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Great Central Fair ticket
1864
Ogden, Sarah Perot, 1831-?
Signed on the back by "Mrs. E. H. Ogden."A "Lady's Ticket" to the "Great Central Fair" in Philadelphia.
GLC06559.158
Lincoln writing the Emancipation Proclamation
circa 1880-1890
Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912
Depicts a menacing-looking Lincoln slumping in his chair writing the Emancipation Proclamation with his left foot sitting on top of a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Demon imagery is found throughout. The Statue of Liberty's head is covered by Lincoln...
GLC00493.03
to Aaron Jeffery
1863/06/11
Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899
Musing about the meaning of Vicksburg, Jeffrey maintains that Grant will have to "whip" both Pemberton and Johnston before he can get anywhere. Continues with a long indictment of the Yankees and the observation that "they are now enlisting negroes...
GLC01896.054
1863/07/28
Requesting that the family "...write often, for my anxiety is very great at times, & a letter does relieve it much." Richard speaks of the physical stress he has been undergoing, reflects pessimistically on the value and fate of the of Charleston to...
GLC01896.055
11 August 1863
Reprimanding Aaron for not writing more frequently--"...in reason of your long silence I am sometimes very uneasy." Richard continues to address the resistance of Charleston and the placing of heavy artillery guns mounted in front of Fort Wagner...
GLC01896.056
to Samuel J. Harrison
1863/08/25
Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917
Application for the position of Chief Engineer "on board the steamer to be commanded by Captain Dacey Va Volunteer Navy." Lists qualifications, former service record, and references enclosed testimonials of his qualifications. Docket on verso:...
GLC01896.057
[Recommendation for E.R. Archer]
Anderson, Joseph Reid, 1813-1892
Recommendation and certification of Archer's qualifications as a machinist written by J. R. Anderson, owner of the Tredegar works [on Tredegar Iron Works letterhead]. Pencil notation on verso: "letter of J R Anderson & Co Certifying my...
GLC01896.058
1863/08/31
Sends Aaron $5 to cover the cost for a subscription to the "Centinel" for him, and Robert's inability to advance $100 or more to him due to the high costs of food, lodging and particularly clothing in Savannah. Jeffrey apologizes to Aaron and...
GLC01896.059
to Anne [Jeffery]
1863/09/22
Promises Anne that he will repay his overdue debt to her, and then goes on to muse on the fortunes of the war in the wake of Gen. Braxton Bragg's victory [Battle of Chickamauga]. He points out early Confederate victories at Mannassas and Big Bethel...
GLC01896.060
to Steven R. Mallory
1863/09/23
Harrison, Samuel J., fl. 1855-1863
Letter of introduction and requesting permission for Edward R. Archer to go before a tribunal examination. "The bearer, Mr. E.R. Archer has been duly appointed by the Board of Directors of this company (Virginia Volunteer Navy Company) 1st Assistant...
GLC01896.061
to Edward R. Archer
1863/09/26
Mallory, Stephen R., 1813-1873
Certifies Archer's examination and commissioned appointment as First Assistant Engineer in the Virginia Volunteer Navy.
GLC01896.062
Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880
Letter of transit written for Archer granting him permission to sail from any Confederate port to Europe. Written on offical paper with "Confederate States of America, War Department" letterhead. Seddon was Confederate secretary of war. On the...
GLC01896.063
to Mary Epperly
March 19, 1862
Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904
Reports that some of the men from his unit joined the volunteers. Discusses the health of several members of his regiment. Closes by invoking God's protection for his wife.
GLC02715.001
March 25, 1862
Writes he has not received any arms. Notes that some volunteers have been waiting seven months for their weapons. Says he will not join the volunteers yet. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.
GLC02715.002
3 April 1862
Writes to his wife from Camp Windsor. He complains about not receiving any letters from home and about a sore throat. Discusses prayer and religion in camp.
GLC02715.003
5 April 1862
Writes from camp. Notes he still refuses to join the volunteers. States that he fears the army will put him in a company from another state if he does. Says he misses the mountains of Floyd County, Virgina and hates being in the valley. Informs...
GLC02715.004
9 April 1862
Writes from camp his appreciation of his wife's encouragement not to join the volunteers. He still is not sure if he wants to join them. Closes with discussion of prayer and a religious exhortation.
GLC02715.005
14 April 1862
Writes from camp that he believes his unit may be released if General [Joseph E.] Johnston's army defeats the Yankees at Yorktown, Virginia. Mentions the reported size of the forces now engaged at Yorktown.
GLC02715.006
22 April 1862
Writes from General [J.E.B.?] "Stewards" [Stuart's] encampment, five miles from Yorktown. Notes that his company is attached to General Stuart's Horse Artillery, under Captain Pelham. Says he thinks they may have to stay with this unit until the...
GLC02715.007
27 April 1862
Writes that they are five miles from Yorktown, Virginia and seven miles from Williamsburg, Virginia. Says his unit does not see close action like an infantry unit does. States he is unhappy with his regiment's assignment. Notes he would now give...
GLC02715.008
1 May 1862
Notes his unit has not received any tents and the men are using blankets that they brought from home. Says he hopes it is not too late to volunteer and join "Trigs Regiment."
GLC02715.009
12 May 1862
Describes the Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia.
GLC02715.010
16-17 May 1862
Discusses the damage the armies have done to the local farms, crops and livestock. Continues writing on 17 May 1862 that he ran out of money and borrowed some from a man who is going home. Tells Mary to feed the man as repayment.
GLC02715.011
22 May 1862
Says the Union has control of the James River all the way up to Richmond, Viriginia. Believes that the Yankees will take Richmond soon. Reminds his wife to pay back the man whom he borrowed money from and asks her to sell his watch.
GLC02715.012
31 May 1862
Writes that his unit is camped nine miles from Richmond, Virginia. Says he hopes to get a furlough and visit his wife at the end of June. However, Captain Pelham has been very hard on the regiment since one man deserted.
GLC02715.013
circa June 1862
Says he cannot get a furlough. States he wants Aunt Peggy to move in and nurse his wife who is pregnant (see GLC02715.031). Date taken from the content of the letter.
GLC02715.014
3 June 1862
Writes that his unit missed a recent battle (likely the Battle of Fair Oaks) because the muddy roads made it impossible to move the artillery. Believes the casualties are in the thousands. Says the wounded are being moved to Richmond, Virginia.
GLC02715.015
to: Mary Epperly
13 June 1862
Describes himself as a cannoneer who helps to load the guns. Notes that three of their guns have been ordered away, probably to join General [Stonewall] Jackson. Mentions that men of a nearby infantry unit offered members of his regiment $50 to...
GLC02715.016
22 June 1862
Mentions his regiment has been paid. Notes he paid back the money he borrowed from a gentleman since the man never went home to collect the money from Mary. Says he will keep $15 for himself.
GLC02715.017
29 June 1862
Mentions the battles on 26 June (Battle of Mechanicsville) and 27 June (Battle of Gaine's Mills). Says he managed to miss the battles but mentions the fate of friends and relatives who did fight. The top quarter of the third page is missing causing...
GLC02715.018
5 July 1862
Says his legs are swollen. Reports that the Confederates drove the Yankees back to the Chicahominy River. Believes they fought five or six battles in the last eight to ten days. Says his unit still has not fought in a "regular battle." He...
GLC02715.019
10 July 1862
Reports that the Yankees are thirty miles from Richmond, Virginia and believes that they are reinforcing for another attack.
GLC02715.020
20 July 1862
Discusses the price of various food items.
GLC02715.021
23 July 1862
Requests Mary sends him butter and soap.
GLC02715.022
27 July 1862
Complains about the cursing, drinking and card playing in camp. Says he will apply for a furlough. Adds that he will understand if Mary is unable to send him the butter and soap. Discusses his sister Margaret being ill.
GLC02715.023
2 August 1862
Discusses his sister Margaret's death. Comments, "Wee would all be a grate deell better off if if [sic] wee could as she did and bid farewell to this proud and wicked world and mount on eagles wings and fly to the mansions above whair there hant...
GLC02715.024
9 August 1862
Describes a march toward Fredricksburg, Virginia where his unit encountered and engaged a large number of Yankees (Massaponax, 5 August 1862). Wrties of his appreciation of his wife's offer to raise money to hire a substitute, but says that General...
GLC02715.025
20 August 1862
Writes from North Ames Creek that he wants to hire a substitute. Says he believes the army must accept a substitute, if one can be found. Mentions the Yankees are heading toward Manassas, Virginia.
GLC02715.026
five letters to his family
7 September 1862
There are five letters on one folded sheet. Includes two letters from Epperly to Mary Epperly, one letter from Epperly to Harvey D. Phleagar, one letter from Epperly to his "Mother" Catharine Phleagar, and a letter to his "Brothers." Mentions a...
GLC02715.027
26 September 1862
States the army returned to Virginia (likely referring to the men who fought in the Battle of Antietam, which his unit did not.) Asks Mary to write to him the moment anyone becomes ill so he has an excuse to come home.
GLC02715.028
5 October 1862
States that the army is centered around Winchester, Virginia. Advises his wife to send her letters to "Capt. Henery Stuarts Hors Artillery."
GLC02715.029
circa 1862
Writes that he misses her and promises to write to other family members.
GLC02715.030
6 October 1862
Suggests she name the baby (likely his son) Christian Dolphus.
GLC02715.031
10 October 1862
Says he does not grieve for his lost brothers and sisters, but trusts in God that they will meet in heaven someday. States the army is near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions his hopes of receiving a furlough.
GLC02715.032
to Catharine Phleagar
19 October 1862
Says the army has been quiet, but he believes a big battle is coming. He mentions food available and a lack of soap. Asks Mary, his wife, to make him a shirt, drawers, pants, and a knit cap. Notes he received two months pay and that he intends to...
GLC02715.033
States he is nearly barefoot and hopes to get his boots soon. Mentions that General [W.E.B.] Stuart rode around [General George] McClellan's army in Maryland. Page four is a religious poem.
GLC02715.034
30 October 1862
Writes from camp complaining that the Yankees "steal" people's stock and grain to supply their army. Tells Mary that if she has any grain she should use it to fatten up the pigs and sell them. Also discuses the price of corn, bacon, and butter.
GLC02715.035
12 November 1862
Describes engagements between Confederate artillery and cavalry and Union forces. States his unit almost lost two guns when the Yankee cavalry charged past them. He places the battle at Marrun Station, Fauquier County, Virginia.
GLC02715.036
14 November 1862
Says he may not be able to get a furlough. Mentions the army is moving toward Rapidan Station, but he expects a fight near Culpeper.
GLC02715.037
25 November 1862
Writes from camp in Spotsylvania County, Virginia that the Yankees are camped across the river. Notes that all the civilians have left Fredericksburg in fear of Federal bombardment.
GLC02715.038
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