Summer 2025 PD for K–12 teachers: Registration is now open!
to Brother Henry
1 August 1862
Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863
There has been a lot of fighting near Richmond. It has been a tedious march from the swamp combined with fighting every day. There have been heavy losses.
GLC02172.51
18 December 1863
Porter, Charles F., fl. 1861-1865
They are now in Knoxville. The regiment has suffered losses. Major Byington is dead. Captain Farren is wounded.
GLC02172.77
to Father
28 August 1864
Porter, Hank, fl. 1860
He was sorry to hear of the death of Uncle James. They have not heard from Sam or Matt. Theyw ere offered 1 dollar per pound for their wool.
GLC02172.80
to Father, Mother, Brother, Sister
11 November 1863
Scarborough, William H., fl. 1862-1865
The Rebels acknowledged a loss of 200 men while their side did not lose more than 20, but many were captured and wounded. He gives suggestions for boots and an overcoat he wants made for him.
GLC02173.20
to the Comrades of Encampment
March 14, 1904
Murphy, M.M., fl. 1904
Letter to veterans informing them of the death of William H. Scarborough on January 28, 1904.
GLC02173.50
to Jemima Shifflet
February 8, 1863
Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863
Shifflet received Fanny's ring and will keep it until he goes home, "if I live to git home." He will go home the next time he is paid "if I can git off enny way a tall." His division is "alooking for another big fight in a few days" and has "bin a...
GLC02174.07
to Sarah Wood
12 July 1863
Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865
Written from Stanford, Kentucky to his wife. Is concerned that the $10 he sent won't get to her because 'it is such a secesh place." Observes "all armies is on the move it appears to be the grand rally now that is to decide the contest." Continues...
GLC02176.08
16 April 1864
Written from Nashville, Tennessee to his wife. Was sent to Nashville to retrieve a horse, but there are many cavalrymen waiting for horses. Compares the cold weather to Ohio winters. Describes the terrain of East Tennessee, the abundance of fruits...
GLC02176.14
8 September 1861
There has been fighting among the pickets.Three of their men were wounded and one died yesterday. There are a lot of peach and apple trees where he is.Troops are continually coming in. 70,000 crossed into Virginia Thursday night. Written in Camp...
GLC02172.16
to Father and Mother
03 April 1863
Daniel Wright paid them a visit recently. William sent lots of mail with him. One soldier in the company died recently, leaving behind a wife and children.
GLC02173.04
1 August 1863
He mentions a Capt. Leonard, whom he thinks every one will like because he is a very sociable gentleman. In Mississippi, the regiment has won most battles
GLC02173.12
to Parents
January 16, 1864
He has gained quite a bit of weight since he first went into the army. So far the Texas Rebel cavalry have lost 100 men. The report is that they are now evacuating Galveston.
GLC02173.22
13 June 1864
He witnessed the burial of a fellow soldier. Many are sick in the regiment, but he is doing doing extremely well. Extremely faded.
GLC02173.31
December 13, 1861
Written on patriotic stationery. Shifflet hopes that Johney will be well soon. He got paid today, twenty-three dollars, and "will send you all I can spar." He encourages his wife to persevere until he returns, "if I ever doo." They "expect a...
GLC02174.01
October 6, 1862
Written in pencil on patriotic stationery. Shifflet asks his wife to write as soon as she receives the money he has sent as he worries it is lost. He was nearby when George Ennis was shot and "my cap box was shot off of my belt and fore bullets...
GLC02174.05
18 April 1864
Written from Camp Smith to his wife. Posits that he is missing some letters, expects "back mail" to arrive soon. Expresses concern again that his wife should receive the money he sent. Mentions an eye operation his wife is recovering from. Complains...
GLC02176.15
18 July 1861
He talks of how they made the journey from Detroit to Washington and were then presented to the President and General Scott. Some men were detailed to go on picket duty. At some point shots were exhanged and 5 or 6 Rebels were killed.
GLC02172.06
to Friend Henry
February 7, 1862
Spencer, Edgar, fl. 1860
Last week on picket duty, they shot twelve rebels and took a couple prisoners.
GLC02172.39
It is reported that they are going to New Orleans next. One of his fellow soldiers accidentally drowned himself the other day when he went down to the river to swim.
GLC02173.13
to ones at home
1 April 1865
Mobile is visible from where they are now. There have been three wounded men but no losses. he got their letters.
GLC02173.41
Certificate of authentificity
March 15, 1904
Document stating that the attached paper stating the death of William H. Scarborough is a true copy.
GLC02173.49
January 11,1864
Written from near Knoxville, Tennessee to his wife. Mentions his good appetite and ragged clothes, but quartermaster is requisitioning more, rumors that Generals Ulysses S. Grant and John Foster will soon defeat James Longstreet's men. Deliberates...
GLC02176.12
to Amos J. Harding
19 October 1864
Holloway, G.H., fl. 1864
Writes that they have "met the enemy and are out on parole, which occurred at Glasgow on the 15th after eight hours of constant and determined fighting." The Union had 600 untried soldiers against 8000 veteran Rebels. They had marched for three...
GLC02178.07
to father
6 April 1865
Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868
reports of the death of men in his company, the capture of Confederate forces, Morse's brief hospitalization with a fever, anticipation of going to St. Petersburg.
GLC02180.25
to George F. Morse
20 June 1865
Francis, Edward E., fl. 1864-1866
report of mustering out of troops from the 91st Regiment in Albany, and expressions of sorrow over the death of Frank Doane.
GLC02180.31
[Document granting Wyman Stone a furlough]
4 August 1861
Stone, E. Wyman, fl. 1861-1864
Furlough document includes illustrated envelope of a woman sewing beneath the flag and newspaper clipping relating to the interment of Mrs. Winthrop E. Stone, wife of a former Purdue president.
GLC02182.01
to Berdille
4 September 1861
Stone, E. Wyman, fl. 1861-1865
He refers to a Charley that died and he hopes the disease does not spread to his compsny.. He is sorry a Mr. Young could not find work in Templeton. He describes how they stand guard and what they might encounter. Was written near Annapolis Junction...
GLC02182.16
1 April 1862
He lays in bed all day and night and this aggravates him. He says the Rebels do not take suck good care of their wounded and left one man with his leg cut off alone to die.
GLC02182.30
Two Brothers Fallen
1861-1877
Hawkeye, fl. 1862
A tribute to Captain Asbel Fairchild Duncan and Fidelio Hughes Duncan, both of whom died in Winchester after getting wounded in battle.
GLC02171.09
20 July 1863
He is doing extremely well. His finger is almost healed and he will be alble to join his command. He heard that John Farr died though he does not know the cause. He would like very much to go home but the chance is slim.
GLC02173.11
4 June 1864
He talks of how the newspaper falsely reported the details of a battle. Gen. Moulton was killed during the battle. This morning the news is good: Gen. Grant is confident of capturing Richmond. He says the Rebels have brought everything on themselves.
GLC02173.29
19 April 1865
report of battle and retreat, loss of knapsack and clothes, assassination of President Lincoln, and an accounting of the wounded and the dead.
GLC02180.26
12 June 1865
Perkins, R.E., fl. 1864-1865
Jamieson's discharge, and death and funeral of Brotherhood member Frank R. Doane.
GLC02180.28
to dear wife
19 August 1861
Serens became violently ill while on guard. They thought it was cholera but in the morning he was feeling just fine. In other news, The Captain was questioned about the non-comissioned officers. Letter includes a short poem that begins: "Juliana...
GLC02182.12
to John Lamb
12 November 1781
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Uncertain yet whether he will join the artillery park because General George Washington had not yet arrived. Writes, "He has lately met with a severe Shock to his affections, in the loss of the amiable Mr. Custis, Mrs. Washington's only child."...
GLC02437.01289
to George Washington
21 April 1782
Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they...
GLC02437.01395
to Henry Knox
17 December 1781
Sears, Isaac, 1730-1786
Declares "we are very happy in this part of the Country at the glorious campaign our army has had this last summer," and says the people in his region are hoping for a peace. Comments that he is sorry to hear of General George Washington's loss of...
GLC02437.01306
7 June 1782
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Later copy of letter from Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox in GLC02437.01442, for which a transcript is available. Written by Hamilton after he left the Army to Major General Knox. Letter details Hamilton's opinions against retaliation for the...
GLC02437.01444
21 March 1782
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Letter expresses the touchiness Revolutionary officers had about rank. Says no word on Knox's promotion is to be had. Hopes "The period, however, cannot be remote when...
GLC02437.01370
to Clement Biddle
11 November 1781
Thanks him and Mrs. Biddle for their kindness to Mrs. Knox and their young daughter while in Philadelphia. Comments that Biddle's knowledge of his orders during the siege will excuse his inability to write frequently. Stresses his interest in...
GLC02437.01287
Written by Hamilton after he left the Army to Major General Knox. Letter details Hamilton's opinions against retaliation for the execution of American Captain Joshua Huddy at the hand of New York Loyalists (this is reference to the well-known Huddy...
GLC02437.01442
Return of Stores expended on the 15th & 16th Oct, by Lt. Col. Stevens.
16 October 1781
Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823
Lists quantities of stores used at various locations and under the command of various officers during the siege of Yorktown. Also enumerates soldiers who were wounded, killed, and taken prisoner. Explains that a British attack at day break resulted...
GLC02437.01229
A Report of ordnance Ammunition Expended during my Command on the different Batteries in the lines, between the 16 & 17 Oct. inst.
17 October 1781
Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803
Lists quantities of stores used in the first and second batteries under Major Bauman during the siege of Yorktown. Reports the death of Peter Peiner. Bauman commanded an artillery corps that was a part of Colonel John Lamb's Second Regiment of...
GLC02437.01232
18 October 1781
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Has not heard from his brother in almost six weeks. News of the operation against Yorktown from General George Washington included the destruction of three of Lord Cornwallis redoubts and a formal demand for surrender, along with Cornwallis'...
GLC02437.01239
to Benjamin Lincoln
Later copy. Written by Brigadier General Knox to General Lincoln. Says he was concerned for him, but hopes he is safe at Head of Elk, Maryland. Tells him to "pray take care of the trophies and carry them triumphantly into rome." Reports from Mount...
GLC02437.01288
5 March 1782
Howe, Mary, fl. 1782
Written by a widow of a dead soldier [Captain Lieutenant Baxter Howe] to Brigadier General Knox. Thanks Knox for his kind words and concern after the loss of her husband. Knox seems to have taken care of Mr. Howe's personal effects for Mary. Says she...
GLC02437.01362
July 1781
Moodie, Andrew, ?-1787
Written at Fort Herkimer. Expresses concern that the departure of Colonel [Philip van] Cortlandt's regiment left the Fort's artillery and stores in a vulnerable state: "...we are no protection to the Inhabitants & in Case the Enemy should make an...
GLC02437.01107
to Estelle Spero
30 December 1942
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond discusses El Paso's climate, and promises that his next letter will include a gory description on how best to kill
GLC09120.162
6 June 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he hopes his dying word to be "bench".
GLC09120.238
25 June 1943
Diamond writes out his "articles of faith". These include a promise to remember his and Estelle's "mission for a prolonged and happy life together", a promise to return to Estelle, and, if necessary, a promise to leave this life as he tried to live...
GLC09120.248
Showing results 201 - 250