Collection Search

to John Reeser

Informs Reeser that he received the money, stamps, boots, and gloves that were sent to him but has not received the tobacco. Writes of a man named Polk being in the hospital. Speaks of this "god dam war," General [William T.] Sherman, and other...

GLC03523.43.22

to John Reeser

Complains how long it takes Reeser to answer his letters. Writes about burying a man at the hospital. Says that there was "a old ded horse laying close beside me and the smell of him would kill rats." Tells of a conversation that he had with his...

GLC03523.43.23

to John Reeser

Says that he is in good health and has enough to eat and a good place to sleep. Writes of the barracks being over crowded and more men piling in. Says nothing has taken place for a few days, however, a group of men may be sent out this afternoon....

GLC03523.43.24

to his sister

Writes to his sister from Camp Biddle. Complains that he has only received one letter from her. Comments that he received a "kind" letter from Edwin yesterday but none from her. Writes that their tent is comfortable and that they have a flower in...

GLC03523.43.25

to John Reeser

Thanks him for his letter and comments that he doesn't always receive them. Says that the railroad has been very bad lately and that they cannot receive any mail from them. Reports that he cannot go into town unless he takes a guard with him and...

GLC03523.43.26

[Civil war era belt]

Black leather belt with faded striped red and gold overlay. The belt has a heavy rectangular metal buckle with an eagle emblem and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Fragile. Leather rotting and cracking in places. Fabric is slightly deteriorated.

GLC03523.43.28

[Civil war era suspenders]

Black leather suspender with faded striped red and gold overlay. The suspender has gold toned hardware on it. Fragile. Leather rotting and cracking in places. Fabric is slightly deteriorated.

GLC03523.43.29

to his father

Writes to his father from Camp Curtain. Says that they received marching orders to leave tomorrow morning. Says that they might go to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania but it is not for certain. The Captain said that they might be in the hottest part of...

GLC03523.49.02

to sister

Writes to his sister from Camp Biddle. Reports that the camp is empty except for a few picket guards placed to guard the railroad. Comments that they are surrounded by secessionists who are armed. Says that the pickets are shot at almost every...

GLC03523.49.03

to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports of his crew going on a "foraging" and returning with 102 loads of corn and 20 loads of oats and hay. Describes having a good turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. A man named Bill Waldron purchased a...

GLC03523.49.05

to his father and his sister, Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his father and sister from Camp Pierpont. Says that he received his letter and the cheese that his mother sent. Mentions having very cold weather for this part of the country. Says that they only have boards, no furs, in their tents to...

GLC03523.49.06

to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Speaks of a friend named John choosing to "serve god." Comments that he is fond of Professor Waldon and believes him to be a "clever honest fellow." Says that they recently purchased a stove that smokes a...

GLC03523.49.07

to Don

Writes from Camp Pierpont. Wants Don to visit and see what camp life is like. Tells of the different kinds of societies that exist in camp. Inside the tents he states that there is usually gambling and card playing, even amongst the officers and...

GLC03523.49.09

to his sister

Writes that they have been heading up the James River since last Saturday. Reports that the rebels broke through General George McClellan's right and came upon them. They did not have enough force to defend that point and were ordered to leave....

GLC03523.49.10

to his mother

Writes about the preacher at camp. Comments that he is a good man but is not very smart. Says that he went to the preacher last night and was given a prayer book. States that he reads a chapter in the testament out loud every night before retiring...

GLC03523.49.11

to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to sister from Rappahannock Station. Comments about it being so dry that it is difficult to get water. Says that there is a spring nearby but there is hardly enough water to supply the regiment. Says that he misses home and looks forward to...

GLC03523.49.12

to sister

Writes to his sister from Culpepper Station. Talks about the boys making fun of a man named Greenleaf who recently arrived in camp. Comments that he likes Greenleaf and finds him an "honest fellow." Tells his sister that she is foolish for...

GLC03523.49.13

to sister

Describes leaving Rappahannock and having the rebels close on their heels. Says that the rebels continued to follow them until they crossed the river. Writes that they were not able to cross back over the river until the next evening. They sent...

GLC03523.49.14

to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday...

GLC03523.49.15

to his sister and parents

Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Frémont....

GLC03523.49.16

to father

Writes to his father from Harrison's Landing. Informs him that he sent twenty dollars home with a man named C. B. Riggs. Instructs his father to use the money to "the best advantage." Letter is faded. Letter has an image of a soldier printed on...

GLC03523.49.17

to mother

Writes to his mother from Harrison's Landing. Comments about the warm weather that they are having. Says that it is thundering and he hopes that it rains so they will get water. Reports that Lieutenant Forrest is at home and does not believe that...

GLC03523.49.18

to Hannah E. Russell and friends

Writes to wife that they are preparing to march. Describes leaving Mansfield, Ohio and traveling by train to Cincinnati, Ohio. Writes that they traveled by steamboat to Kentucky where they camped out at the edge of Louisville, Kentucky. Says that...

GLC03523.50.01

to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife. Wishes that he could visit home but says that the colonel will not allow any furloughs. Comments that they now have their arms and equipment. Wants her not to fret about him and to take care of his "Dear little babes," and not...

GLC03523.50.02

to Hannah E. Russell

Writes that he is over 400 miles from home and is in the heart of the enemy. Reports that they marched for four days in hot weather with their knapsacks on their backs and their guns on their shoulders. On their third day, over 100 men fell out of...

GLC03523.50.03