Collection Search

to John Damuth

Describes the daily routine of the soldiers, who "sharp shoot day times and stand picket and dig rifle pits nights." Some men are about to attempt to infiltrate a nearby Rebel fort. The life of the soldiers laying siege to Vicksburg is filled with...

GLC03523.14.29

to Maria Damuth

Writes about the surrender of Vicksburg the day before: "you could see white flags on all of thear works it was the happyest 4th of July I ever saw." Is going on an expedition to Black River. Describes the defeated Rebels scavenging for food. The...

GLC03523.14.32

to Maria Damuth

The men have turned around and he thinks they may be heading back to New Orleans. On their return path, they meet some mounted Rebel soldiers and engage in a skirmish until the Rebels are driven back. Eagerly anticipates voting for the Union ticket...

GLC03523.14.40

to John and Joan Damuth

Describes a battle in which the Union men chased the Rebel cavalry to Opelousas. After the battle, the Union forces camped in Barron's Landing, Louisiana, for eight days. The men believe that any expedition to Texas has been forgotten. They...

GLC03523.14.41

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about doing guard duty on a plantation near camp. The soldiers encounter enslaved people who remained living on the plantation. Damuth purchases food from them and enters their homes. Describes that the enslaved people observe...

GLC03523.14.42

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about a skirmish between Union cavalry and Rebel mounted infantry a few days earlier, "we heard the canon very plain but it was 4 mils away from here." Mentions rumors that many infantry regiments have been transformed into...

GLC03523.14.43

to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are waiting to fight. A battle is going to take place at Pleasant Hill, thirty-five miles from their campsite. Tells a story about some men out on picket the day before who were captured by a plantation owner who "mad his negros...

GLC03523.14.52

to Maria Damuth

Writes his sister that the "29 have been in a fight and nearly all killed wounded and taken prisoners 5 companys were engaged and out of 180 men we lost 64." Lists the fates of various family friends. After the fight, the men meet new recruits at...

GLC03523.14.53

to Maria Damuth

Writes his sister to describe the battles of the previous few days in more detail, with particular attention to the amount of marching his company engaged in and the specific places where friends died. Writes about the moment of realizing "our Co...

GLC03523.14.54

to Maria Damuth

Describes being put on emergency picket outside town two days before. Damuth enjoys standing guard and complains only of the lack of blankets during the night. Tells of his fears during the night, wondering "which one of us had got to fall this...

GLC03523.14.55

to Maria Damuth

Has recently arrived at a new camp on the Mississippi River, twelve miles from [Carrollton]. Damuth does not know why the men are there: "I cant see anything to guard except fences houses and hog pens." Says that it is too hot for the men to march...

GLC03523.14.60

to Maria Damuth

Reports the deaths of more members of Company D at a fight against the Confederate Army on the Atchafalaya River. Mourns a friend and writes, "I cant think otherwise than that cotton and whiskey was the cause of Jeromes death… I do know that a great...

GLC03523.14.63

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister with little war news, there has not been recent action, and Damuth says, "I sleep most of my time." There have been rumors that the men will be moved to the Potomac. The men have received information about "the great fight that...

GLC03523.14.64

to Maria Damuth

Writes about the soldiers who died in the skirmish on the Atchafalaya. A few days earlier, a "big scare down to Baton Rouge" caused the officers to load all the men into boats; the men fell asleep and woke up the next morning still in port, and...

GLC03523.14.65

to Damuth family

Sends a list of the killed, dead, sick, wounded and discharged. Writes about action at an unidentified battle. Letter written some time after "the fight at Champion Hills."

GLC03523.14.82

to Emily Brown

Reports a slight wound on his left leg. They have been in fighting position for over 50 hours but are doing well under Grant. "Oh when I come home I shall have plenty to tell you that I cannot now." Sends a belt buckle from a dead Rebel for Jed....

GLC03523.15.08

to Sister Mamie

Discusses the "[t]errible" battle of Bull Run and the poor conditions of camp life, including difficult marches and poor diet. Discusses the execution of a "Zouave" soldier in camp for the "crime of murder." Also makes reference to the politics of...

GLC03523.18.01

to Sister Mamie

Mentions receipt of socks, gloves and diary from home. References Battle of Fredericksburg, Union Commander William S. Rosecrans and the Battle of Murfreesboro. Also comments on General W. T. Brooks' thoughts on the 2nd Regiment and their courage...

GLC03523.18.02

to Sister Mamie

Provides an illustration and description of Union and Confederate battle formations including skirmish lines, lines of battle for infantry, batteries, and reserves. Mentions his promotion to orderly sergeant, and details the duties associated with...

GLC03523.18.03

to Sister Mamie

Discusses the Second Battle of Fredericksburg and the death of his tent mate who was "shot dead after we gained the [Marye's] heights." Wishes "the President would put his conscription in force for one million of men…and make putting down the...

GLC03523.18.04

to parents

Describes fighting during Wilderness Campaign and the death of Captain Orville Bixby. Lists casualties and includes a description of battle. Praises and gives thanks to God for sparing his life during fighting, and provides an account of being...

GLC03523.18.09

to parents

Discusses "very hard fighting" in recent battles, and lists the names of the men from the regiment killed in action. Most likely referencing the battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse that occurred on 12 May, though this is not indicated in the letter...

GLC03523.18.10

to parents

Discusses the Baltimore convention and nomination of the next president. Requests newspaper announcing winner of nomination. Writes of skirmishes during and after Battle of Cold Harbor. Describes in detail the circumstances surrounding the deaths...

GLC03523.18.12

to parents

Reports on conditions at Cold Harbor, and details the regiment's plan to cross the James River. Describes a recent meal: "I have just been to dinner and what do you guess I had? It was this good nice ham, coffee, and hard-tack soacked soft in cold...

GLC03523.18.13

to parents

Writes from camp outside of the city of Petersburg. References General Ulysses S. Grant's suggestion to consolidate regiment into six companies. Describes, in detail, the troops' five-day march from Cold Harbor to present location. Expects hard...

GLC03523.18.14

to mother

Reports that he is under fire nearly everyday. Describes capture of the 4th Regiment and one battallion of the 11th Vermont Regiment. Also mentions the consolidation of 6 companies.

GLC03523.18.15

to parents

Discusses George B. McClellan's oration at West Point. Describes Edwin M. Stanton's lack of respect towards McClellan, and Lincoln's efforts to "allow it to be so." Recounts fighting and near death experience during the Battle of Spotsylvania...

GLC03523.18.18

to parents

Reports on a delay in getting mail, and mentions marching in extreme heat: "I never saw so many men sun stroke in any one during all my service... I hear there were 7 men of the 11th regiment died in consequence of hard marching and the excessive...

GLC03523.18.20

to parents

Reports on his first day of service as 1st Lieutenant of Company "C" of the 2nd Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Encamped near Brickeystown, Maryland. Mentions Captain [Nathaniel] Wales' injury during the Battle of the Wilderness. Discusses a delay in...

GLC03523.18.21

to parents

References battle of Charlestown, Virginia. Provides full account of being shot in the leg by "Johnnie Rebs." Describes the circumstances surrounding the shooting and deaths of other members of the Union army. Provides a description of the hospital...

GLC03523.18.24

to mother

Mentions recent victories and discusses General James Longstreet's command of the enemy at Fisher's Hill. Talks of a trip to rejoin his regiment after injury. Also includes reference to the fight at Middletown, and General Philip H. Sheridan's...

GLC03523.18.28

to friends at home

Recounts battles occurring on 19 October, most likely the Battle of Cedar Creek. Mentions General Philip Sheridan's influence on the morale of troops and Horatio Gouverneur Wright's inability to command. Recounts retreat of rebels: "...they broke...

GLC03523.18.29

to parents

Writes from camp near Winchester, Virginia. Discusses those back home going to church on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings. Envisions friends back home in the "vestry" praying for the defenders "…engaged in deadly strife but our cause is holy and we...

GLC03523.18.32

to mother

Writes from Camp Russell, near Winchester, Virginia. Explains that the camp's namesake, General David A. Russell, was killed in action during General Philip S. Sheridan's campaign in the valley. References Sheridan's orders for the 2nd Vermont to...

GLC03523.18.33

to mother

Written from Camp in front of Petersburg, Virginia, "near Fort Hell." Rejoined the Army of the Potomac. Discusses travels from Camp Russell, including twenty-five hours of "severe" suffering, many of which were spent traveling through the snow in...

GLC03523.18.36

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Requests letters from home, "now that trains run into camp every evening." Reports that he is positioned in front of "Kershaw's (rebel) division," a division he has met several times before: in the valley...

GLC03523.18.37

to father

Written to his father from a camp near Petersburg. Mentions receipt of a "family" letter from him. Says he is glad to hear his father's store is doing well. Mentions defeat of Confederate gunboats on their way to City Point to disrupt Union supply...

GLC03523.18.44

to uncle

Written to his uncle James Brown. Mentions business between his father and uncle. Discusses the fighting of the 5th corps, the prospect of peace, and conditions of settlement.

GLC03523.18.47

to mother

Describes hard fighting of the 5th corps "on the left." Reports the promotion of "several officers," which means he will not have to fight so often. Enclosures include photographs and a newspaper clipping of a poem entitled "Sheridan's Ride."

GLC03523.18.48

to Rueben Morey Jr.

Written to Rueben Morey Jr., the father of Charles C. Morey, regarding the events surrounding the death of his son: "He was killed in action near Petersburg yesterday after noon. Was shot in the shoulder by grape shot, breaking it badly…he lived...

GLC03523.18.56

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from the trenches at Yorktown. Reports he has been sick for three days due to the constant rain. Expresses appreciation for her constant love in his absence. Mentions the enemy's fort at Gloucester point and constant shelling...

GLC03523.20.01

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a battle field three miles outside Manassas Junction. Describes in detail a fierce battle that lasted five hours and resulted in 60 killed or wounded soldiers. Expects another large battle soon.

GLC03523.20.03

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Inquires about the shirt and socks she sent him. Informs her the gun he fires into Petersburg is called the Petersburg Express and takes fourteen seconds to reach its target. Mentions...

GLC03523.20.11

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses how down-hearted and lonesome he feels. Reports heavy artillery on the picket lines, even at night. Informs her they will use new thirteen inch mortar shells that weigh 200...

GLC03523.20.12

to Henry F. McSherry

Extremely faded letter with water damage and mold. Written by Eliza to her brother Henry in the U.S. Navy. Seems that several of Henry's friends have been killed. She says she especially is sad at the loss of Holmes and tries to console him. Says "I...

GLC03523.21.11

to Henry F. McSherry

Letter is faded because of water damage. Says the letters sent on 10 December might not have reached him yet. Says they heard of him from Kate Dandridge who received a letter from Kate Latrobe, who had just seen him. The letter said he "looked so sad...

GLC03523.21.14

to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Not signed, but handwriting matches previous signed letters by Anna. Refeneces receiving Henry's previous letter. Thought the danger he was in was over, but then they heard about the attack on Fort Fisher and...

GLC03523.21.37

to Stockton Bates

He writes while squatting on the ground with his portfolio on his knees. Describes the soldier's life with the bulk of time spent in marching: "marching is what breaks the men down so much; they hate it worse than they do fighting." He prefers...

GLC03523.23.02

to Stockton Bates

Describes the recuperation following the battle of Rappahannock due to mismanagement. The men are discouraged and do not support the recent presidential proclamation. There is constant effort to increase comfort, building log structures in camp...

GLC03523.23.05

to Stockton Bates

Recounts recent battles, during which their colonel was killed and 50 soldiers were killed and wounded, losing in total 107 of 350 in the regiment and 1100 of 2300 in the division. Believes that Fredericksburg cannot be taken: "Every strip of woods...

GLC03523.23.14