Collection Search

to Elvira Winegar

He thinks he should probably give up trying for a furlough. He tells her she shouldn't put Lt. Tarnkam's name on his letters anymore since they sent him back to the regiment because they did not like him.

GLC01014.081

to Elvira Winegar

He says she can get George to look after things if he has not gone yet, if so get Philip. It is doubtful that he will get a furlough.

GLC01014.082

to Elvira Winegar

He talks about the cost of butter. He has not received a letter from Waits' folks in a while. He would like to hear from Mr. Pier.

GLC01014.083

to Elvira Winegar

He thinks the rebels will get their death blow this fall and winter so that the war will end this winter. He has been selling apples.

GLC01014.084

to Elvira Winegar

He has the ague real bad and it has prevented him from writing to her sooner. He asks her to send him a a neck handkerchief and some butter. He is still selling apples.

GLC01014.085

to Elvira Winegar

They have shut down on sick furloughs. Selling the apples pays for his butter and milk.

GLC01014.086

to Elvira Winegar

He had ague again but not very bad this time. He broke his darning needle. He is waiting on some oysters.

GLC01014.087

to Elvira Winegar

He is well again and is looking forward to working. Bill is working nearby and he went to see him yesterday. He had his picture taken the other day and will send it to her.

GLC01014.088

to Elvira Winegar

He wants Burt to live with her this winter. The 95th is currently in camp about a mile from where he is. He asks for more butter.

GLC01014.089

to Elvira Winegar

He has been working a little every day. Bill came to see him yesterday.

GLC01014.090

to Elvira Winegar

He is sorry she is having such a hard time. He thinks she should buy her butter instead of taking care of a cow. Recently, they built themselves a fireplace.

GLC01014.091

to Lelia Winegar

He assures his daughter he will not forget her. He can't come home now but he is thinking of her.

GLC01014.092

to Elvira Winegar

He will send money as soon as he gets paid. He wants to go home badly. He thinks his health is improving every day.

GLC01014.093

to Elvira Winegar

He has been having ague again but has been drinking quinine to break it up. They got 2 months pay and he sent 25 dollars to her. He expects to get paid again soon.

GLC01014.094

to Elvira Winegar

He wishes there was some way she could come see him. He thinks George's health is improving.

GLC01014.095

to Elvira Winegar

He is glad she got the well cleaned out. They have to work to bring three engines from the railroad to the river. He will send some more money soon.

GLC01014.096

to Elvira Winegar

He won't send her the money just yet because it is expensive to send, so he may find someone to take it to her. George is well.

GLC01014.097

to Elvira Winegar

He asks her to let him know when she receives the money he sent. Bill went to Tennessee and he hasn't heard from him since.

GLC01014.098

to Elvira Winegar

Everyone is feeling good over the news from Chattanooga and he hopes the war will end soon. He doesn't work in the shop anymore so there is not much work to do now.

GLC01014.099

to Elvira Winegar

He is glad someone is cutting her wood for her. There was a hard rain. He thinks he has enough money to send her so she can fence the garden.

GLC01014.100

to Elvira Winegar

He is very healthy and fat now. He likes Lt. Keeler, a first-rate officer. He heard Ed wants his overcoat.

GLC01014.101

to Elvira Winegar

He bought a new overcoat. James Bennett came to see him and is on his way home because he is sick of the cotton business.

GLC01014.102

to Elvira Winegar

George is mad because he hasn't received any letters. They are currently burning wood to run the engines. They will go to Black River and load them onto the cars.

GLC01014.103

to Elvira Winegar

A move will be taking place soon but he does not know if he will have to go. Bill should be back soon. A lot of wives are down there right now.

GLC01014.104

to Elvira Winegar

Gen. Hurlbut is there and they are organizing a large force to move somewhere. He saw Bill Gallagher and he sould see Bill Redfield in a day or two.

GLC01014.105

to Elvira Winegar

He had dinner with Bill. Bill is going to work on a bridge. He heard that Phil is married now. George's eyes are getting better and he can go on picket now.

GLC01014.106

to Elvira Winegar

They have not heard from the army since they passed Jackson. Phil owes him a letter. The weather has been cold. He has not seen Bill for days.

GLC01014.107

to Elvira Winegar

He bought a new overcoat and blanket. He will send them home. It is hard to tell where they will go next.

GLC01014.108

to Elvira Winegar

They are working on the fortifications. They do the mechanical work but the digging and lifting is done by the black men. George and Miller are well.

GLC01014.109

to Elvira Winegar

He believes he will get paid soon. He sent her a ring. Bill is at Black River but he has not seen him. Mrs. Hill is enjoying herself.

GLC01014.110

to Elvira Winegar

Bill came in with him and George the other day. Gen. Hurlbut returned from his expedition. He has not see Bill Gallagher yet. He mentions the ring he made for her again.

GLC01014.111

to Elvira Winegar

Bill Gallagher was there last Sunday but has gone up the river again. Gunther Hathaway was either killed or taken prisoner. He doesn't know when they will get paid next.

GLC01014.112

to Elvira Winegar

He describes Mrs. Hill's room. He received a letter from Uncle Ira and all are well. Nearly all of the old regiment reenlisted. He hopes Lincoln will be reelected.

GLC01014.113

to Elvira Winegar

He knows they will go up to Tennessee when the Red River expedition is over but beyond that he doesn't know where they will go since the army is getting reorganized in the spring. He says the fortifications will be the strongest in the United States.

GLC01014.115

to Elvira Winegar

He has not heard from the regiment in some time, but suspects they will go to Black River when they come back. They may not get any pay for a long time.

GLC01014.116

to Elvira Winegar

He has had the ague but is feeling better this morning. The 95th is going up the river when they come back from the Red River expedition. He got a letter from Burt who is running for collector.

GLC01014.117

to Elvira Winegar

The regiment is about 200 miles up Red River. They expect to go back to the regiment but no one knows when. William Stevenson is sick.

GLC01014.118

to Elvira Winegar

He is still overseeing the building of the fortifications. All the flowers are coming up for spring.

GLC01014.119

to Elvira Winegar

They got orders to take ten days rations with them.

GLC01014.120

to Elvira Winegar

They have skirmished with the rebels nearly every day. When he gets his pay he will give it to his father to keep for him.

GLC01014.121

to Elvira Winegar

He is trying to live so he can come back to his wife and children. He feels unworthy of loving her. He tells her to take it easy and that he has sent another ring.

GLC01014.122

to Elvira Winegar

Jesse Hawes, navilla and Johnny are there. He has sent something home by Mrs/ Hill and 50 dollars. Bill should be home next fall.

GLC01014.123

to Elvira Winegar

They came upon a large force of the Rebels. The Rebels marched them on the double quick for about five miles in the middle of the day. Lt. Tishel was wounded. Rollins and Williams were killed.

GLC01014.124

to Elvira Winegar

There is another expedition starting from here to try to drive the Rebels out of the country. George and Bill are there. Fe have been killed or wounded.

GLC01014.125

to Elvira Winegar

Gerell is getting along great and so is everyone that was wounded. It is getting very warm but he doesn't want to move until it is cooler. John Rolling is trying to find his brother that was killed.

GLC01014.126

to Elvira Winegar

They are not doing much. Luther Lawrence was there yesterday. He has been going to meetings and listening to preaching twice on Sundays.

GLC01014.127

to Elvira Winegar

They have a first rate camp and it is so warm they are not using tents. He goes over who has gotten better and who will be getting discharged soon due to injury or sickness.

GLC01014.128

to Elvira Winegar

Billy Garret is doing better and will be getting a furlough shortly. He describes his bed. He received her picture.

GLC01014.129

to Elvira Winegar

Will Brigg was wounded and taken prisoner. He has a cane head that was made from the tree that Vicksburg was surrendered under.

GLC01014.130

to Elvira Winegar

They were married ten years ago and he says she is better than he deserved.

GLC01014.131

to Elvira Winegar

He has not seen Bill Redfield since they went out. He got a photograph of Col. Humphrey which he is enclosing. George is very healthy and has charge of the cooking.

GLC01014.132

to Elvira Winegar

Jesse Thawes was taken prisoner. He was skirmishing and got in the Rebels' lines before he knew it. He thinks Bill is out on the railroad. A man shot himself through the hand.

GLC01014.133

to Elvira Winegar

He asks her to let him know when she is going to Iowa and how long she will be there. He sent her a couple photographs and will get his own photograph to send to her.

GLC01014.134

to Elvira Winegar

George got a letter from Marillo last night. His father's health is very poor. He cannot tell which way they are going but will write when he finds out.

GLC01014.135

to Elvira Winegar

They landed at their current location on the 6th. He says there is not much of a town there. He has been on picket duty a lot so now there are things to do.

GLC01014.136

to Elvira Winegar

They are building fortifications which keeps them busy nearly all the time. They finally got their tents so they can get out of the rain.

GLC01014.137

to Elvira Winegar

The health of the regiment is good. Letter extremely faded.

GLC01014.138

to Elvira Winegar

He has charge of the woodwork on the fort. They will get 2 months worth of pay soon. Anderson died. Includes separate letter to sister on back page.

GLC01014.139

to Elvira Winegar

He loves her picture. He doesn't know where he is going yet but will let her know. Bill's time is almost up and he will be going home. He says to let Phill live in the shop this winter.

GLC01014.140

to Elvira Winegar

They are in Dwalls Bluff but have orders to go up the river and find the Rebels. A friend was discharged so he might send some money by him.

GLC01014.141

to Elvira Winegar

Mrs. Hill has come down again and has brought him and George some dried currents. He may have to go on an expedition and might not be able to write for some time.

GLC01014.142

to Elvira Winegar

He sent a blouse and a woolen shirt for her to keep for him. Dom and Ed came to visit. He asks her if she sent his photograph to Michigan.

GLC01014.143

to Elvira Winegar

They left Brownsville and have marched everyday since. They have traveled about 350 miles total. He is hoping to get some newspapers soon. Written at Camp Girardeau.

GLC01014.145

to Elvira Winegar

Burt started home last Saturday. He received a letter from Mr. Pier. He has been making money making rings. Even in the army he makes money.

GLC01014.049

to Elvira Winegar

They are camped near where the Vicksburg and Little Rock railroads meet up. They had to abandon the first canal and are digging another at Young Point. He said she doesn't have to worry about him getting killed because he doesn't enter combat.

GLC01014.050

to Elvira Winegar

They have the rebels cut off from Texas. Farragut shelled them out yesterday. There are about 70 Black men in their company. He says says they are all stout so they do all the hard work.

GLC01014.051

to Elvira Winegar

They got a chance to go to the river in a flat boat. That's where he found Bill. Later he heard that Schauck was dead. They are now ten miles from Vicksburg. He bought some tobacco and sold it for a profit.

GLC01014.052

to Elvira Winegar

He thinks she should try to get Burt to come and live with her. They expect to get four months pay soon. There has been some fighting at Vicksburg and he believes they will take it before long. His friend Charles Toby is with him.

GLC01014.053

to Elvira Winegar

They have been on the march. Eventually they saw a man on the road who turned out to be the paymaster and they were ordered to sign pay rolls. He sent money to his wife and is making something for his sister.

GLC01014.054

to Elvira Winegar

Bill is there and they are going down to the bayou today. The 95th will be there in a day or two.

GLC01014.055

to Elvira Winegar

Ink bleeds across words making it illegible.

GLC01014.056

to Elvira Winegar

George is not very well but he is with the regiment. He says she should not go to Iowa until June when it will be more pleasant. He is thinking about how much the baby has grown. He can't believe how much time has gone by.

GLC01014.057

to Elvira Winegar

They are fifteen miles from Richmond and currently have about 400 prisoners. Bill left with the division that morning. They are building a bridge across the bayou.

GLC01014.058

to Elvira Winegar

George Sackett says he will will smuggle all the things his wife sent him through for him. They are 25 miles from Vicksburg now. His baby will be a year old soon and he wishes he could be there.

GLC01014.059

to Elvira Winegar

He doesn't know where they are going or how long it will take to move. He thanks her for the butter and tea she sent. He hopes they can get out of the swamps soon.

GLC01014.060

to Elvira Winegar

The 95th has been in 2 fights. They lost the first fight. Capt. Munser and Capt. Cornewell were killed.

GLC01014.061

Capt. Munser

They are often not put where there there is much danger so she doesn't need to worry. He hasn't heard from Thomas. Ink has bled across letter making most of it illegible.

GLC01014.062

to Elvira Winegar

They have been working hard, making roads and rifles. The sharpshooters are at work now. Soon they will be ready to seize the place. He has not heard from her in a while.

GLC01014.063

to Elvira Winegar

They were out last night building a fort. They are preparing to fight but he does not think the rebels can hold out much longer.

GLC01014.064

to Elvira Winegar

Five rebels came over to their lines last night and said they are hard up in Vicksburg and think they will give up before long. The Lieutenant is a different man now and he is not as well liked as the other one was.

GLC01014.065

to Elvira Winegar

He lists all the people that have been killed recently. He wishes she would leave Iowa and go home where she can take care of things better than anyone else.

GLC01014.066

to Elvira Winegar

George Kelley came to see him. They are in the same place and will be there until Vicksburg is taken. They will get 2 months pay soon and he will send it to his father so he can send some to her.

GLC01014.067

to Elvira Winegar

He has been under the weather lately. He is glad she has been enjoying herself. Brother George is not doing well but will probably not be discharged until Vicksburg is taken.

GLC01014.068

to Elvira Winegar

The blockade was run last night. There were 400 of them. They are 20 miles from Vicksburg. Includes map of their camping grounds. The date is possibly April 28, 1863.

GLC01014.069

GLC01014.069

He wishes he could see his family. He is waiting for the paymaster and hopes he will get 4 months pay.

GLC01014.070

to Elvira Winegar

He wants her to make up her mind about whether she wants Burt to live him this winter or whether she wants to stay with her father. He has not seen George in a couple of days but he was doing poorly.

GLC01014.071

to Elvira Winegar

They finally got Vicksburg and all the troops there. They got their pay for two months.

GLC01014.072

Capt. Munser

They are camped about a mile from Vicksburg. George is in the hospital and he hopes he will get to go home. They took 23,000 prisoners.

GLC01014.073

to Elvira Winegar

They are down at the railroad depot and most are working on all kinds of railroads. He describes Vicksburg as a hard looking place now. Billy was killed in that "Pennsylvania fight" (possibly Gettysburg).

GLC01014.074

to Elvira Winegar

He keeps wishing and hoping the paymaster will come soon and give them 2 months worth of pay. He thinks George will go home soon. The 95th has gone to Natchez.

GLC01014.075

to Elvira Winegar

George is looking very thin. He will go North in a few days but still doesn't know if he will get a furlough yet. Thomas died.

GLC01014.076

to Elvira Winegar

They will be staying where they are for some time. He got a letter from Burt who says he will be working for Hank or Sanders' house.

GLC01014.077

to Elvira Winegar

He heard the division had gone down the river to relieve Gen. Ransom's brigade at Natchez.

GLC01014.078

to Elvira Winegar

He has a new doctor who he believes is helping him. Bill came and stayed with him a few days. He saw George Kelley. Soon they will have another chance for furloughs.

GLC01014.079

to Elvira Winegar

"It is impossible for him to come home now. They've heard that the paymaster is in Memphis." He mentions that the formally enslaved individuals are arriving everyday and, "there must be over a thousand now."

GLC01014.034

to Elvira Winegar

There was a fire in the last town. They salvaged what they could from the millinery shop and so forth. He is sending a box home.

GLC01014.035

to Elvira Winegar

They have been having good luck with the boat they are moving. They will get extra pay for their work. Burt has the measles. He talks of sending various items home via other people.

GLC01014.036

to Elvira Winegar

Possible water damage and very faded.

GLC01014.037

to Elvira Winegar

He is glad she is getting along with the taxes. George had the typhoid fever but not very bad. He admires a particular captain in their company who is very clever.

GLC01014.038

to Elvira Winegar

He wishes she would write more often, at least twice a week. He gets quite lonely and it does him good to hear from her.

GLC01014.039