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to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Writes that they are at their old camp ground and it looks like they will be staying there for the winter. Tells her that his health has improved and he is in good spirits. Does not think they...

GLC03523.13.060

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is sorry but he will not be able to come home this winter because there is going to be a great battle. Every soldier has been ordered to take a gun and go into the fight. Reports that he has been promoted to lieutenant. He...

GLC03523.13.069

to Amanda Wilkinson

He writes to his wife that he has not heard from her in two weeks. He wonders if she is sick and sends her 40 dollars, all of the pay he received. He also sends her a picture of himself. Writes that he asked for a leave of absence and was denied...

GLC03523.13.077

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is greatly relieved to hear from her as it has been over two weeks since her last letter. States that they have just received orders to march to North Carolina. There they are to reinforce General John G. Foster. He has...

GLC03523.13.078

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is discouraged to hear of all the troubles at home. He comments that his grandfather has worked hard and that it is up to the younger generation to make sure he has all of his wants supplied. States that he is saddened by...

GLC03523.13.085

to Amanda Wilkinson

He writes to his wife that he has just returned from picket to read her letter. Is happy that both her and their baby are feeling better. Writes that he is sad his grandfather's health is failing so fast. Expresses his sympathies for his grandfather...

GLC03523.13.086

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that the army has finally stopped marching. He is very anxious to hear from her, and wonders how she and the baby are doing. States that if she does not get better soon he will come home to stay. Tells her not to borrow any money...

GLC03523.13.089

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky. He wishes that his wife could have come with him when the army left Newport News, Virginia as she could have seen a great deal of the country. Writes that he is unsure where the...

GLC03523.13.090

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry. Sends his wife some portraits. He writes that the regiment expects to move soon. Writes that he is not feeling well but he is not so sick that he cannot report for duty. He has still not been paid or...

GLC03523.13.092

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky to his wife. Writes that he is "officer of the day." He is sorry that their baby is unwell so frequently and hopes that as the baby gets older her health will improve. Writes that he...

GLC03523.13.094

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written on the Green River in Kentucky. He writes that they have marched 30 miles inland and are very far from any railroad station. Expects that they will soon march again but is unsure as to where they are headed. Writes that he has been sick for...

GLC03523.13.096

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes a short letter to his wife that the regiment has moved and will move again. He is unsure of where they are headed. Thinks that they might be headed to Memphis, Tennessee but he is still not sure. Reports that he is feeling much better every...

GLC03523.13.097

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry. He writes a letter of introduction for Sergeant Wilhelm [?] Shakespeer who has promised to visit Frederick Wilkinson's wife. Reports that he was sick but has since recovered. Requested a leave of absence...

GLC03523.13.098

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the residence of Mr. [Carlile] to his wife. He has been unwell so he came to Mr. Carlile's and is feeling much better. Writes that he is with one of the best families in Kentucky and they give him everything he requires and take excellent...

GLC03523.13.099

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written to his wife from Louisville, Kentucky. Reports that he has mustered into a new regiment. He has received his bounty and has sent her a portion of it in a box. Explains that he is not feeling well and that he will try to return home as soon as...

GLC03523.13.101

to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from...

GLC03523.14.05

to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black...

GLC03523.14.08

to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all...

GLC03523.14.11

to Maria Damuth

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant...

GLC03523.14.12

to Maria Damuth

Damuth and another soldier have been caring for Jesse, who is ill. Many of the men in the regiment are in the hospital. Many soldiers are eager to get discharges and complain about their lack of importance in the war. Discusses hierarchy of...

GLC03523.14.13

to Maria and John Damuth

Three reports of Jesse Smith's death of typhoid fever and measles, all written out by Damuth. One is for the town newspaper, the other two for Damuth's siblings.

GLC03523.14.14

to John Damuth

Writes to his brother with little war news. Asks John if he is a member of the Democratic Club and warns him that "I would shoot my own brother as soon as I would a snake if I should see him in the ranks of such a Good forsaken set of trators."...

GLC03523.14.16

to Maria Damuth

Reports that more of their friends from home have died. Complains that men are enlisted with "no respect to persons they will kill the strong as well as the weak." Describes some officers in the camp.

GLC03523.14.17

to John and Joan Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin left its plantation campground, and has been on the march since. In the woods, they find evidence of rebel building projects and bridges. Damuth and a group of men go out to fix up the roads ahead. Describes their...

GLC03523.14.23

to Maria Damuth

Has just learned that it is Sunday, and writes that "I never have seen a day since I have been South that realy seemed like our old fashion Sundays that we used to have up north." Has been suffering from dysentery. Describes what it is like to be a...

GLC03523.14.27

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

Complains of boils all over his legs. Firing on Rebel lines continues and "yesterday our men blew up another of thear Forts." Rails against Democrats as traitors and tells his sister not to spend any money at stores owned by Wisconsin Democrats....

GLC03523.14.30

to Maria Damuth

Writes on paper sent to him by his sister and teases, "I guess you thought if you sent this size paper you would get large letters." She has also sent him some socks, and Damuth thanks her for them but adds, "I think I would rather be the one that...

GLC03523.14.35

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 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

The men are happy at their camp. A fort is being built "and some force will have to stay here and hold it." The 24th Indiana and the 35th Wisconsin have joined Damuth's regiment; all of the 35th Wisconsin is ill. Damuth says his company is well...

GLC03523.14.66

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister that he has been taking quinine to keep away "the ague." Thinks that the change of water has made the regiment sick, "when we were here a year a go last winter the water made a great many of the boys sick." The men are building...

GLC03523.14.70

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men have arrived at Devil's Bluff and will soon move to Little Rock. The colonel is hunting deer, but "evry one cant get out of the picket line." The mail has brought a death announcement about one of Damuth's close...

GLC03523.14.74

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp outside of New Orleans. The soldiers often go into the city. Damuth is going to get photographs taken. Some of the men taken prisoner the year before at Red River are now in the city. Of one of them, Damuth writes...

GLC03523.14.79

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

Collection of Jesse Brown [decimalized GLC03523.15.01-.20]

Consists primarily of letters written by Brown to his parents, Caleb and Emily Brown (4-8, 10, 13-18), to his sister Maria and his brother [unnamed] (1, 3, 19), to Nen (9), and to his sister Marenda (2). Also includes a letter from Brown's brother...

GLC03523.15

to [brother and sister]

He writes from a hospital, describing it as a "regular palice," where "evry thing is so clean." He had an ambrotype made but it turned out poorly, especially because he's been sick.

GLC03523.15.01

to sister

He has been sick and finally saw the doctor, who gave him some pills but did not excuse him from duty. Comments on the list of drafted men in the newspaper (Enrollment Act of July 1863).

GLC03523.15.02

to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Tells them never to let Jed enlist, even if a high sum of money is offered. "Helth is worth more than money." Describes the effects of the war on him physically: "only 22 years from my looks you would say I was 40." Written from the 5th Maine...

GLC03523.15.04

to friend Brown

Apologizes for not visiting him while he was at home due to sickness. Although they have had hard times, Jesse visited. They all hope this summer would see the end of fighting. While Jesse has not reenlisted, he has; he wants to see the end of the...

GLC03523.15.12

to Caleb Brown and Emily Brown

Received a slight wound in his side and is now in the hospital. His leg wound is recovering well, and he hopes to be in good shape when he is discharged. He suffered considerably in transport to the hospital, riding 32 miles in a six-mule wagon.

GLC03523.15.18

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

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 sister Mamie

Mentions his return to the hospital and his trip to New York, including seeing "Mr. Beecher" [Henry Ward Beecher] preach.

GLC03523.18.27

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

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 father

Describes completion of the muster rolls. Reports acknowledgment from his mother of his hard work. Discusses the business of camp, such as raising funds to erect a monument in honor of the 6th corps late and "lamented commander Major General John...

GLC03523.18.52

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 Camp McDowell. Reports he's had a terrible tooth-ache and has not been able to sleep for four days. Complains of constant rain. Mentions rumors they are heading to Fairfax. States they have orders for a long march and can...

GLC03523.20.02