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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 Nancy E. Jones

Guard duty; mustering in; receiving uniforms; prayer meeting.

GLC02739.002

to Nancy E. Jones

Camp life; prayer meeting; female visitors; writing paper and envelopes.

GLC02739.003

to Nancy E. Jones

Lack of arms in "rebel country;" Confederate guerrillas; African Americans in camp ("…it is very wicked the way that the soldiers dos abuse them…"); behavior of fellow soldiers in camp; plans to send a picture after he is outfitted with gun and...

GLC02739.011

to Nancy E. Jones

Still no letters from home; guard duty; lack of arms; rebel activity in the vicinity; paying debts and other concerns at home; arrival of guns and uniforms.

GLC02739.012

to Nancy E. Jones

Five divisions including his left Louisville in pursuit of the Confederates. The doctor will not excuse anyone from duty "until they are half dead." She knows "more at home than we do about what is going on." He believes that "Kentucky will be...

GLC02739.017

to Nancy E. Jones

They have been traveling every day and are now five miles west of Bowling Green on Lost River. They will rest here and then move on to Nashville.

GLC02739.021

to Nancy E. Jones

He expects that "the rebbels is so near drove out and [there are] so many union troops that the mail can go through safe" now.

GLC02739.023

to Nancy E. Jones

George Cooper died of the measles. The Confederates tried to capture their grain train but were unsuccessful. He lists the hierarchy of officers above him: Sill, Rosecrans, Kirk, and Reid.

GLC02739.028

to Nancy E. Jones

He went out on a very difficult picket but slept that night in a Confederate's barn to stay out of the rain.

GLC02739.030

to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks they will stay in Murfreesboro. He would like to know how the Confederates are faring near home.

GLC02739.037

to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks the war may end soon but wouldn't be surprised if it lasted a year or two more. Their latest news from Grant is favorable. He will rejoin Company F of the 79th.

GLC02739.051

to Nancy E. Jones

He is still with the battery. Mr. Shorter will hand deliver the letter and tell her more in person.

GLC02739.055

to Nancy E. Jones

He believes "Morgan the [guerilla chief] is neer his last end." The whole army is working well together toward a quick end to the war. The Union has control of Port Hudson and Bragg has left Tennessee. "His Armey is very mutch Reduced" and...

GLC02739.060

to Nancy E. Jones

He received the children's likenesses. She should not write to the captain asking for a furlough. He believes he has fought his last battle; "this armey may have a hard battle yet with brag but I don't expect to be in the engagement."

GLC02739.061

to Nancy E. Jones

He describes the march from Tullahoma, Tennessee through the mountains. They may follow Bragg to Georgia.

GLC02739.065

to Nancy E. Jones

Expectations of battle; taking Chattanooga with the loss of only one man; close proximity to the Confederates; wounding of Cornelius Hanvy.
.

GLC02739.070

to Nancy E. Jones

He encourages her to go live with Brother Millis and to read often. If he had known what soldiering would be like, he wouldn't have thought any man could stand it.

GLC02739.078

to Nancy E. Jones

They are running a grist mill and shipping meal and flour to Knoxville. The rest of the regiment is at Knoxville with the 22nd Illinois. Burnside drove the Confederates "from in front of him with heavy los[s] on the part of the rebles." Longstreet...

GLC02739.091

to Nancy E. Jones

Were he home, he would teach Phebe Jane himself instead of sending her to school. There was another battle near Chattanooga.

GLC02739.097

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

God has carried him through the war thus far. She is going back home. He contemplates the effects of war: "In peace: children bury their parents; in war: parents bury their children."

GLC02739.102

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 Nancy E. Jones

Sending his likeness; activities in camp.

GLC02739.001

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

Move to Jeffersonville aboard extremely crowded train; march across the Ohio River into Kentucky, with enthusiastic reception; rumors of 60,000 Confederates within 10 miles of Louisville; saw "over one thousand negroes" as they passed through town.

GLC02739.009

to Nancy E. Jones

Dreams about his wife and children; lack of news from home; matters at home; giving away/selling his clothing.

GLC02739.010

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

Volunteering for picket duty; long, hot march through Louisville in which many fell ill.

GLC02739.013

to Nancy E. Jones

They are still on the march and traveling has improved his health.

GLC02739.018

to Nancy E. Jones and Benjamin Jones

They are camped again and in good spirits; he hopes for a visit from Benjamin. On stationery with poem titled "The Soldier's Dream," with bottom third of first page cut off.

GLC02739.024

to Nancy E. Jones

If they don't get paid soon, he thinks "a good many wil go home and I don't blame them for our soldiers is used worse than a dog." He estimates that there are 200,000 troops around Nashville but they have not fought yet.

GLC02739.025

to Nancy E. Jones

He is on picket and it is difficult to write because "there is so many generals passing and we [have] to fall in to line evry time one comes along to salute him." On 27 November his brigade was ordered to scout towards Murfreesboro and skirmished...

GLC02739.026

to Nancy E. Jones

They left the Nashville area on 26 December and fought almost every day on their way to Murfreesboro. He describes a very tough battle and his own close call. The Confederate guns were "so hot that they burnt our hands when we took hold of them."

GLC02739.032

to Nancy E. Jones

He does not think the South can be defeated: "we can't starve them out for they have a plenty and we can't whip them out for they are armed as well as we are, and they are as brave a men to fight as we are."

GLC02739.033

to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

to Nancy E. Jones

"I feel as mutch assured that I will git home alive as mutch as I feel assured that this war will end in the distruction of the southern confederacy." He believes that they will soon have Vicksburg and hopes to move to Fort Donelson soon.

GLC02739.050

to Nancy E. Jones

The Union has captured Chattanooga and he heard that Charleston was taken. Their picket line is near the river and the Confederates are on the other side. The Confederates know "more about retreat than anything else." There are rumors that the...

GLC02739.066

to Nancy E. Jones

They are camped between the Sandy and Lookout mountains. The men "almost melt in the day time and freeze stiff at night." He dreamt that they took all of Bragg's men prisoner. Includes note to Phebe Jane Jones.

GLC02739.069

to Elizabeth Jones

5,000 troops marched with six pieces of cannon to find the Confederates. He tries to convey what it is like to be in a soldiers' camp; "I could lay down in sight of the rebels and go to sleep without any feer." Their course is towards Mumfordsville...

GLC02739.071

to Nancy E. Jones

The fighting has subsided but they are often shot at on picket. He "would not give what I have lernt and seen since I have bin in the armey for ten thousand dollars."

GLC02739.073

to Nancy E. Jones

He has kept an account of their movements and battles. He summarizes the hardships he has endured so far.

GLC02739.075

to Nancy E. Jones

He expects the railroad to be opened all the way soon. They moved from Johnston's division to Sheridan's and from the 20th army corps to the 4th. He will send Rosecrans' congratulatory General Orders No. 227 in his next letter.

GLC02739.079

to Nancy E. Jones

His regiment is still under Colonel Buckner. They began with 965 men of which 584 remain, 130 of which are still in the regiment. He expects the regiments to be consolidated as they are too small to hold their position alone. His regiment is...

GLC02739.080

to Nancy E. Jones

General Hooker is fighting the Confederates on the right wing. She should make him two shirts and send them and a needle and pins if possible. He encloses General Rosencrans' congratulatory Orders No. 227.

GLC02739.081

to Nancy E. Jones

General Thomas replaced General Rosecrans "on the account of Brag driving him back" to Chattanooga where Grant is now in command. He heard that Hooker defeated Bragg. They have not encountered Price since he left or Marmaduke since he attacked a...

GLC02739.085

to Nancy E. Jones

"It is not uncomen for me to weep over my deer little family."

GLC02739.098

to Nancy E. Jones

The railroad has been repaired from Chattanooga to Knoxville and they will soon prepare for the spring campaign.

GLC02739.100

[Fort of Sweetwater, Tennessee]

GLC02739.101

to Nancy E. Jones

Dreams of people at home; his health and gaining exemption from duty; lack of contact with the enemy; marching orders; sickness in camp due to overexertion.

GLC02739.015

to Nancy E. Jones

Apologizes for not being able to keep her letters but asks that she save his until he comes home; regiment will likely move towards Alabama and Georgia; rumors that Richmond was captured; advises her not to visit as "here is no place for a woman."

GLC02739.027

to Nancy E. Jones

He hopes that Martha's health will improve. Many men are "joining the regulars for three years service" but he is not.

GLC02739.029

to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042

to Nancy E. Jones

"The rebbels is failing in evry sense of the word." The Confederates attacked their pickets but his regiment held them off and will "slay them by the thousands if they try to take this place."

GLC02739.043

to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed and had to leave the 79th to work a twelve pound brass cannon in the 20th Ohio Battery. He does not feel in any more danger as "I can dodge a shell or canon ball some times but a musket ball I can not." The battery consists of two...

GLC02739.045

to Nancy E. Jones

The men and officers of the 20th are all "persecutors of religion" but he will persist in his prayers. They expect a battle soon, "one of thee hardest battles ever fought in America."

GLC02739.047

to Nancy E. Jones

They drove 40,000 Confederates towards Chattanooga and several corps are advancing behind them. Some Confederates say "they want to quit fighting that they have bin deceived long enough by the leaders of the south." He fears the letter will not...

GLC02739.052

to Nancy E. Jones

He has a shelter or dog tent which he stretches out on sticks to cover about five feet of ground. He fashioned a bedstead from an old stable door and uses his oil blanket and dress coat as bedclothes and his knapsack as a pillow. It would be worth...

GLC02739.056

to Nancy E. Jones

They defeated Bragg, Johnson, and the Richmond army even though they were outnumbered five to one. They fell back here to fortify as the Confederates are planning to attack. He calls Stones River a skirmish in comparison with this battle. He has...

GLC02739.072

General Orders No. 227.

General Rosecrans congratulates the Army of the Cumberland and lists its accomplishments.

GLC02739.074

to Nancy E. Jones

The mail has stopped. The Confederates are only a mile away and they can see them through a telescope. They have not attacked since 20 September, the Battle of Chickamauga. He describes Lookout Mountain.

GLC02739.076

to Nancy E. Jones

They are so close to the Confederates that they can "talk to them" but neither side is allowed to shoot. Three companies of Confederates gave themselves up and more do every day.

GLC02739.077

to Nancy E. Jones

The Confederates have been fighting internally since the Battle of Chickamauga; "I believe they will disband completely." Cornelius Hanvy has recovered. He requests cotton shirts to keep away the army lice. She may exchange the money he sends for...

GLC02739.087

to Nancy E. Jones [incomplete]

They attacked two days ago and their right wing took Lookout Mountain while the left wing held its position. Yesterday the left wing drove the Confederates from Missionary Ridge, reaching Chickamauga creek this morning. They could not push them...

GLC02739.088

to Nancy E. Jones

His regiment is running a mill and sending flour up to London. The army is weaker because of veterans going home but if the Confederates don't attack for three months "our armey will be strong enough to wipe them out." He'd hoped to come home as a...

GLC02739.094

to Nancy E. Jones

He just received the needle and pins he asked for and is very grateful. He expects to lose most of his teeth while he is in the army. He, Colonel Buckner, and another man formed a religious group and made resolutions on New Year's Day.

GLC02739.095

to Nancy E. Jones

They fought at Dandridge and then crossed the French Broad River. After struggling to cross a partially frozen stream, they were ordered to cross back again. He advises her on how to manage their farm.

GLC02739.096

to Nancy E. Jones

His infected thumb makes it difficult to write.

GLC02739.099

to Nancy E. Jones

Successfully rejoining his regiment after furlough.

GLC02739.138