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to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to is wife. His arm is still very sore from last week but he is glad to hear that she and their baby are doing so well. It appears very doubtful that he will come home this winter. The army is unsure of...

GLC03523.13.071

to Amanda Wilkinson

He writes to his wife that he is sorry he has not sent more money home. States that the country is "hard up for money" and therefore cannot send as much as he would like or as much as she deserves. Comments that he asks no one to watch his wife. He...

GLC03523.13.075

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife about the army establishing a new camp at Newport News, Virginia. States that he has set up his tent and the army has erected a small house along the bank of the James River. He thinks that this place is the best encampment they...

GLC03523.13.081

to the Provost-Marshall of Baltimore City

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Newport News, Virginia to the Provost Marshall in Baltimore, Maryland. Formal request for his wife Amanda to visit him at the regiment's camp near Newport News, Virginia.

GLC03523.13.084

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is discouraged to hear of all the troubles at home. He comments that his grandfather has worked hard and that it is up to the younger generation to make sure he has all of his wants supplied. States that he is saddened by...

GLC03523.13.085

to Amanda Wilkinson

He writes to his wife that he has just returned from picket to read her letter. Is happy that both her and their baby are feeling better. Writes that he is sad his grandfather's health is failing so fast. Expresses his sympathies for his grandfather...

GLC03523.13.086

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has submitted a recommendation for her visit and she is to pick it up in Baltimore, Maryland. Gives her specific instructions where to go in Detroit, Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland. Instructs her to bring her trunk with...

GLC03523.13.087

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 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

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant...

GLC03523.14.12

to Maria Damuth

Reports that more of their friends from home have died. Complains that men are enlisted with "no respect to persons they will kill the strong as well as the weak." Describes some officers in the camp.

GLC03523.14.17

to Maria Damuth

Describes springtime in Arkansas. The Wisconsin soldiers are nervous about the summer weather. Writes that Helena has been attacked "but it is all news to us we dident know any thing about it." Prisoners have been brought into the camp. Tells his...

GLC03523.14.18

to [John Damuth]

Writes that the soldiers have camped in an old plantation. Describes Louisiana as "the most beautiful place I ever saw such fruit trees all kinds." Plans to send a rose "that grew away down South in Dixie." Of the coming fighting, Damuth writes...

GLC03523.14.22

to Maria Damuth

Has just learned that it is Sunday, and writes that "I never have seen a day since I have been South that realy seemed like our old fashion Sundays that we used to have up north." Has been suffering from dysentery. Describes what it is like to be a...

GLC03523.14.27

to John Damuth

Describes the daily routine of the soldiers, who "sharp shoot day times and stand picket and dig rifle pits nights." Some men are about to attempt to infiltrate a nearby Rebel fort. The life of the soldiers laying siege to Vicksburg is filled with...

GLC03523.14.29

to Maria Damuth

Complains of boils all over his legs. Firing on Rebel lines continues and "yesterday our men blew up another of thear Forts." Rails against Democrats as traitors and tells his sister not to spend any money at stores owned by Wisconsin Democrats....

GLC03523.14.30

to Maria Damuth

The soldiers have been setting up camp in Berwick, tearing down old buildings and establishing their own quarters. It rains all the time and the men are woken in the night with their tents flooded, but they make the best of it. Damuth writes that...

GLC03523.14.36

to Maria Damuth

The men have moved to a new camp. They pass through Franklin, Louisiana, and marched a total of fifty-five miles to their new campground. The men are eating well and Damuth believes they will "all come out fat." They are marching for the Gulf of...

GLC03523.14.37

to Damuth family

In two days, the soldier have marched twenty-five miles, "the greatest marching we have ever done." Towards the end of the day's march, Damuth and another soldier fall back from exhaustion and arrive at camp after the rest of the regiment. He...

GLC03523.14.38

to Maria Damuth

Writes from the same campground where he wrote his last letter. Damuth thinks they will be there for some time. They are very isolated, "for all I know peace may be declaired now we are so far from any whear." The men have noticed a "great...

GLC03523.14.39

to John and Joan Damuth

Describes a battle in which the Union men chased the Rebel cavalry to Opelousas. After the battle, the Union forces camped in Barron's Landing, Louisiana, for eight days. The men believe that any expedition to Texas has been forgotten. They...

GLC03523.14.41