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to Will Allen

Writes to his brother Will. Says he got a letter from their other brother George, which says he is well. Is glad that Will is getting along so well "in the Lodge" -- the Masonic Lodge. Says there are many Masons; on the Potomac Flotilla with him and...

GLC02829.16

to his sister

Seems to have been written during the build up for the Peninsula Campaign. Left New York on Monday last and arrived on Wendesday in Hampton Roads. Says there are many war vessels in the harbor as an expedition is ready to go up the river to Yorktown...

GLC02829.17

To his wife

Pay day. Describing feelings in battle: "If you want to know just how I felt when I went into battle it would be hard telling exactly but in the first place I felt most d---d tired other ways I felt well enough, wasn't at all afraid [of] the idea...

GLC04558.015

To his wife

Expedition to and battle at Elizabeth City [Camden, N.C. 4/19] described at length: 12 hour forced march of 35 miles, fatigue, errors in battle formation, thrown back and reformation in woods: "We were rallyed again here under the shelter of the...

GLC04558.020

To his wife

Clothing, trimming his hair, shell-collecting, "I hope that McClellan will bag the whole nest of rebels at Yorktown...." Describes how he drills with equipment and mentions a Burnside order "directing us to inscribe on our colors the words Camden...

GLC04558.022

To his wife

Soldiers leaving on furlough, one of whom "told us that the Dickinson Guards might kiss his [drawing of donkey]...." Describes men pretending sickness to avoid drill, salute for capture of New Orleans. "You must excuse the looks of this sheet for I...

GLC04558.023

To his wife

Mail call and man's epileptic seizure, rumor of Richmond's capture, news accounts of battle at Camden.

GLC04558.024

To his wife

Re-joining regiment, likes camp. "Scouting parties are sent out every day who frequently have scermishes with parties of the enemy and unless the rebels play their scadaddle game their [sic] will soon be bloody work done." Expects to leave, but...

GLC04558.036

To his wife

Signed "your affectionate Husband" and addressed to "Mrs. A.E. Tillotson." Joking to his wife at how quickly haying was done on the farm: "I suppose that that fifth hand with petticoats on is what drove business, dont you think so?" Diarrhea...

GLC04558.040

to his wife

Holding themselves in readiness, rumors on Burnside, McClellan. "We have just got news that the president has issued a proclamation freeing all the slaves on the first of January. It may be for the best but stil my hopes (if I had any) of a speedy...

GLC04558.044

To his wife

More diarrhea "about all I eat is parched corn or a little grated meal made into pudding...." asks for money, mentions recruiting by other soldiers, reports battle across the river, troops held in readiness. the letter is continued on October 18th.

GLC04558.049

To his wife

On premises of Rebel Gen. Wright who is home as paroled prisoner. Expecting battle, mentioning enlisted soldiers.

GLC04558.052

To his wife

Marching. Near the Rappahannock and approaching Fredericksburg. Mentions artillery fighting, and long discussion of stealing from Confederate civilians: "Notwithstanding all the orders to the contrary, we soldiers dont considder [sic] it much sin...

GLC04558.053

To his wife

Written in pencil while on guard duty. Marching, Burnsides sending flag of truce to civilians telling them to leave, farm business.

GLC04558.054

To his wife

Rainy weather, rebels hold city, rebel pickets taunting about election, Bull Run and Antietam; Colonel courtmartialed twice for drunkenness but cleared, Colonel and regiment's surgeon trying to get regiment out of battle area, soldiers mutilating...

GLC04558.055

To his wife

Interrupted by orders and drills. Reports rebels fortifying heights beyond Fredericksburg, believes they are equal or superior in numbers, re-building the same depot as done last year, comment about blacks riding the railroad while soldier walk...

GLC04558.056

To his wife

Continued January 3 ["Dec."]. Written in pencil. Increasing strictness of the colonel for infractions, mentions that soldier mutilating himself (cutting off thumb) was court-martialed and sentenced to hard labor and half-pay for rest of service...

GLC04558.060

To his wife

Drilling, describes detail work for loading supplies, size of regiment: 13 discharged, 10 deserted, 2 died,2 killed in battle and 26 absent. Punishments for deserters described, jokes about needing a drum to organize his life when he returns home...

GLC04558.061

To his wife

Sending photograph to wife "one of the crossest sourest looking fellows imagineable." Regarding the war effort: "If they make any offensive movement here I dont know what it will be unless 'On to Richmond' and the General that undertakes that will...

GLC04558.062

To his wife

Homesick, marching stopped by heavy rains. Regarding stopped attempt of 9th Corps to cross the Rappahannock: "...I think myself that it would have ended the war and that is the opinion of all the soldiers here, for we should undoubtedly would have...

GLC04558.064

to his family

Mentions that the regiment has received word that they must be ready to leave Annapolis at 12 hours notice. There is uncertainty as to where they are headed but he expresses fear that he will not be brave enough for battle. Discusses the skills and...

GLC03603.059

to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Mentions still being anchored in the sound and finally receiving mail from home. Discusses what he is reading and how he wishes he had brought a book of poetry. Reports receiving a pair of stockings from...

GLC03603.069

to his family

The first part of this letter (5 February) is written while still onboard the Sentinel while the second part (8 February) is written after the Battle of Roanoke. Reports that the 8th Regiment sustained no loses. Coit was not very engaged in this...

GLC03603.076

to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Comments that there are so many rumors about the battle that he would be glad to receive General Burnside's report when it appears in the newspaper. Gives more details about the battle and says "it was rather...

GLC03603.078

to his family

Responds to 5 letters he has received from his family and reacts to news about his Uncle George's illness. Writes about taking a soldier from another company as his orderly until he is fully recovered. Mentions promotions within the regiment and...

GLC03603.080