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to Sister Ellen

He describes the town of Rome as an interesting place. The town is mainly filled with the sick and wounded now. Apparently General Sherman told General Corse to "make his men comfortable if it took every house in Rome."

GLC00653.11.09

to Sister Mary

They camped near Jonesboro and then they went up to Eastpoint. They are now camped inside rebel fortifications. During this time, they had been without shelter but for a single rubber blanket. He tells a story of how Sherman manages to fool Hood. The...

GLC00653.11.10

to Mother

Atlanta is now in their possession. He describes the operation. Letter was written near Lovejoy, Georgia.

GLC00653.11.11

to Mother

They are now in reserve but are constantly getting shot at. General Dodge got struck in the head by a musket. A deserter came in the other day giving them information about Hood.

GLC00653.11.12

to Sister Mary

He reports all the fun they had for the past 9 days. They've had picnics and seen fireworks for the Fourth of July. But now they are back at work building an advanced entrenchment.

GLC00653.11.13

to Father

Last Thursday they managed to push back the rebel skirmishers but after two hours they were forced back to their original position. He heard that Clearland has Typhoid fever and he will visit him. They expect to get paid soon.

GLC00653.11.14

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

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

to Andrew Atkinson Humphreys

This report, signed twice by Major General Philip H. Sheridan, describes the nearly disastrous Wilson-Kautz Raid of June 22-30, 1864. Sheridan tells Major General A. A. Humphreys, the Army of the Potomac's chief of staff, about his efforts to find...

GLC00653.12.01

[Collection of Henry J. Waltz, Company I, 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry]

Autograph manuscript signed by Waltz, a Lieutenant in I Company of the 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered from service in 1864. Diary entries include Battles of Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Ana, and Cold Harbor. Includes...

GLC00653.13

[Diary of Herbert L. Smalley]

Autograph manuscript. Smalley served in Company A of the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Consists of a small black pocketbook. A note inside the diary says it was found on a battlefield by another soldier. Includes entries Second Bull Run and Antietam...

GLC00653.14

[Collection of Eseck G. Wilber] [Decimalized .01- .05]

Consists of one signed diary (136 pages) and 4 photographs. Wilber served in the 120th New York Volunteer infantry and fought at Gettysburg (which he describes). Diary was kept irregularly but mentions his capture, Libby Prison, Richmond, and...

GLC00653.15

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

[Diary of Josiah Moseley]

Autograph manuscript. Moseley served in K company of the 6th regiment, Virginia infantry, in the Confederate Army. Describes the Battles of White Oak Swamp, Brandy Creek Station and Gettysburg, Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, and Chancellorsville.

GLC00653.18

[Diary of John S. Tucker, D company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry]

Tucker's 1862 autograph manuscript diary contains his account of day-to-day life in D company and discussions of battles such as Seven Pines, Williamsburg, Mechanicsville, and the Seven Days battles. Also mentions the evacuation of Yorktown.

GLC00653.19.01

[Diary of John S. Tucker, D company, 5th regiment, Alabama, infantry]

Tucker's 1864-1865 autograph manuscript diary signed includes his account of the famous mine explosion at the Siege of Petersburg as well as other daily events. Also mentions the death of General William E. Jones at the Battle of Piedmont.

GLC00653.19.02

[Collection of William T. Hollingsworth, D company, 3rd regiment, Georgia, infantry] [decimalized]

Collection includes eight letters and envelopes written from Confederate surgeon William T. Hollingsworth to his brother James H. Hollingsworth. The collection includes numerous postal covers and a family genealogy book. The correspondence mentions...

GLC00653.20

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 notes he has been offered an office with the Medical Corps with the ranking of Sergeant Major. He reports intermittent & remittent fever, pneumonia, bronchitis, measles, and mumps are the chief...

GLC00653.20.03

[Collection of George B. Cook, E company, 42nd regiment, North Carolina, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists of a series of letters from Private George B. Cook of the 42nd North Carolina infantry regiment to members of his family. Cook was drafted into the army of the Confederate States of America on September 11, 1864. He was 19...

GLC00653.22

to mother

He is well; hopes she is too. He has joined company E of the 42nd regiment. "I just got [here] in time to see a man shot… It was Fred Lammer's brother. He deserted and went to the [Yankee] lines." Another man deserted last night. Two more deserters...

GLC00653.22.01

to mother

He got his mother's letter this evening. He is sorry to hear of his brother's injury but glad to hear he is getting better. Also heard that "Pa" had to go to Concord to court, and wants to know why he did that. He got the shirt, socks, and gloves two...

GLC00653.22.02

to father and mother

"We are faring badly [here] now," as they are not getting nearly enough to eat. The regiment might have to head home, for "we can't get neither clothes nor money nor provisions here." He does not know how much longer the troops can stand such poor...

GLC00653.22.03

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 mother

George B. Cook got his mother's letter from the 20th. He is happy to hear Frank [Frost] was as close to home as Raleigh, but is sorry to hear he was ill. They must tell Mr. Whitlocks to come visit him when he comes up to Richmond. His current...

GLC00653.22.05

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 sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 2nd. "I am not well at this time." Had a difficult march starting the night of the 7th. The marched started at night and continued until 12:00 AM in the middle of a rainstorm. Returned to...

GLC00653.22.07

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

This letter is printed on the second half of the attendance sheet titled "Consolidated Morning Report." He is replying to his sister's letter from the 11th. He is glad to hear that his cousin Frank got home alright. He hopes they enjoy Christmas at...

GLC00653.22.09