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to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Camp McDowell. Reports he's had a terrible tooth-ache and has not been able to sleep for four days. Complains of constant rain. Mentions rumors they are heading to Fairfax. States they have orders for a long march and can...

GLC03523.20.02

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a battle field three miles outside Manassas Junction. Describes in detail a fierce battle that lasted five hours and resulted in 60 killed or wounded soldiers. Expects another large battle soon.

GLC03523.20.03

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Harrison's Landing. Expresses concern for her health. Inquires how the new baby is doing. Mentions he sent her ten dollars. States he is watching for Rebel gunboats. Expects to move on to Malvern Hill soon. Complains of...

GLC03523.20.04

to Sister and Father

First half of letter written to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Includes newspaper clippings, noting that they are in regards to General George McCall and his division, as well as some "poetry dedicated to the Ranger's which I knew you will like it...

GLC03523.08.24

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Expresses pleasure at receiving her letters, and the Herald and Danbury newspapers. Reports he has seen nephew George and he is very thin. States the rebels will have to capture the forts before...

GLC03523.20.06

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Informs he was officer of the day. Reports he must take the company to Fort Ward. Mentions that a complete siege train is being prepared at the Washington arsenal for a sudden move. Suspects their...

GLC03523.20.10

to Father

Writes from Camp Pierpont telling him that Christmas and New Year's "passed off pleasently and on New Years day we had a grand Oyster Dinner." Provides detail about picketing, particularly noting the harsh and cold weather. Relays military...

GLC03523.08.26

to Father

Writing from Camp Pierpont, he summarizes the military news for his father. Recently heard that some New York troops are coming across Chain Bridge, and that Birneys Zouaves (23rd Regiment) are coming to the area. Mentions that General George...

GLC03523.08.27

to Sister

Writes from Camp Pierpont, informing his sister that they are preparing to move against the enemy at Centreville and Manassas Junction, Virginia. He estimates however, that it will be two weeks before they actually make a move. Encloses a...

GLC03523.08.28

to Sister

Reports from Camp Pierpont, telling his father that they expect an attack from the Rebels any day. Relays that Centreville is fortified by about 60,000 Rebel troops and 175 pieces of artillery. Informs him about General George McClellan's plan to...

GLC03523.08.29

to Sister

Summarizes daily duties to his sister, from Camp Pierpont. Tells her that he expects that General Ambrose Burnside's expedition will take place soon. Writes "I got nothing new to write it is the same old thing out here Rain Rain Rain Mud Mud Mud...

GLC03523.08.30

to Father and Sister

First half of letter written to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports that The Burnside [General Ambrose Burnside] Expedition is "somewhere down South now." Communicates to her his opinion that "you better hunt of husband than a situation as a...

GLC03523.08.31

to Father

Reports to his father from Camp Pierpont, mentioning that Union General Charles Stone has been rearrested and sent to Fort Lafayette. "The following are the charges brought against him. 1st For misbeavior at the Battle of Balls Bluff. 2nd For holding...

GLC03523.08.32

to Sister

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, informing her that Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Roanoke Island have been captured. Also mentions "the taking of Winchester and Savannah. The evacuation of Springfield and Bowling Green." Speaks of...

GLC03523.08.33

to Father

Reports that he is waiting to board a fleet, but does not yet know where he is going. Notes there are 80,000 troops who will also possibly go to Richmond. Describes their march from Hunters Mill to Alexandria. States "we were a hollering Crackers at...

GLC03523.08.35

to Father

Summarizes his regiment's movements for his father, noting that they are currently at [Catalin] Station, Virginia but working their way towards Yorktown. Mentions that General George McClellan has 600 pieces of artillery at Yorktown, and that General...

GLC03523.08.36

to Sister

Writes that the Rebels have retreated, but have destroyed the bridge going across the Rappahannock River. Informs her that Fredricksburg is now in their possession, and that Rebels have destroyed two million dollars worth of property there...

GLC03523.08.37

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Expresses deep love for her. Comments "It will be a source of great gratification for me to know that we have done our share towards preserving the Union and Liberties of our country." Inquires...

GLC03523.20.08

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Reports he took the company to Fort Ward for a very severe brigade review and inspection. Expresses deep love for her. Expects to move to the front as artillery. Reports Union General Ambrose...

GLC03523.20.09

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Inquires about the shirt and socks she sent him. Informs her the gun he fires into Petersburg is called the Petersburg Express and takes fourteen seconds to reach its target. Mentions...

GLC03523.20.11

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses how down-hearted and lonesome he feels. Reports heavy artillery on the picket lines, even at night. Informs her they will use new thirteen inch mortar shells that weigh 200...

GLC03523.20.12

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Complains about the lack of letters from her and expresses his deep need to receive word from her. Requests the New York papers be sent to him. Says he is extremely lonely and camp...

GLC03523.20.13

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Complains about the lack of letters from her. Expresses anxiety about her well-being. Suspects the siege has not begun yet. States he is not kept busy enough, and they cannot get the...

GLC03523.20.14

to Father

Informs his father that they are preparing for battle, and will move across the river where they will meet about 25,000 Rebel soldiers. Reports that a portion of General Nathaniel Bank's troops have come, but because the Confederates have "worked...

GLC03523.08.38

to Father

Provides his father with a comprehensive military report. Mentions that General Irvin McDowell has received orders to come across the river and reinforce General George McClellan. McDowell refused, so instead, a portion of General Nathaniel Bank's...

GLC03523.08.39

to Father

Writes from a camp near James River, [Virginia]. Details latest military endeavors, starting with an arms inspection by General George McClellan. Soon thereafter, the Rebels began to shell and the soldiers were ordered onto a different part of the...

GLC03523.08.40

to Sister and Father

Addresses his sister in first half of letter about her "new young man." Asks if she will send him a number of things, such as a shirt, some tobacco, and some "Jamaca Ginger" because the water there gives him diarrhea. The second half of the letter is...

GLC03523.08.41

to James M. Maitland

Informs his cousin of the death of his father. Describes his last days with their family. Writes that his father took great interest in "National troubles and hoped he might live to se it Ended and our Union Preserved he spoke of the Great Sacrifices...

GLC03523.10.032

to Elhanan M. Mast

Reports to his brother-in-law that he has heard of the defeat at Manassas Junction, which took place on 21-22 July 1861, professing that the version of the story that he heard was much exaggerated. Informs him that Captain Baldwin's company has...

GLC03523.10.033

to Elhanan M. Mast

Relays to his brother that Hugh Jewett has accepted the Democratic nomination. Remarks that "the opposition is making great Lamentation over the Nominations and are endeavoring to make Capital by saying that the Democrats are opposed to the war, when...

GLC03523.10.034

to Elhanan M. Mast

Writes to his brother-in-law, possibly in regards to the war, "we have been for several days in a state of anxiety in regard to your situation having learned that you were surrounded by that notorious scoundrel Floyd..." Gives updates on various...

GLC03523.10.038

to Elhanan M. Mast

Provides his brother-in-law with details about the war, reporting that "our forces met with a terrible defeat at the Battle of [Port] Republic..." Mentions General George McClellan's move to make the James River the base of his operations. Discusses...

GLC03523.10.042

to William Grier Maitland

Written on "Monday, 25th/62" from a Camp near Richmond Kentucky to his brother. Indicates that a messenger reported that Richmond had been attacked by Rebel calvary, detailing their trip down to assist the troops who were already there. Asks that his...

GLC03523.10.043

to Elhanan M. Mast

Communicates with his brother-in-law from Kingston, Champaign County. Mentions that he thinks he will receive the appointment of Major soon. Describes a visit to the doctor, detailing how the office was full of people trying to escape the draft.

GLC03523.10.044

to Joseph M. Maitland

Discusses the draft with his son, writing that "volunteering has about ceased I don't hear of any volunteers for the Odd Regiments." Short note at the bottom of the letter dated September 1, 1862 which gives updates on the family's health.

GLC03523.10.045

to Bell Wharton

Reports to Bell, possibly his friend or girlfriend, from Camp Chase that he wanted to come down for a visit, but his buggy has been broken. Asks that she direct future letters to, "Camp Chase, Co G. 95 Reg, O.V.I. Care Capt. Hannock."

GLC03523.10.046

to Elhanan M. Mast [incomplete]

Writes to his brother-in-law giving him updates on different members of the community. Reports on the whereabouts of Joseph, his son's, military regiment. Describes a battle that Joseph wrote to him about, which involved General William Nelson...

GLC03523.10.047

to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother-in-law that Joseph, his son, has been sick and is at home getting well. Mentions that "the boys feel a great reluctance in going to Camp Thomas to be drilled to be sent to fight the Indians. They think the U.S. Government has no...

GLC03523.10.048

to [William] Grier [Maitland]

Letter addressed to his friend, "My Dear Grier." Talks about joining the army and now being "emphatically U.S. boys." Inquires about the state of Elhanan Mast's health. Mast might have been an uncle or a cousin. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.10.049

to Bell Maitland

Speculates to his friend, "I suppose as the 95th is one of the fighting Reg. it will go into the field in a few weeks at longest." Reports that there was "quite an exictement in camp tonight; owing to some difficulty in the first Parole Regt. They...

GLC03523.10.051

to [Maria Damuth]

Thanks his family for a coat they have sent him and gives details about camp life. Talks about sharing a bed with other soldiers, food at camp and various forms of entertainment - "we hav fun all the time." Describes his colonel, Charles Gill, as a...

GLC03523.14.01

to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in...

GLC03523.14.02

to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are...

GLC03523.14.03

to Maria Damuth

Tells about being on picket duty beside the Mississippi River and his job as a sergeant, keeping watch over the line. Sergeants and officers of the guard "stand twenty four hours at a time in pleasant weather," conditions which prompt the camp...

GLC03523.14.04

to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from...

GLC03523.14.05

to Maria Damuth

Mentions that he has not received many letters from his family but adds that most letters that come to camp are from soldiers' sweethearts and "some of the boys had rather write to the girls than to thear own folks but it is not so with me." Reports...

GLC03523.14.06

to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the...

GLC03523.14.07

to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black...

GLC03523.14.08

to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for...

GLC03523.14.09

to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10