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to wife
1864
Boston, John W., fl. 1862-1865
the Rebels are giving them trouble but they captured 400 prisoners and cannons and wagons.does not think it will be long before they come home.
GLC09315.45
January 23, 1865
very concerned because he has not received any mail from her in a while. wants to know if she received the money he sent.
GLC09315.46
1865
has not received any mail from her in 40 days. they have orders to march on tomorrow morning.
GLC09315.47
very faded, possible water damage.
GLC09315.48
writes that the officers are being very mean with them and they haven't even received their pay. still believes it will not be long until he is home though.
GLC09315.52
to Annie
February 27, 1862
Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863
explains that he doesn't always have time to write and his letters may not be that interesting. he expects his first fight to be in Norfolk and says they may not be home for three years. Written in Camp Hamilton, first named Camp Troy.
GLC09354.02
March 24, 1862
writes there will be a forward movement. 20,000 more have joined them. they are getting ready to attack Norfolk. writes "before I came to the South, I had some sympathy for the slaves, but it has all gone..."
GLC09354.05
March 30, 1862
feels like he has nothing interesting to say. very homesick. feels homesick the most when he is on picket duty.
GLC09354.06
13 April 1862
the battle of Yortown rages around them but so far their loss is small and infantry has not been engaged. understands that war is dangerous but it doesn't seem all that real to him.
GLC09354.07
describes what picket duty is. writes it involves scouting around the country. they they their food with them, nothing but corned beef and hard bread. they also do provost-duty, and stay with farmers and watch their movements.
GLC09354.08
20 July 1862
marched 20 miles without food or water when the Rebels attacked them. there were heavy losses on both sides. writes that Sunday is like any other day in the army and there is no time off to attend church.
GLC09354.09
27 April 1862
thinks the coasting affair was quite funny. still very homesick but makes it clear he doesn't want to get out of the army but he does think of home at time. currently experiencing a drenching rain.Written at Camp Hamilton
GLC09354.10
December 21, 1862
has received a full discharge from the army. hopes his arm will be entirely well by the Spring.
GLC09354.13
to Bill
February 5, 1863
Barwood, James, fl. 1863-1870
writes at great length about slavery and abolition. thinks the institution of slavery is repugnant, but at the same time, thinks it helped to introduce blacks to civilization and that they are better off now than they were before.
GLC09358.1
18 September 1863
one side of Fort Sumter is battered and they have the whole of Morris Island. 12 of their crew are prisoners. predicts it will take one or two more years for the war to end.
GLC09358.2
to Ira Cole
8 November 1864
Bundy, E.B., fl. 1864
Letter for which the certificate for $106.80 is enclosed.
GLC08291.24
to John Cole
27 November 1864
Letter acknowledges receipt of $10.60 and says they could not find anyone who knew whether or not he had a servant,
GLC08291.25
to Caf
21 September 1861
The author would be happy to hear from Frank but supposes he is angry with women. Hopes they both return safe to Washington.
GLC08291.29
to Mother
March 28, 1864
Lowrie, James Addison, 1843-?
it has been reported that there are 30,000 yankees at Washington. sooner or later they will have to face the music. Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina
GLC08300.30
18 July 1864
left Richmond last month and have been marching ever since. are now on their way back from Maryland within 4 miles of Washington.
GLC08300.38
to Maria
February 15, 1864
Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865
planning to go to Cinncinatti for a week. has been writing a letter for the Captain's "darky" to his sweetheart. would like to be in Washington if they get orders to leave Cumberland.
GLC08311.13
14 December 1864
Appears to be a draft of a letter as most of it looks like notes taken or someone jotting ideas down about the North and South.
GLC08291.26
to Frank
circa 1861-1864
A note of encouragement for Frank telling him to keep his spirits up. Refers to the "qouta" that La Grosse has filled.
GLC08291.27
to Brother
3 November 1862
Capt. Mann has resigned and gone home. mentions Bill Browning
GLC08300.01
28 August 1862
marched out three miles, saw several of Blackburn's company. have reached a point where there will be no more furloughs.Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia
GLC08300.02
18 September 1862
three miles from Drury's Bluff. does not know if they will camp there.
GLC08300.03
28 September 1862
it was reported that they would go to Williamsburg to attack the yankees but they ended up getting as far as Charles City. passed by General McClellan's army.
GLC08300.04
30 September 1862
started up for Petersburg with the expectation of going to Richmond but when they got there, there was no transportation, so they stayed in a camp opposite Drury's Bluff, recovered their ground and ended up three miles north of Richmond.
GLC08300.05
7 October 1862
the Colonel is sick and went to town. thinks it would be better if he never got back. received the news of the death of a friend, Tira Crews.
GLC08300.06
20 October 1862
too faded to read. possible water damage.
GLC08300.07
18 October 1862
in bed with the mumps, but expects to be well again soon. does not like having to pay for food that is scarce like chicken or sweet potatoes, but hasn't been able to eat much anyway.
GLC08300.08
10 November 1862
fire damage. "within six miles of pepper 6."
GLC08300.09
27 November 1862
has had the jaundice but is getting over it. very glad she didn't send a blanket because he has too much to carry. believes they will move tomorrow but does not know where they will go.Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.
GLC08300.10
4 December 1862
writes that their rations have been reduced to crackers and beef. passed by the 22nd regiment the other day. they all appeared well and looked like they had been marching for 12 days.Written in a camp near Fredericksburg
GLC08300.11
December 17, 1862
a great deal of the company has been wounded or killed. hoping to get a furlough soon.
GLC08300.12
22 December 1862
sick with pneumonia
GLC08300.13
December 27, 1862
his wound is improving. still suffering from pneumonia. sent to Farmville to recuperate.
GLC08300.14
January 23, 1863
currently has very bad pain. they have recommended him for a furlough.
GLC08300.15
11 September 1863
is now in very good health. had a tiresome journey and had to stay in Richmond a couple of nights. they will move soon. has been doing some drilling that hurts his foot.
GLC08300.16
12 September 1863
heard they might follow the 21st regiment, but no such luck. writes they have been drilling twice a day and they have a general review this week. Written in a camp near Orange, Virginia
GLC08300.17
21 September 1863
left camp last Monday and marched out on the river for a fight. heard that East Tennesee has been evacuated and Charleston has gone.Written in a camp near Rapidan River, Virginia
GLC08300.18
9 October 1863
has had a headache for several days. advised to keep two days rations on hand. does not know know if there will be a fight soon. Written in a camp near Rapidan River, Virginia
GLC08300.19
4 November 1863
in very feeble health. in camp two miles from Brandy Station. asks her to send him all kinds of food.
GLC08300.20
9 November 1863
very weak. hoping for a furlough. if he doesn't get one, he will ask for a transfer to Raleigh.
GLC08300.21
16 November 1863
still weak, but a little better. would like to hear of someone that escaped their company so he can write to them. learned that they are fighting again on the Rappiaan.
GLC08300.22
8 January 1864
came into Raleigh with Henry Barrow. now in robust health. twelve miles from Orange. some of the boys are getting furlough and there is one case of small pox.
GLC08300.23
January 14, 1864
have been eating two meals a day.will have to go on picket duty down by the river soon. Written in a camp near Rapidan River, Virginia
GLC08300.24
January 25, 1864
left camp last Thursday. will stay here four or five days and then then company will go to Salisbury.
GLC08300.25
February 7, 1864
just got back from Newbern where they had a skirmish and managed to the drive the yankees back to town. saw Rob as they were marching to witness the execution of two N. Carolineans who deserted their army.Written in a camp near Kinston, North...
GLC08300.26
7 March 1864
water damage, unable to read. Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina
GLC08300.27
March 29, 1864
cannot be read.Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina
GLC08300.31
4 April 1864
GLC08300.32
17 April 1864
marched about 3 miles and lay in wait of a battle but the yankees did not advance so they went back to their old camp. expects there to be fighting on Thursday. Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina
GLC08300.33
24 April 1864
mentions Rob who he saw recently and received a letter, Mrs. Mary Garamea who is living in town. Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina
GLC08300.34
25 May 1864
now in Hanover, Junction, VA. there is some pretty hard fighting over in Pennsylvania. never been so tired in his life. has been marching day and night for some time.
GLC08300.35
8 June 1864
sick and tired. resting today but expects they will move again soon. has not heard from Rob in a while. the rations have been very good lately.
GLC08300.36
12 June 1864
have been resting for 4 or 5 days now. have started to draw clothing as part of their rations. has not heard from Rob in a good while.
GLC08300.37
they were in Maryland one day and and left there yesterday morning. marched a distance of 20 miles. is so, so tired of marching. the rations have been scant.
GLC08300.39
6 September 1864
there was a very severe skirmish at Smithfield the 28th of last month. heard the news that J.S Loukey died but hopes it is not true.
GLC08300.40
15 September 1864
tired of fighting. wants the war to end, but sees no prospect of stopping. has not heard from Rob and fears he may have been captured or killed since the fighting in Atlanta was severe.
GLC08300.41
to Mrs. Ann E. Lowry
24 September 1864
Saunders, J.H., fl. 1862
informs her that her son was wounded and has lost a leg.
GLC08300.42
4 October 1864
assures his mother that he is doing fine considering the circumstances. he is treated well and has plenty to eat. A.C McKinney came to visit him
GLC08300.43
13 October 1864
the doctor says he is doing very well. still afraid that Rob has been killed.
GLC08300.44
19 October 1864
informs her it will be some time before he gets home, for they won't let him leave until he is perfectly well. they treat him good.
GLC08300.45
26 October 1864
still has pain, but is doing very well. hopes to be home by Christmas.
GLC08300.46
6 November 1864
his wound is healing very nicely. will be able to get out of bed soon. glad she is doing well with the farm. asks her to save some apples for him.
GLC08300.47
17 November 1864
upset his wound is not yet healed, so he may not be home yet for Christmas. his one consolation is that he'll be able to stay. writes "what am I now, but a poor and aged soldier, a cripple for life..." but is thankful he survived.
GLC08300.48
24 November 1864
his wound is now nearly healed and soon it won't be so painful. still worried about Rob.
GLC08300.49
4 December 1864
the wound is healed but he has an absess so it it is very painful. still fears he won't be home in time for Christmas.
GLC08300.50
to Aunt Ann E. Lowry
February 21, 1865
Frazer, Dorothy F., fl. 1865
wants to hear from Aunt Sarah and the boys. heard that John is sickly.. Abner Walker's wife is likely to die
GLC08300.51
January 24, 1864
arrived today. before she came there was a skirmish between Cleveland and Erie which killed six and wounded thirty. stopped at the Adams house and then went on to the European Hotel.
GLC08311.01
February 3, 1865
learned that Mr. Mellon of Cinncinati had charge of the plantations and had annulled all of his predecessors. had to go to Memphis where he came aboard a crowded a boat. currently in a copperhead state.
GLC08311.02
February 9, 1865
endured a dangerous ice crossing. in order to get everyone acorss they used a skiff. on the other side he met his aunt and uncle. currently in Des Moines, which he describes as "quite a town."
GLC08311.03
February 13, 1865
arrived at his next destination on Thursday night. saw a lot of farms with horses and witnessed the slaying of a few chickens. from there he went to Homer which he described as dreary. is now in Webster City.
GLC08311.04
wishes she could be there and see the country. saw a painted barn. likes Webster than any place of its size. Wallace has been buying furs from a man in Iowa City.
GLC08311.05
to Maria, Elma, Amus, Johnny and Co.
discusses a possible purchase of land he might make.
GLC08311.06
March 15, 1865
records his movements. encountered snow and ice. The third morning out they found a fleet of chickens. decided to shoot some.
GLC08311.08
March 21, 1865
has been informed of Mother's death. weather is cold. the price on farms is low now.
GLC08311.09
January 26, 1864
writing from onboard a ship. filled with interesting lines like "take a dutch man and saturate him with whiskey and lager and give him the everlasting pipe and he is a nice animal..."
GLC08311.10
January 27, 1864
arrived in Cumberland, MD. too cold to look about yet. suspects he will not be able to save his money like he did last winter.
GLC08311.11
February 8, 1864
explains that he doesn't always have something to write about which explains why she doesn't get a letter at every mail. it began to snow yesterday. General Crook is out sledding with some woman. he is a bachelor.
GLC08311.12
February 26, 1864
went to Cincinnati with the company of a 2M clerk passing through Wheeling. visited Harry Blackburn and family. the streets of Cincinnati were filled with flags on account of the fall of Charleston. General Crook and Kelly were captured.
GLC08311.14
will move tomorrow, destination unknown. some think they are going to Panville, N.C.
GLC08311.15
March 24, 1864
south of Petersburg. yesterday there was a review of the 2nd corps. very rainy and windy weather.thinks they're better situated then they were last summer.
GLC08311.16
25 August 1864
went out in a picket line and saw several hundred shots fired but not one hit a man. saw about 15 prisoners brought in yesterday. lists the goverment prices for rations sold to officers. Written at a camp near Hall Town
GLC08311.17
28 August 1864
they took near 200 prisoners and killed how many he doesn't know. if the Rebels do not leave they may stay there for a couple more days.Written in Bolivar Heights, near Harper's Ferry
GLC08311.18
10 September 1864
17 miles from Harper's Ferry. artillery going on 2 or 3 miles away. one of the boys shot an adder in the tent the other day. it was a foot long. if he had gone to Harrisburg, he would have gotten $500 local bounty.
GLC08311.19
14 September 1864
has sent her $150. bought a gum blanket. writes about his friend and complains about a clerk who is very lazy and pretends to cook. . rumored that if it had not been for the Harper Ferry's raid, Virginia would not have seceded.
GLC08311.20
1 October 1864
sent back in the wagon train from Woodstock to attend to the loading of the supply train. describes Martinsburg as a lively town.
GLC08311.21
3 October 1864
writes that his wardrobe is suffering and it would be handy to have a woman about. writes the place they are now is much more "human."
GLC08311.22
8 October 1864
writes that she is a very good business woman. read in the paper that they will repair the Orange and Alexandria railroad. has been sleeping on the ground in the open air. his stomach has been acting up. Written at Fisher's Hill
GLC08311.23
21 October 1864
"I have seen the dark and the bright side of a battle..." describes the battle of Cedar Creek. heavy artillery. one of the colonels was shot by a man in their uniform. very eloquent in his battle description.
GLC08311.24
30 October 1864
waiting for his friend Levi to get a leave of absence. talks about his cook. writes that his ankles are bad and has had a doctor look at them.
GLC08311.25
7 November 1864
assures her that non combatants are rarely exposed to death or capture, their trains are guarded by over 1000 men and many have artillery with them. actually prefers army life to home because there is no rent to pay and no taxes (except income).
GLC08311.26
to Annis, Lida and Master Johnny
11 November 1864
assks Annis to knit him a new pair of socks. describes the scenery to Lida and Johnny.
GLC08311.27
the infantry has left Cedar Creek and moved within 8 miles of Winchester. Father Abraham is reelected by a heavy majority.
GLC08311.28
20 November 1864
a quarter of the company is on train-guard. describes his dinner. notes that the price of gold is coming down. warns her not to count the days until he comes home or else it will seems lomgrt.
GLC08311.29
asks her what she had on Thanksgiving. tells her what a friend had on Thanksgiving. the men captured two teams. the Rebels are in force about 30 miles up the valley.
GLC08311.30
2 December 1864
Levi has rooms in Winchester now and expects Helen to join him in a few weeks. the railroad is finished within four miles of WInchester. Written at Camp Russell
GLC08311.31
January 29, 1865
Levi's family arrived from Martinsburg. when the brigade was disbanded, Levi retained his two clerks and they were ordered to Beverly where all but a hundred were captured. does not know where they will go next.
GLC08311.32
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