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to parents

Written from camp near Charlestown, Virginia. Discusses John Brown and treason. Expresses concern over mother's health and father's business affairs. Discusses the burning of resources during a recent retreat. Describes citizen guerrillas and their...

GLC03523.18.23

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 mother

Writes from camp near Newtown, Virginia. Discusses election results received in camp on the previous Tuesday. Says the 2nd Regiment gave General George McClellan & George H. Pendleton a majority of 32, but the brigade voted for Abraham Lincoln and...

GLC03523.18.31

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

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 mother

Written on U.S. Christian Commission letterhead from camp near Petersburg. Mentions desertion of rebel men on picket including 10 officers and 250 men.

GLC03523.18.39

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Discusses capture of Fort Fisher in Wilmington, and mentions the capture of 1,000 prisoners including Colonel William Lamb and General W. H. C. Whiting. Describes influx of rebels coming into the Union lines...

GLC03523.18.42

to mother

Written from Union camp near Petersburg. Describes the most severe storm of the season: "what cannot be cured must be endured so we try and pass off the time the best way we can." Mentions sister Mamie and her progress at singing school. Reports the...

GLC03523.18.43

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 mother

Written to his father from a camp near Petersburg on two sheets of paper: the first apparently written in the morning and the second sheet in the afternoon. Mentions receipt of $50 previously requested. Discusses his readiness for a six day march...

GLC03523.18.46

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 the extension of lines across Hatches run with fortifications. Mentions the suffering of men on line in extreme weather, especially the wounded. Relates a story of an agreement between a "Reb" and a "Yank" to meet between the pickets to cut...

GLC03523.18.49

to mother

Discusses the illness of his mother. Reports that he cannot expect to visit home until Spring. Describes the sounding of "tatoo" for roll call. Mentions the business of disbursing clothing and the "business" of the army regardless of the day of the...

GLC03523.18.50

to mother

Written from Patricks Station, Virginia. Writes about recently being on picket in the rain, but adds that hisrubber coat kept him from suffering. Reports that they are watching the enemy closely.

GLC03523.18.51

to mother

Mentions a rebel attack the previous evening in which rebels took control of railroad but were driven back. Describes the capture of 600 soldiers, the capture of Southside railroad, and the arrival of General Philip Henry Sheridan with his cavalry...

GLC03523.18.54

to mother

Discusses the impending Union victory and peace. Describes General Philip H. Sheridan's campaign and reports he is under marching orders and expects to move soon. Declares that he "hope[s] and pray[s] that we may be able to strike the death blow to...

GLC03523.18.55

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 Harrison's Landing. Expresses concern for her health. Inquires how the new baby is doing. Mentions he sent her ten dollars. States he is watching for Rebel gunboats. Expects to move on to Malvern Hill soon. Complains of...

GLC03523.20.04

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Expresses deep love for her. Comments "It will be a source of great gratification for me to know that we have done our share towards preserving the Union and Liberties of our country." Inquires...

GLC03523.20.08

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 Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Complains about the lack of letters from her. Expresses anxiety about her well-being. Suspects the siege has not begun yet. States he is not kept busy enough, and they cannot get the...

GLC03523.20.14