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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 Hannah E. Russell

Writes to wife from camp outside of Somerset, Kentucky. Admonishes wife for making fun of his living conditions. Informs her that their living conditions have not improved and that they are upon hard times. Describes having to march on three...

GLC03523.50.06

to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife listing everywhere they have been. They marched out of Bargetown, Kentucky on 13 December heading for Lebanon, Kentucky. Around 80 soldiers fell sick and had to stay behind. Writes that he fell sick and was told by the doctor to...

GLC03523.50.07

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports they buried a man yesterday who was killed in battle. They marched 30 miles to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Discusses visiting the Michigan Museum, the law department, and the medical department while in Ann Arbor....

GLC03523.52.05

to Mary Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Describes the "great battle" [the Battle of Chickamauga] that is taking place. Notes his regiment has been in the battle since the beginning. Writes they fell back five miles and have been fortifying ever since....

GLC03523.52.14

to Libbie Kessler

Writes to his friend from Camp Blue Springs. Discusses the weather. Notes they will not be doing any hard marches before the fall of Richmond, Virginia. Writes, "the fall of Richmond which I judge will come to pass before long for Gen. grant is...

GLC03523.52.43

to A. P. Kessler [incomplete]

Writes to his father. Discusses the farm and the prospects of his father buying a new farm. Comments he does not believe he will be fit enough to work on a farm or to do any hard work. Reports on a battle that took place a week ago. Notes they...

GLC03523.52.47

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Reports after marching 50 miles from Annapolis, Maryland, they finally arrived in Alexandria, Virginia. Writes, "it was Hard for us not doing anything for so long a time I am not able to walk today as my feet are...

GLC03523.52.51

to his friends

Writes to his friends. Describes being in some hard fighting. Writes, "the shells came poring in like Hail stone only had more affect than a hail stone would have…" Reports driving the enemy back and capturing their artillery. Complains about the...

GLC03523.52.54

to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are...

GLC03523.52.56

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Informs him he received the memorandum book, paper, envelopes, and stamps. Discusses the hot weather. Notes they have plenty of ice water, lemonade, and a sutler who supplies almost everything. Reports they are preparing for...

GLC03523.52.57

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has...

GLC03523.52.58

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Writes his regiment was ordered to the front last night but nothing happened. Describes their lieutenant getting shot in the face. Reports his old colonel is back in...

GLC03523.52.59

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports it is very hot and many men are sick. Comments his regiment was relieved from the front lines and they are now camped out in an open field without any shade. Complains about not having any luxuries and every...

GLC03523.52.60

to his friends

Writes to his friends. Reports some artillery firing and little picket firing. Discusses what his life would be like if he never enlisted. Writes, "we live to much on the heathen style Here have not much respect for each other especialy [sic] the...

GLC03523.52.61

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Expresses his loneliness and boredom with the army. Reports on the fighting in Petersburg, Virginia. Describes soldiering and what a waste war is. Writes, "It is just calling young men from home and Bringing them...

GLC03523.52.63

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg...

GLC03523.52.68

to John T. Pickett

Discusses the secession of the South and the movement of the Union Army into Savannah and Charleston. Reports on the South's success at Leesburg and at Columbus, Kentucky. Includes personal news. Affixed clippings pertain to the arrest of...

GLC03587.38

to John Cripps

Discusses the unreliability of the mail. Criticizes the "gentleman from Jerusalem" who oversees the Ministerio de Relaciones and describes the "shabby" treatment extended. Explains how his expenses were cut but is glad Cripps upheld his duty of...

GLC03587.41

to John Cripps

Hand delivered by Major Calhoun Benham who is on his way to Sonora, Mexico. Hopes that Cripps can assist Benham in his travel plans. Adds that Benham has seen some fantastic action in the Civil War and being a great storyteller, Edmondston...

GLC03587.43

Incidents of the War. Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run, Va. March, 1862.

The ruins of the small bridge occupy the front and center of the image. A man sits on the ruins on the left-hand side of the image. The desolate, battle-scarred Manassas landscape fills the background. Negative by Barnard & Gibson, positive by A...

GLC03588.01

Dunker Church, Battle-Field of Antietam, Maryland. No. 21. July, 1863.

Negative by J. Gardner, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1866. Taken almost a year after the battle, damage from shells and bullets are still visible in the facade of the this simple, white building. Two civilian men pose near the far corner of the...

GLC03588.02

Fredericksburg, Virginia. No. 30. February, 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1865. A view of Fredericksburg from across the Rappahannock River. The stone pilings of a ruined bridge cross the river in the center of the image. There is some damage in the bottom right...

GLC03588.03

Incidents of the War. Gettysburg. July, 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1865. A view taken from Cemetery Ridge, looking into town. Two men stand on the road in the immediate foreground. A group of tents is located in the field just in front of the town.

GLC03588.04

Incidents of the War. Interior of Breastworks on Round Top, Gettysburg. July, 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1865. The image shows the stones and boulders built into defensive walls by union forces. A book or notebook lays on top of a boulder on the right-hand side of the photograph. Wooden poles...

GLC03588.05

Incidents of the War. Gateway of the Cemetery, Gettysburg. July 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, c 1865. The Evergreen [civilian] Cemetery with lunettes in the foreground, across the roads from the cemetery gates. A buggy has stopped on the road near the entrance to the cemetery. The image...

GLC03588.06

Incidents of the War. Headquarters of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, during the Battle of Gettysburg. July, 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1865. A view of Lydia Leister's house from the front with a civilian man and woman on the porch. Some damage to the side of the house is visible. The image has an accompanying text leaf.

GLC03588.07

Castle Murray, near Auburn, Virginia. No. 47. November, 1863

Negative by T. H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, circa 1865. A group of tents occupy the foreground with the castle looming in the back. A small gathering of men sit and stand in the immediate foreground.

GLC03588.08

Ruins of Petersburg and Richmond Railroad Bridge, across the James. No. 88. April, 1864

The image shows the ruins of a stone railroad bridge crossing the James River. The corner of a burned out building is visible on the right-hand side of the photograph. A wooden bridge has been built next to the ruins. The image has an accompanying...

GLC03588.09

No. 145. Battery on Extreme Right Front of Gen. Foster's Line, North Side of James River, July 10, 1864

The image shows three artillery crews standing ready at their guns inside a fort. Two limbers are visible on the right-hand side of the image.

GLC03588.10

U. S. Hospital Look-out Mt. No. 14.

A pencil inscription reads, "James F. Rusling. Nash[ville]" on front. The image shows a large two story wooden building. A large pile of lumber is visible on the far left of the image. Soldiers sit in the shade along the side of the building. The...

GLC03588.12

Trossell's [sic] House, Battlefield of Gettysburg. No 42 July, 1863

"Trossell's [sic] House, Battlefield of Gettysburg. No 42 July, 1863" (Gardner's Sketchbook, plate #43). Negative by Timothy O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner, c 1865. A view of the house showing damage the done by artillery fire. A multitude of...

GLC03588.15

Pontoon Bridges, Across the Rappahannock

Text leaf from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook. This text leafs describes "Pontoon Bridges, Across the Rappahannock" (plate 32). There is no photo to go with this text page.

GLC03588.17

to William T. Sherman

Addressed to "My dear Cump," Sherman's nickname. Informs that he, Ellen (Sherman's wife), and Thomas Ewing (Philomen's father and Sherman's adoptive father), have discussed some problems vexing Sherman. He writes, "As to Mason there can be no doubt...

GLC03601.03

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

to his family

Responds to a letter received from home inquiring about his housing situation and the layout of the island. Also discredits accounts of the battle that his family has picked up, such as the rumor that Colonel Russell, one of the men killed in the...

GLC03603.081

to his family

Provides more details about the battle in an effort to answer some of his family's questions. Writes that the regiment is preparing to leave Roanoke Island and that the Governor survived the passage by ship and the battle.

GLC03603.082

to his family

Mentions the boredom of being on the ship again. Describes a passing ship giving news of Burnside being promoted to Major General and that Nashville has been taken as well as 8,000 prisoners. Written on board the ship "the Sentinal," at Roanoke...

GLC03603.084

to his family

Writes of his regiment being ordered back to Newbern as soon as transportation can be arrived. Looks forward to going to a city and being able to read about the battle in a newspaper.

GLC03603.101

to his family

Writes of leaving Newbern by train and waiting to board a steam ship that would take the troops to an unknown destination. Before the steam ship can depart, word comes from General Burnside of the capture of Richmond and negates the need for the...

GLC03603.119

to his family

Writes of the trip to Fort Monroe by boat. There are speculations as to their destination but Coit believes they are being sent as reinforcements to General McClellan. Writes, "I shall go into battle confident that God will again show forth his great...

GLC03603.120

to his family

Writes, "I have no doubt that Richmond will be ours within a week." False news of a defeat of McClellan's Brigade had reached the regiment only to be replaced with news of a victory. The 8th regiment is to join McClellan's Brigade once other...

GLC03603.121

to his family

Writes that his regiment set up camp and were promptly called to support batteries. Reports that he and Lieutenant Shepard ate dinner at a private house. They have been expecting to be called into battle for a few days and are able to see other...

GLC03603.143

to his family

He starts "Praised to God I am entirely free from even a scratch after the terrible + bloody battle of yesterday." Describes the Battle of Antietam and says that Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant Shepard were both wounded. Believes the regiment acted...

GLC03603.144

to his family

Writes more about the outcome of the battle. The regiment has guarded a bridge most of the day while the rebel soldiers have possession of the battlefield. Some of the dead and wounded Union troops are still in the field but cannot be retrieved...

GLC03603.145