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to Friends at home
February 7, 1864
Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864
They will make a diversion in favor of another movement under Gilmore. Her will let her know where they move as soon as possible.
GLC02167.14
to Miss Sue Johnston
February 19, 1864
He took a walk on the beach for the first time in a long time. The weather has been very cold.
GLC02167.15
5 May 1864
He sent for the Eclectic Magazine. One of the gunboats was there the other day but he didn't know until it had left. Had he known, he would have gone aboard.
GLC02167.16
13 May 1864
Charlie came to visit and he is well. All the things they sent arrived in good condition. The new Colonel arrived. Unfortunately he is profane and drinks too much.
GLC02167.17
18 May 1864
One of the Colonels placed a truce flag on enemy lines today. He heard that the left wing of Grant's army was whipped. 17,000 men were taken prisoner. He refers to Banks' defeat.
GLC02167.18
to unknown
13 June 1864
He describes a rainstorm in which they set up tents. He talks about how they dealt with it and every mishap along the way.
GLC02167.19
29 June 1864
They have been ordered to go somewhere on boats with nine days rations. He saw Henry. Elliot and Charles are well.
GLC02167.20
4 July 1864
They marched for three hours before coming to a house that had been used by the rebels as a picket post. Some of the men destroyed furniture they found in the house. It was very hot.
GLC02167.21
6 July 1864
They marched for three miles until 2 companies were sent forward on skirmishes. They continued until they came to a bridge. After their skirmishes they drove some of the enemy from fence behind which they had become intrenched.
GLC02167.22
16 July 1864
He is no longer confident the war will end soon. Everyone is in good spirits mainly because they have been signing the payroll.
GLC02167.23
17 July 1864
He met with Capt. Griffith and told him they ought to have regular prayer meetings. Several other agreed.
GLC02167.24
circa 17 July 1864
They have regular meetings now and they are well attended. He saw Charlie and Elliot there. St. Graves' wife is ill. He heard the Rebels had over a hundred killed on July 8th.
GLC02167.25
to Dolly Davis
December 21, 1861
Davis, Samuel H., ?-1862
Writes to his wife. Discusses camp conditions and illnesses. A draft transcript is available.
GLC02738.01
January 10, 1862
Writes to his wife. Discusses illnesses in the camp. Mentions they are expecting heavy fighting soon. A draft transcript is available.
GLC02738.02
January 16, 1862
Writes to his wife. Mentions a gentleman named Henry being ill. A portion of the document is damaged and mended causing text loss on page one. A draft transcript is available.
GLC02738.03
8 June 1862
Writes to his wife. Mentions heavy fighting and shelling. A draft transcript is available.
GLC02738.04
20 July 1862
Writes to his wife from Camp Priceville, Mississippi. Discusses goods and currency values. Mentions a battle being fought in Murfreesborough (likely referring to the First Battle of Murfreesboro, fought on 13 July 1862 in Rutherford County...
GLC02738.05
24 July 1862
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
20 August 1862
Writes to his wife. Minor fading causing some text loss. A draft transcript is available.
GLC02738.07
to his friend.
10 September 1862
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 Carrie Holt
12 April 1861
Holt, Talbert, fl. 1861-1863
Writes to his wife from Fort Morgan, Alabama. Discusses his family and mentions that "the war has begun" at Fort Sumter, South Carolina.
GLC03061.01
February 26, 1862
Writes to his wife from Fort Gaines, Alabama. Reports that 12,000 of their men were taken at "ft Donaldson" (likely referring to the Battle of Fort Donelson, fought from 12-16 February 1862 in Kentucky).
GLC03061.02
16 September 1863
Writes to his wife. Describes soldiering, noting the marching they have done. Also mentions an upcoming "heavy battle."
GLC03061.03
6-7 October 1863
Writes to his wife from camp near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Describes soldiering, commenting on marching and deserters. Discusses fighting in Chattanooga, noting the shelling and the hard life of soldiering. Writes, "I changed my clothing yesterday...
GLC03061.04
[Special order No. 9]
January 20, 1865
Cody, D. C., fl. 1865
Orders for Sergeant Claig [possibly Craig or William Clegg] to report to Major Rawle for duty. Commanded by Brigadier General Evans [likely Nathan G. Evans or Clement A. Evans]. Stamped, "TRANSPORTATION FURNISHED FROM RALEIGH, N.C..."
GLC03133.07
to William Clegg
1 March 1865
Rawley, Francis, fl. 1865
Instructions for Clegg to return to Captain [C M.?] Boyce. Stamped, "TRANSPORTATION FURNISHED FROM RALEIGH, N.C..."
GLC03133.08
[Ledger]
1863-1865
Clegg, William, fl. 1859-1907
Leatherbound ledger which includes various types of lists, reports, and writings. Fragile.
GLC03133.12
[Confederate soldier William Clegg]
circa 1859-1907
Full length photograph of Clegg standing.
GLC03133.13
to Mr. Denson
March 23, 1864
Denson, Virginius S., fl. 1842
Writes four miles from Richmond, near battlefield littered with skulls and bones. Discusses problem with sending and receiving mail. Also comments on furloughs, and mentions that some deserters will be shot.
GLC03135.02.04
11 April 1864
Writes to his brother discussing possible movements of his regiment. Also mentions General Grant; his desire to see "old Abe" defeated.
GLC03135.02.05
31 May 1864
Writes to his brother discussing a battle in which he is wounded. When he was wounded, his pants were "torn and shot all to pieces and drenched in blood and my shoes came off my feet while a going through the mud, but that did not stop me..."
GLC03135.02.06
2 June 1864
Writes to his brother discussing a shortage of clothing.
GLC03135.02.07
to [Sallie Clifton]
7 May 1864
Clifton, A. D., fl. 1864
Written from "Camp Ebanezer."
GLC03135.09.01
to Sallie Clifton
25 May 1864
Written from "Camp Ebaneazer Church."
GLC03135.09.02
GLC03135.09.03
15 June 1864
Written from "Camp near Oakolono" (possibly Okolona, Mississippi).
GLC03135.09.04
25 June 1864
Written from "Camp near [Colombus]."
GLC03135.09.06
GLC03135.09.07
[Poem]
circa 1864
May or may not have been written by Clifton.
GLC03135.09.08
to Philip R. Fendall
10 June 1865
Fendall, James Robert Young, fl. 1838-1867
Discusses his attempts to secure a job with the United States government, and his deliberations about whether to take the oath of allegiance to the government.
GLC03135.11.01
4 July 1865
Discusses his employment opportunities. Mentions that if his father cannot secure him an appointment, he might seek job opportunities in New Orleans or another Southern city.
GLC03135.11.05
3 September 1865
Discusses the obvious impossibility of his taking an oath swearing that he did not help or support the Southern troops during the war. Argues that he knows many people who have received appointments and must not have taken the oath. Reiterates his...
GLC03135.11.07
Oath of allegiance to the United States
4 September 1865
Marked "copy." An oath sworn by James that he will support and uphold the federal government, witnessed by an L. Hudson.
GLC03135.11.08
[Photograph of Elias William Beach]
1861-1865
Depicts Beach later in life with a full grey beard. He is wearing a uniform adorned what appear to be G.A.R medals, and a G.A.R. hat. Image is printed on thick cardboard. This image is printed in Beach's obituary (GLC00919.25.32).
GLC00919.25.31
[Rail pass and train ticket]
August 1862
Cyril, M., fl. 1862
Contains two items. The first is a permit for Sarah Lay to travel by "rail or river" at her expense, good for one day. Issued by Major J. W. Merrill, Provost Marshal, District of Cairo, and signed by [M. Cyril]. On verso is printed, "It is...
GLC01013.30
to his wife
December 30, 1861
Mortimer, Caleb C.E., 1835-1862
Written from Camp Follett. Stationary embossed "Congress A.P. Co."
GLC01898.13
February 16, 1862
Mentions that General John H. Martindale wants to get Mortimer's battery attached to his brigade as Martindale thinks "this is the ne plus ultra of batteries." Written from Camp Follett.
GLC01898.14
February 18, 1862
Written from Camp Follett.
GLC01898.15
March 19, 1862
Mentions being near Fitz-John Porter's battery and close to the fifth Massachusetts battery. Written from Camp Fitz John Porter.
GLC01898.16
14 April 1862
Describes some action in the Peninsular campaign and the Battle of Yorktown. "...there will not probably be much fighting here for some days yet as they are landing our siege guns and mortars and getting them into position the rebels are in large...
GLC01898.17
2 May 1862
Mentions a Union hot air balloon that was used for reconnaissance. "Our big Balloon is just making preparations to take a look at the rebs they are getting very vicious and they make night hideous with the howling and bursting of shells..." Describes...
GLC01898.18
26 May 1862
Camped eight miles from Richmond, Virginia. Mentions the reconnaissance balloon again. Marked "Camp of 3rd Mass Battery" and "near Chickahominy River, Va."
GLC01898.19
4 June 1862
Mentions that they have not seen action since the Battle at Hanover Courthouse on 27 May 1862 where a of their men were wounded. States "Mac [General George B. McClellan] is confident of success and means to make a clean sweep of them this time."...
GLC01898.20
16 June 1862
Writes "the enemy's pickets in plain sight it is funny the pickets of the two armies are within thirty yds of one another and they sometimes talk across to one another." Writes about a Dr. Gaines, the man who owns the land they on which they are...
GLC01898.21
21 June 1862
States that the rebels had a "big time" last night and he heard that General Robert E. Lee got drunk. There is a lot of sickness in camp because they are near the swamp. Written from camp of the 3rd Massachusetts Battery, near New Bridge, Virginia.
GLC01898.22
[Package receipt for Caleb Mortimer]
Adams Express Company's Army & Soldiers' Package Express receipt. Package sent to Lieutenant Mortimer, Folletts Battery, Halls Hill, Virginia.
GLC01898.23
to his cousin George
Amsden, Edward W., fl. 1862-1865
GLC02156.01
to his cousin Lill
10 August 1862
GLC02156.02
GLC02156.03
17 October 1862
GLC02156.04
November 30, 1862-December 1, 1862
GLC02156.05
December 14, 1862
GLC02156.06
5 January 1863
Written on stationary labeled "Office Chief of Police, Fourteenth Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland."
GLC02156.07
February 1, 1863
Written on stationary labeled "Head-Quarters Fourteenth Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland, Office Chief of Police."
GLC02156.08
February 20, 1863
GLC02156.09
1 March 1863
GLC02156.10
to Ira Andrews
13 October 1862
Bartlett, George O., fl. 1862-1865
He discusses his health, how well he is taking to life as soldier, how much work he is getting as a tailor. Mr. Andrews is instructed on what to do with Bartlett's bounty money.
GLC02158.01
30 November 1862
He explains his financial situation, making particular references to his happiness at being out of debt. He also mentions the value of the State commissioner system which helps him deposit his money.
GLC02158.02
December 29,1862
He recounts his unit's foray into Fredericksburg and their commendation from Governor William Sprague. He reports that he has picked up some historical artifacts, including Virginian notable John Randolph's purse, and is sending them home.
GLC02158.04
4 January 1863
He explains his negative reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation saying that he did not "want to se enney more fighting dun for the nigger." Commenting on his views on the motives of Northerners he writes that the notion that the war is for Union...
GLC02158.05
8 January 1863
Bartlett discusses a relic that he is sending and the fight he had to get it.
GLC02158.06
January 21, 1863
He describes the Mud March. Discusses morale and physical health of men he knew from Rhode Island.
GLC02158.07
February 4, 1863
He explains his sentiments and the general feeling he gets from the camp about General Joseph Hooker's appointment. He also discusses the feasibility of taking a furlough at this time and the accusation of cheating directed towards Chaplin Perry....
GLC02158.08
February 23, 1863
He discusses how the men are coping with the cold weather and the delay of pay.
GLC02158.09
March 26, 1863
He discusses his health, the possibility of his own death, and his fears about the future as it relates to his finances.
GLC02158.11
24 April 1863
He discusses his health, the harshness of the weather, and his hopes of coming home for a "bolle of hur best bread and milk, dun up in thew yankey style." Bartlett ends with instructions on where and what he would like to see Mr. Andrews do with the...
GLC02158.12
3 May 1863
He declares that his unit has taken the Confederate strong hold at Fredericksburg. The letter explains what the major commanding officers like General Joseph Hooker and Major General J. Sedgwick are doing. Written in pencil.
GLC02158.13
10 May 1863
He writes about his frustration with the war's progress and the sense of defeatism he feels. He accuses the government of not thinking critically about the way in which "they use up human flesh." He also discusses the desolation of the area...
GLC02158.14
1 June 1863
Begins with a discussion of why Mr. Andrews has not written. Bartlett declares he has a toothache. Then he discusses the $200 he has saved. It means little to him at this point because he does "not care about having it much on hand when thare is a...
GLC02158.15
17 June 1863
He discusses briefly the execution of a soldier for shooting another soldier. He ends his letter with offering to give Mr. Andrews ten dollars in gold to name Andrew's new child. Written in pencil.
GLC02158.16
22 June 1863
He writes about the move to Alexandria and being out flanked by the Confederate cavalry. As he writes about walking through the place where the Second Battle of Bull Run took place, he remarks that is "sad to se the Bons of Dead men Bleachin in the...
GLC02158.17
11 July 1863
He quickly tells Andrews that he has survived a difficult battle [the Battle of Gettysburg], which he describes as being the "hardest fort Battle in this Rebellion."
GLC02158.18
to Sarah Ogden
27 May 1862
Davis, Reuben, fl. 1862
Arrived home on Saturday the 17th, says his family was surprised by and thankful for the kindness and care given by the women of the Broad and Cherry Hospital. Reports on his family's health, and tells Ogden he will not give her any instructions...
GLC06559.009
to Edward H. Ogden
9 June 1862
Writes to Edward Ogden, Sarah Ogden's husband. Asks Mr. Ogden to mail him a check payable to his name. Adds that his health has improved since he returned home. Envelope includes "T. Morris Perot & CO..." letterhead which includes a mortar &...
GLC06559.010
to his mother
December 25, 1862-December 29, 1862
Spencer, George A., fl. 1862-1864
Two letters on same sheet. The main portion contains a letter by Spencer to his mother (likely Mrs. Alice Spencer), written from "Camp parole Annaplis" (likely Annapolis, Maryland) and dated December 25, 1862. At the top of the first page is a brief...
GLC00653.21.02
to his Parents
May 15, 1864
GLC00653.21.06
June 29, 1864
GLC00653.21.07
October 12, 1864
Written from "Poplars Grove Church," Virginia. With a sketched map of entrenchments before Petersburg.
GLC00653.21.08
[Circular regarding morning reports]
23 October 1862
Irwin, Richard B., 1839-1892
Written from Headquarters, Defences of Washington. Issued by command of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks.
GLC00919.25.03
to Albert S. Pratt
July 14, 1864
Pratt, Oliver D., fl. 1863-1864
Letter written from Head Quarters, 10th Army Corps. "... we hear no news except that the rebs are up around Baltimore an Washington..." Letter written at the Bermuda Hundred.
GLC01003.03.03
November 23, 1862
GLC00653.21.01
July 9, 1863
Spencer, Henry F., fl. 1863
Henry F. Spencer describes his regiment's travels through Maryland and Pennsylvania, and mentions the Battle of Gettysburg, though does not go into much detail. Also mentions exchanging fire on July 4, evidently the last of the skirmishing after the...
GLC00653.21.03
to his Father
August 15, 1863
Letter written from Drummondtown, present-day Accomac, Virginia.
GLC00653.21.04
March 13, 1864
Letter written from "Camp Burnside near Point Isabel" (likely Point Isabele), present-day Burnside, Kentucky.
GLC00653.21.05
October 31, 1864
Letter written from "Poplars Grove Church," Virginia.
GLC00653.21.09
Ellsworth Avengers
circa 1862-1864
Song entitled "Ellsworth Avengers."
GLC00653.21.10
to Elias W. Beach
November 19, 1864
Warren, Gouverner K., 1830-1882
Letter written on Head Quarters Fifth Army Corps letterhead. "I have the honor to furnish you my autograph as you requested."
GLC00919.25.01
Permission for Elias W. Beach to visit Mount Vernon
June 2, 1865
Clapp, Channing, fl. 1865
Letter written from Head Quarters, Engineer Brigade, near Fort Berry. Clapp, assistant adjutant general, gives Beach a one day pass by command of General Henry W. Benham to visit Mount Vernon.
GLC00919.25.02
[Plan of a military headquarters or camp]
Hand drawn plan noting the position of captains, surgeons, colonels, chaplains, and cooks.
GLC00919.25.04
December 1, 1864
Humphreys, Andrew Atkinson, 1810-1883
Humphreys responds to Beach's request for an autograph.
GLC00919.25.05
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