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to Libbie Elmore

He writes that the other soldiers are getting drunk for Independence Day. He wishes he could have spent the day with her. "Freedom is no longer a doubtful trial, but a certainty..." he says referring to the recent victory. He wishes she could hire...

GLC06588.228

to Libbie Elmore

They were finally mustered out but there was a problem with the paperwork so they have to wait for someone to go to D.C. and fix the situation but he will be coming home soon. Was written near Alexandria, Virginia.

GLC06588.229

to Libbie Elmore

Since the officers have so much to do, they can't get mustered out until next Thursday and then they have to wait for transportation. It could take another three weeks for them to get discharged and paid out. Was written near Alexandria, Virginia.

GLC06588.230

to Libbie Elmore

They were officially mustered out and taken to New York. At the Astor House they saw General Hooker and gave him three cheers. Bruce does not like most of the officials however because they seem only to care for themselves and not the soldiers.

GLC06588.231

My Life is Like the Summer Rose and Heavily Falls the Rain

One is a soldier's poem, the other is a metaphor for the loss of life in the war perhaps...?

GLC06588.232

to Libbie Elmore

No year. He gives instructions for how he wants his boots made. He wants them made with calveskin and double-soled. He tells her to do what she wants with the pig.

GLC06588.233

to Libbie Elmore

They have been given marching orders and there are no mor furloughs to be granted. He says she should come and see him before he leaves but do not bring the children.

GLC06588.234

to Libbie Elmore

He describes his journey so far. There was marching in the rain and staying in a hotel where he only got bread and cheese for dinner. Theyw ere ordered not to buy anything to eat or drink, but he got a mince pie anyway.

GLC06588.235

to Libbie Elmore

He writes that there has been considerable skirmishing. He asks her to write soon and tell all the particulars of her days.

GLC06588.236

to Libbie Elmore

They are now in Virginia. Their tents are not completely organized yet. They are now on one of Burnside's boats. They passed through Baltimore and Virginia.

GLC06588.237

to Libbie Elmore

They have spent most of their time on picket duty but there has been very little drilling. Willard is not very well. Written at Upton Hill

GLC06588.239

to Bruce Elmore

Aunt Sarah is very ill and not expected to live. Libbie has had a toothache. She feels bad that she lives in comfort while he is exposed to danger and suffering.

GLC06588.240

to Partner

The letting is engraved with a picture with the title "Storming a Battery." He writes this is nothing but a picture, in reality it is not that bad. The men are against Col. Dewitt and in favor of Holly. During a bad storm, he and Willard took...

GLC06588.241

to Libbie Elmore

He describes Piquet or Grand Guard duty to Libbie. He is sorry to hear about her toothache and Sarah's sickness. He says officer French is not as disagreeable as he once was ever since he was superseded by Lt. Col. Boughton. Written at Upton Hill

GLC06588.242

to Mother and Sister

He is having a good time and has never felt better. He thinks he will get used to camp life. He hopes he can come home tomorrow.

GLC02751.01

to Mother and Sister

They received orders to go to New Haven where he expects life to be much harder as they will have to stay in tents. He describes his daily routine. They have a dress parade every night and drill 4-5 hours a day. General Mansfield was killed in...

GLC02751.02

to Mother

He complains about the 200 Irishmen that have joined them. They get into drunken fights. He hopes they will remove the Irish companies soon. It will be his turn to go on guard soon. A couple of people are sick.

GLC02751.03

to Sister

Last night a drunken man from one of the companies was arrested. He was put in the guard tent. He put up such a fuss they had to take his musket away from him.

GLC02751.04

to Mother

Rosetta came to visit him. He got a special pistol and had his name engraved on the butt of it. He does a battallion drill every day now.

GLC02751.05

to Mother

They left Middletown and are now in New York. They were on a boat briefly where they received their state bounty. They are camped near the Centreville Race Track.

GLC02751.06

to Sister

They have been getting settled in and have pitched their tents. They haven't been drilling very much lately. They got their muskets but have not used them yet.

GLC02751.07

to Mother and Sister

They have set up their tents quite nicely with a stove and the right hay. The food is not as good as it was before but he is getting fat off it.

GLC02751.08

to Sister

They had a nice Thanksgiving and he enjoyed the food. They marched to South Brooklyn the next day. Written aboard the "New Brunswick"

GLC02751.09

to Mother

The day after Thanksgiving they were given marching orders to get to the South Brooklyn ferry. They are now on board the New Brunswick. He had to sleep on a very narrow berth at first. They have been eating hard bread and coffee. Written aboard the...

GLC02751.10

to Mother

They sailed later than expected. There has been no seasickness so far. They see porpoises one day. A Capt. jokingly snapped his pistol at an orderly thinking it was not loaded but it was and wounded the man. Written aboard the "New Brunswick"

GLC02751.11

to Mother

People are now beginning to get seasick. The wind has been harsh. The food is awful. They landed on an island. The assistant cook died. Written aboard the "New Brunswick"

GLC02751.12

to Mother

They are on Ship's Island. They don't know where they're going next. Maybe Mobile or Texas. The rest of the regiment is reported lost at sea. There are rebel prisoners on the island.

GLC02751.14

to Mother and Sister

They left Ship's Island and are now bound for New Orleans. They passed by large plantations where they saw "darkies." The darkies looks happy to see them but the whites are not.

GLC02751.15

to Mother and Sister

They had inspection first thing in the morning. He talks about what different kinds of food are worth around there. He tells the story of a skirmish between cavalry units.

GLC02751.16

to Mother

He went to church today for the first time in a while and enjoyed it immensely. He says there is little religious feeling among the troops. They are stationed by an old negro cabin in which 2 crippled men and and one woman live.

GLC02751.17

to Angel Darling (wife)

He regrets that he could not be with her during their boy's most important years of growth. He is glad she got a reliable stove though it is a poor subsitute for a husband.

GLC08284.106

to Darling Lovely Little Wife

Another letter of praise for his wife. He wishes he were there with her and imagines her sitting on his lap. He says she has a way with words that he does not.

GLC08284.107

to my darling Wife

He has received her letter in which she tells him Jimmy has been ill. He wants to know all the details and whether he has now recovered. He tells her to talk to doctor and find out all the various causes.

GLC08284.108

to my darling little Angel (wife)

He can't stand the thought of her needing him especially as he needs her. He is so isolated and kept apart from his wife and child. He asks her to write about herself more than anyone else.

GLC08284.109

to darling Cherry

The Secretary of the Navy finally arrived, as well as the steamer Clyde with Jefferson Davis on board. Later he went on board the Santiago de Cuba and was introduced to the ladies of the party. Written at Charleston Harbor.

GLC08284.110

to darling Cherry

He tries to give her words of encouragement towards being strong and happy apart from him. He then proceeds to sing her praises, as she has always done more than he anticipated as a wife. Written at Charleston Harbor.

GLC08284.111

to Mother

He tells the story of a captain who had his wife on board. She was very sick and he asked for ice to ease her pain but no one would give him so he left the ship and his wife later died.

GLC08284.117

to ma cherie Marie

He thinks France is the greatest nation in the world next to the USA. He wishes whole heartedly that she could be with him. He sings the praises of Paris, including the architecture and the art.

GLC08284.118

to wife

He describes the people of Paris, including the upper classes, the middle and lower classes and what he calls,a "Frenchy."

GLC08284.119

to Mother

He has enclosed two currant leaves. He describes different flowers and his wife and baby's attitude toward them.

GLC08284.120

to Mother

He had diarrhea but drank some gum tree bark and is feeling better now. They caught some freshwater lobsters. There is a rumor that Vicksburg was taken by their forces but no one really believes it. He shot his gun on a Sunday and feels guilty about...

GLC02751.18

to Mother and Sister

They are east of Baton Rouge now. They've found a lot of sugar and molasses where they are. There are inspections every day. He saw Frank Leslie's Illustrated paper in which there was a sketch of them driving the rebels out of Baton Rouge.

GLC02751.19

to Mother and Sister

He heard a good sermon from the chaplain about a soldier who recently died. In other news he is on fatigue duty so he is spared inspection. His tent mate is sick.

GLC02751.20

to Sister Rosetta

When they first landed, they scared 300 rebels and Frank Leslie's paper shows a good illustration of them driving the rebels out. The city of Baton Rouge is pretty much destroyed. He hopes they capture Vicksburg.

GLC02751.21

to Mother and Elmira

Lately they have been living good. The rations are more than enough. The cook house was recently inspected. The Colonel got sick and was taken to the hospital.

GLC02751.22

to Mother and Sister

There has been some fighting. Deals have been attempted. There was a proposal in which they said they'd give them the rest of the state if they gave them back all their enslaved people. It is rumored that the water where they are is poisoned since...

GLC02751.23

to Mother and Sister Elmira

He contracts the measles and is taken to the hospital. Some of the men have died from the measles. But he is sure he will get better.

GLC02751.24

to D.L. Platts

He informs him that Newell has died. Sereno spoke to him on his deathbed where he said his sickness was a providence of god.

GLC02751.26

to Mother and Sister Elmira

Gunboats and troops are now operating against Port Hudson. Everyday he is gaining strength but his blood is now out of order and he caught lice while in the hospital. He refers to Newell as one of his best earthly friends.

GLC02751.27

to Mother and Sister Elmira

Several gunboats managed to pass up by the rebel batteries and will eventually cut off their supplies. They haven't been paid yet but he keeps hoping they will soon. Watrons has been promoted to 2nd Lt.

GLC02751.28

to Sister Rosetta

There has been a movement of the army. They cut off supplies to the rebel batteries as they intended. They are under marching orders but may not go anywhere for a week or so. He talks about the cost of food. He has had to sell his pistol just to buy...

GLC02751.29

to Sister Rosetta

They got on a boat going away from Baton Rouge. He is sick of the war. The possibility that it might end soon are getting bleaker. He has no money to spend on good food.

GLC02751.30

to Mother and Sister Elmira

They have had a very successful expedition, driving the rebels back and capturing a great many prisoners. The food has improved greatly and they are doing their own cooking. He doesn't know when they will be paid so he asks for money.

GLC02751.31

to Sister Rosetta

He thanks her for the medicine she sent to ease his diarrhea. He comments on the expedition Gen. Banks has been leading from Berwich Bay as one of the most successful of the war. He describes the Rebel prisoners.

GLC02751.32

to Mother and Sister Elmira

He has been taking the medication that Rosetta sent and he thinks they have cured his diarrhea. He mentions Newell's death again. He also talks about the food he has been eating lately.

GLC02751.33

to Sister Rosetta

He tells the story of how the Lousiana Belle was fired into by a guerilla band. The pilot had to leave the pilot house because it became too hot. Then the captain ordered the negroes to push the boat ashore.

GLC02751.34

to Mother and Sister Elmira

Clark joined the regiment and shortly afterwards became ill and was taken to the hospital. He went to visit him and when he got back he found George Platts waiting for him. He is glad he now has a friend to keep him company.

GLC02751.35

to Sister Rosetta

He got sick again and was taken to the hospital where he lost his mind for a while. He kept thinking he was at home or on his way there and would get out of bed to leave and then the nurse would put him back into bed again. Surprisingly, he got well...

GLC02751.36

to wife

Clark writes to his wife about the death of Serano. He appeared to recover for a while but was then taken ill again and after a night of suffering, died.

GLC02751.37

to wife

He has recovered enough strength to write. Everyone had to be moved because it was deemed unsafe to stay where they are. Serano is very weak and he asked to be detailed to take care of him. To help with the move he gave Serano some whiskey. They were...

GLC02751.38

to Mother

He talks of how honorable Serano was and how his life was taken much too soon. He will pray that god spares the life of her other son.

GLC02751.39

to Mrs. Elmira P. Seranton

They recently moved where there are beautiful views. She has included a photo of the whole family.

GLC02751.40

Song of the Soldier

Selected for Mother and Sister.

I shine in the light of god/This likeness stamps my brow, Through the shadow of death my feet have trod...

GLC02751.41

Elegy for Sereno Wright

Serano is in heaven/And pain can never reach him there/No sickness comes to those who breathe that pure delightful air.

GLC02751.42

to Unknown

Clark is well now. He has sent some of his money. He has started taking the medicine Rosetta sent.

GLC02751.43

to Mrs. Eunice Wright

GLC02751.45

to my dear mother

GLC01601.01

to my dear mother

GLC01601.02

to my dear mother

GLC01601.03

to my dear mother

GLC01601.04

to mother

GLC01601.05

to mother

GLC01601.06

to mother

GLC01601.07

to mother

GLC01601.08

to Lile Miller

In this letter, Michael M. Miller writes home to his wife. He wishes she is well and says he is feeling better since the last time he wrote. He mentions that he feels like he has nothing to do but sit around. He also writes that the army is trying to...

GLC02155.125

to Lile Miller

In this letter, Michael M. Miller writes home to his wife. He wishes her a merry Christmas and hopes this is the last Christmas apart from her. Him and a friend went to a nearby place to eat and had a big meal for the holiday which he was happy about...

GLC02155.126

to Lile Miller

GLC02155.127

to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.128

to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.129

to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.130

to Lile Miller

Written from Camp at Brestow Station. He discusses whether "Grandpap's house" will be suitable to rent. Mentions that they are likely to have more visitors after the war as he will want to invite over his friends from the army and discuss their...

GLC02155.131

to Lile Miller

Writing from Camp at Brestow Station in Virginia, Miller thanks his wife for writing so often, but insists he doesn't need her to send him "a Box", presumably of food because "we now get fresh Bread all the time". He describes the rations in more...

GLC02155.132

to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.133

to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.134

to Willis and Sallie

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his brother, Willie, and his sister, Sallie, having heard from Ella Wat that they had heard nothing from him. He describes the defeat of 3000 troops at Annandale and the loss of 300 troops to death or imprisonment. He...

GLC03135.07.01

to Sallie and Mother

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister, Sallie, and his mother from Camp Fisher. He is not able to secure a furlough, so he will not be able to visit home soon. He feels certain that a major move is likely, though he does not know to where. The...

GLC03135.07.02

to Sallie and the babies

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister, Sallie, and her children from Goldsboro, NC. He speaks of Union troops advancing toward Kinston, NC, and he describes life in camp, including the mild winter and his commissary duties. Davison writes that he...

GLC03135.07.03

to Sister and the babies

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister and her children from Black Water Bridge, South Hampton County, VA. He says that he has been ordered back to his previous company, though his services probably will not be needed much longer. He is anxious to...

GLC03135.07.04

to Wife

GLC03135.08.01

to Wife

GLC03135.08.02

to Wife

GLC03135.08.03

to Wife

GLC03135.08.04

to Wife

GLC03135.08.05

to Wife

GLC03135.08.06

to William W. Alwater

GLC03137.01

to my dear mother

GLC03137.02

to my dear mother

GLC03137.03

to my dear mother

GLC03137.04

to my dear mother

GLC03137.05

to George

GLC03137.06