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to my dear wife

He is going to have his picture taken, though it may be expensive. Everything on the island costs three times as much. He sent her more money express. He may sell his watch.

GLC02740.16

to my dear wife

He is sick with a bad cold and cough. In other news they have not got their rifles yet. There will probably not be any fighting for some time. He asks her to send 4 stockings.

GLC02740.19

to my dear wife

There is a battle going on now. He says if she could only see the women she accuses him of consorting with. They are all ugly and he wouldn't want to hug them.

GLC02740.23

to my dear wife

He expects the heaviest fighting to be done in the Spring, but he is not afraid. He describes a friend of his in the company. He asks her to send him a hat.

GLC02740.24

to my dear wife

He requests mittens and asks her to write more often.

GLC02740.27

to my dear wife

Some of the company has been sick but they have fattened up since they arrived 2 years sgo. He has gone through a lot of pens because of his letter writing and had to nuy more ink,

GLC02740.29

to my dear wife

He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He is currently in the book house, just killing time. The Rebels currently have to keep shooting across lines all night to prevent deserters.

GLC02740.34

to my dear wife

He warns her not to expect him home in a few months. It could be the rest of the year. He guesses that every day since they left they have marched about 300 miles.

GLC02740.39

to my dear wife

He talks of wanting to come home. He speculates on when they may begin discharging soldiers. He also mentions seeing all the wounded from the last battle and how devastating it was.

GLC02740.41

to my dear wife

They are going to be sent to Maine as sharpshooters since they cannot be put anywhere else in the United States. He sees a lot of Rebels coming in lately and describes them as good-looking, smart men.

GLC02740.48

to Unknown

Partial letter later used for scratch paper: He is very glad someone wrote to him and asks that his respects be given to Miss Whiting.

GLC02740.53

"War Letter--From Father"

No other words, appears to be scrap paper.

GLC02740.64

to Mother

He writes he is on one of the finest steamers.

GLC02743.02

to Mother

They are now off the Tortugas. They got to see Fort Tyler. The trip has been pleasant. He says he has never enjoyed a trip so much in his life. There is no fighting in the near future.

GLC02743.05

to Mother

They have orders to move somewhere else but have not gone anywhere else. He has a cousin that works for Adams Express and he will make sure "N" is forwarded. He was in a sugar mill the other day and got to see the whole process of making sugar and...

GLC02743.09

to Mother

They had two killed and one wounded the other day. Letter includes rough sketch of the Rebels' movements.He includes a whole catalogue of items he wants his mother to send including handkerchiefs and socks.

GLC02743.20

to Mother

They are in Carrollton again and they are camping in a very beautiful spot. He mentions an Eliot Bundy and a Capt. Hopkins.

GLC02743.21

to Mother

He would like to stay in the field but he may be ordered to establish another hospital in which case he won't be able to write. He asks her to save the Plymouth Paper.

GLC02743.24

to Mother

He has not slept in a house in some time and he has no sleeping clothes. He talks about a fellow surgeon of his.

GLC02743.26

to Mother

There are a lot of crickets lately and he is afraid they will eat through everything. They are camped about a half-mile from the river. He would like to have 500 dollars.

GLC02743.27

to Son

She is very glad the war has ended. Cousin Will was appointed surgeon at Ft. Darling.

GLC02743.31

to Unknown

The author describes his current surroundings in Northern New York. A page may be missing as there is no greeting or date.

GLC02743.32

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about the sacrifice the country has made. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.007

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about how all the men are going home for the last time. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.010

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes he has been so busy he has not had time to see anyone. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.013

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He received her letter about Ely.

GLC02744.014

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that he is now Lt. Col. of his regiment.

GLC02744.017

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is preparing to leave. He talked of his horse and the new privileges he will now have. Written at Camp Norton

GLC02744.020

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is upset because he hasn't received any mail from her in three weeks.

GLC02744.024

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He talks about their relationship and how intertwined their lives are.

GLC02744.034

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He talks at great length of how even though they are separated, she is there in spirit and that bond is unbreakable. She is the best wife he could ever have and their separation only rekindles the passion. He feels blessed by god to have her as a...

GLC02744.035

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that their souls are united forever.

GLC02744.036

[Jerry the horse attached to 21st regiment, Connecticut]

Note about Jerry the horse.

GLC02744.038

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He misses his family and longs to see them. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.043

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that there is too much complaining going on. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.045

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He tells her not to pay attention to the papers because the Rebels are not doing as well as they report. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.047

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is somewhere in the woods. He is writing by the light of a camp fire.

GLC02744.049

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that he has a very pleasant camp along the river. gunboats patrol up and down and there are several rowboats available. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia

GLC02744.052

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Talks about Hooker's defeat, his faith in McClellan, includes song about boy asking his mother about his father that is a soldier.

GLC02744.053

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He wonders why the 21st was not mentioned in the list of killed and wounded since one man was killed and three were wounded. Mentions Hooker's withdrawal.

GLC02744.054

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He thinks of her always and wishes she could be with him.

GLC02744.057

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He discusses Hooker's defeat and why it occurred. He talks of changing attitudes toward the war.

GLC02744.058

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that Hooker's defeat prevented the rebels from sending reinforcements to the Southwest. He hopes that Grant can be successful.

GLC02744.059

to Charles A. Burpee

Letter written to Thomas's son Charlie. He has enclosed some letters. Most of letter is illegible.

GLC02744.064

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He got a leave of absence for 30 days on account of disabilty.

GLC02744.070

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He informs her he will be in Plymouth by Thursday night. Written at the Howard Hotel.

GLC02744.071

to Mrs.Thomas F. Burpee

Four miles from New Haven. He will be home Saturday night.

GLC02744.073

to Mr. Elijah Holt

He describes his long sickness in detail, starting in Baton Rouge and leading up to his current circumstances.

GLC02744.090

to Dolly Davis

Writes to his wife. Discusses his farm and the drought back home (Blackwater, Mississippi). State is not listed; however, Davis mentions being about 30 miles from Boonville, Mississippi. A draft transcript is available.

GLC02738.06

to Dolly Davis

Writes to his wife. Mentions heavy fighting and shelling. A draft transcript is available.

GLC02738.04

to his friend.

Writes to a friend named Joe. Mentions preparing to march towards Corinth, Mississippi. Includes a blue and white five cent Confederate stamp; stamp shows a picture of Jefferson Davis and the text, "CONFEDERATE STATES."

GLC02738.08

to my dear wife

He answers in response to her suspicions that he may be straying. He says he would never do such a thing to his darling. He says he is a temperate man and has hardly drunk anything since being in the army. He suggests that she visit him.

GLC02740.11

to Lizzie

He is missing her very badly and says he has taken a picture of her with him.

GLC02740.54

to Mother

He was not feeling well the past week but this morning he woke up with an appetite and seems to have returned to his old self.

GLC02743.14

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Praises his wife. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.001

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He just arrived and describes the journey there.

GLC02744.021

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He describes his quarters which are very comfortable now.

GLC02744.026

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He points out that newspapers give a "false coloring" as to what is really going on. tells the story of a narrow escape one soldier had .

GLC02744.030

to Thomas F. Burpee

Capt. Sputtle has gone to Fort Monroe with his company to guard 150 prisoner friends. He thinks if Richmond is captured , Then they will have come far.

GLC02744.072

to my dear wife

He thinks he will be at home in June sometime. Unfortunately they will not get paid until they are discharged. He plans to get a piece of land and build his own house when he returns.

GLC02740.42

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He describes troop movements. He says a part of him enjoys this kind of life.

GLC02744.025

to my dear wife

He hopes he was not late in sending her money. He thinks of her when he goes to bed and when he wakes up. He wants her to get a photo taken.

GLC02740.04

to my dear wife

He worries that she may not receive the last money he sent. He expects to leave the island soon. Their transport arrived with Rebel prisoners.

GLC02740.12

to my dear wife

He warns her there may be some hard times. He mentioned previously that they would leave today but they are low on money.

GLC02740.13

to my dear wife

The country is fine but he would enjoy it more if she were with him.. Grant's army is about 7 miles away. He mentions the next time he will send money.

GLC02740.18

to my dear wife

There is talk of settling up at their present location. Where they are now was the site of a battleground last Spring. Tomorrow there is an inspection so everything has to be very clean.

GLC02740.20

to my dear wife

He received her picture. They have been in their present location without rifles and nothing to do for quite a while. He tells her to take good care of his babies.

GLC02740.21

to my dear wife

He tells the horrific story of having witnessed a prisoner's hanging.

GLC02740.22

to my dear wife

It is snowing. They are told they must protect City Point now as the Rebels are fighting to the front. All night long, the wagons have come through with the sick and wounded. He complains about his mother whom he says abused him as a child.

GLC02740.25

to my dear wife

He mentions a man who enlisted three different times under three different names. He speaks of having seen hard times and harder sights yet, but his heart remains steadfast in his love for her,

GLC02740.26

to my dear wife

He has not felt well for a while. He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He writes that he always thinks of the friendship they share.

GLC02740.52

to Mother

They might be going to Texas and if so, good times are in store. They have plently of provisions , enough to last six months. He is in great health.

GLC02743.04

to Mother

He was ordered to go on the boat in charge of the Generals' bodyguard. He describes his experience and the bayou.

GLC02743.12

to Mother

They received orders to start for Baton Rouge. He says to tell Charley it will be impossible to get a furlough at this time.

GLC02743.15

to Mother

They are now near Berwicks. They suffered some losses with 6 killed, 91 wounded.

GLC02743.18

to Mother

At Red River they plan to cut off the Rebel's supplies through Texas. He writes that he finds the place, where they are now, despondent. He talks about the risk of illness.

GLC02743.19

to Mother

A fellow friend and soldier was shot and killed by a sharpshooter. Capt. Hopkins is sick. He has about 150 patients in his care currently.

GLC02743.22

to Mother

They are in New Orleans and will probably go to Carrollton four miles away to camp.

GLC02743.25

to Mother

He weighs more now than he did when he left home. He does not see much chance of a promotion right now. He encloses photographs (not included here)

GLC02743.29

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes she is worthy of being the wife of an American soldier. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.002

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes he will be unable to come home that Sunday. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.003

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes he will try to be home on Tuesday. He instructs her to tell the children that they should love their country next to God. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.004

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes they received their equipment and arms today. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.006

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that when they are ready to leave, he intends to spend a day or two at home.

GLC02744.008

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes they had a greatd deal of visitors. Written at Camp Foote.

GLC02744.012

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes he had a bad cold yesterday.

GLC02744.015

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about Christianity in the army.

GLC02744.016

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes they will be leaving tomorrow. Written at Camp Norton

GLC02744.018

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes he will be home on Monday noon. Written at Camp Norton

GLC02744.019

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about William's predicament. He is glad she and the children are doing well.

GLC02744.027

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He thought they should go towards the rebels but decided to go farther away.

GLC02744.029

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes of his relationship with God and with her. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.039

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes they will probably not have a big battle right away.Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.041

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He saw the building where John Brown fought his battle and was imprisoned. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.044

to Family

He is currently marching. He thinks they will go the river and into Virginia.

GLC02744.046

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes they will be moving soon. Written in Camp Plesant Valley

GLC02744.048

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about what his faith has done for him. Written in a camp near Suffolk, Virginia

GLC02744.051

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He encamped at Brewer's Hill. He talks of the general's plan to occupy the line along the Mansemand River.

GLC02744.055

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that his camp is near the Portsmouth railroad. He misses his family terribly.

GLC02744.060

to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes at great length about his love for and how their lives are connected.

GLC02744.061