....

GLC00653.22.04

to sister

George B. Cook got his sister's letter from Eli Howell, who brought the letter from Salisbury. He got marching orders at 11:00 PM last night to go to Richmond to bury General [Gracy], who was killed by Union artillery. He is currently in a very...

GLC00653.22.06

to family

This letter is printed on half of a regimental attendance sheet, perhaps demonstrating the lack of paper in the Confederate camp. He is well and hopes these lines find them in a similar condition. "We are having some very [cold] weather here." It...

GLC00653.22.08

to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter dated December 25, 1864, which he received this evening. He can only enjoy Christmas so much when there are thousands of shells falling around him every hour. Fortunately, no one in the company was...

GLC00653.22.11

to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 19th. He is glad to hear all is well with her but sorry to hear about Frank's sickness. He hopes he will get home soon. "I think this war will soon end." He heard word of a 60-day armistice...

GLC00653.22.13

to mother

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from January 22, 1865. Not much news to report. There is "a heap" of talk about peace. Everyone believes the war is coming to an end. "The boys will all run away if they [aren't] fed a little better."...

GLC00653.22.14

to sister

George B. Cook is writing in reply to his sister's letter from the 9th. He is well; hopes she is too. He got the box they sent through Mr. Bailey. He did not need tobacco, as it "is an article I have quit using." He sends the box home; asks her to...

GLC00653.22.16

[Carte-de-visite of Henry W. Halleck]

Carte-de-visite of Henry W. Halleck, printed by D. Appleton & Co.

GLC00664.02

[Carte-de-visite of Major General George B. McClellan and his wife]

Carte-de-visite of McClellan and his wife Ellen Marcy McClellan. Titled "Maj. Gen. Geo B. McClellan and Lady."

GLC00664.03

to Elvira Winegar

They got 4 months pay. He expressed 75 dollars to her. It will be some time before they leave their present location.

GLC01014.185

[Diary of Benjamin F. Thomas]

Book intended for use as diary for 1864. Earliest entry near back of book for November 1864, then returns to front of book for start of 1865. Last entry is two weeks before Thomas is mustered out. No entries from 27 March 1865 through 9 April 1865...

GLC01016.01

The Conscription Act: a Series of Articles Communicated to the Journal of Commerce

Published by the Loyal Publication Society of New York. Number 7 in a series. Printed by William C. Bryant & Co. A.F. Warburton reported the text of Butler's speech. Major-General Butler refers to the Confederate States as "alien enemies" who are...

GLC01265.01

The Conscription Act: a Series of Articles Communicated to the Journal of Commerce

Pamphlet No. 40 in a series published by the Loyal Publication Society of New York. Printed by W. C. Bryant & Co. The essays, numbered 1, 2, and 3, were published on November 18th, 21st, and 24th respectively.
Written in response to the decision...

GLC01265.03

The Future of the Country

Proposes solutions for the reconstruction of the Union. Criticizes the idea of a national convention where rebel Southerners and Union victors can meet on equal terms. Concludes by stating that it is important for citizens to organize nation-wide...

GLC01265.04

Brief Appeals for the Loyal Cause

Published by John W. Amerman. Includes two addresses given in New York City, resolutions and a poem. The first address, given at Union Square, was delivered at a war meeting which was called by various committees in response to an appeal of President...

GLC01265.14

The Wrongs to Missouri's Loyal People

Speech given before a convention at Jefferson City, Missouri on September 1 , 1863. Denounces the "conservatives" of Missouri as disloyal secessionists and Southern sympathizers. Expresses his outrage for the injustices done to the loyal people of...

GLC01265.18