Collection Search

To his wife

"This is an awful lonesome and lazy life to live..." Sultry days and chilly nights; drilling. On receiving a letter from his abolitionist brother-in-law: "...I received a letter from Edwin..... He accuses me of lacking sympathy with the plan and...

GLC04558.094

To his wife

A lazy day in which he day-dreams of being home; mentions combating a forest fire; relates farm news from Edwin who was injured and has hired "a couple of negroes;" instructions on sheep; responding to home news.

GLC04558.095

To his wife

Continued on June 6. Camping in the shade and making "artificial shade" with pine and cedar branches; according to letter from relative Matilda, "Nelson was a prisoner in the hands of the rebels;" other news. "As for Marys letter I dont think...

GLC04558.096

To his wife

Writes that they left their camp and all baggage behind; expects to head towards Richmond; mentions seeing Charlie Tillotson. With postscript dated Tuesday morning noting that no marching orders were received.

GLC04558.101

To his wife

Describes march from White House in great detail: foraging, washing clothes, giving away blanket to contraband, and more marching.

GLC04558.105

To his wife

Describes the pettiness of an officer who would not allow the troops to land until their officer had reported to him; describes the island.

GLC04558.109

To his wife

Written on patriotic stationery. Continued August 7. Describes lack of tents, current duties and situation around Charleston (Sumter, Wagner). Fatigued from unloading vessels.

GLC04558.110

To his wife

Fatigue from hard duties and false alarms, which he describes. Belief that they are outnumbered. With pencil note of 9/19 written on margin of each page about picket duty in the cold without shelter.

GLC04558.115

To his wife

Cold. Cannot make mud chimneys because sand will not stick; other soldiers enlisting as cavalry, including Capt. Lewis (who did not get along with GWT). This letter is fully addressed "Mrs. A. Elizabeth Tillotson"

GLC04558.120

To his wife

Describes picket duty on the north side of the island and how his thoughts roam. Expectations of assault on Fort Sumter. Promises to send Edwin's letter (mentioned in #117 and accompanies this item). He writes "Not that I have any objections to...

GLC04558.122.01

To his wife

Written in pencil. Camped less than a mile from the front. Observes that shells are more dangerous in the rear than at the front. Discusses events of past few days; wishes his foot had been wounded so he could get a furlough.

GLC04558.143

To his wife

Cross written. Receives letters from home. Wonderful description of night time artillery barrages, comparing them to fireworks. Also writes of tearing down rebel fortifications, rain in the trenches, and news of comrades.Written in a camp near...

GLC04558.148

To his wife

Discusses farm business, friends, camp news, and politics. "I may vote for "Old Abe" if on keeps on behaveing [sic] himself, and calls for 300000, or 500000, more occasionally between this and election.

GLC04558.153

To his wife

Warns his wife of a reoccurring dream in which he is taken prisoner and recounts occasions when his dreams have come true. Page 4 is addressed to his daughter "Dollie". Encourages her to improve herself. Tells her of the dangers of camp life...

GLC04558.154.01

To his wife

Thanks his wife for stamps and 50 cents. Assumed the duties of orderly after the previous orderly was mustered out. Describes preferential treatment he received due to his status as an orderly (orderlies were allowed to stay in camp when their...

GLC04558.155

To his wife

A flash flood prevented GWT from joining his regiment at the front and swept away many people's belongings. 40 bodies were found after the flood. One sutler offered a $3000 reward for the return of his cash box. After the regiment returned, their...

GLC04558.156

To his wife

Describes life in the trenches, including their proximity to the rebel line: "Every day our fellow[s] and the rebs are talking, and blackguarding, across, and yesterday one of Co. C's men went out half way and exchanged papers with them." Expects...

GLC04558.157

To his wife

Relieved from the trenches by the 10th Corps. New camp is in wooded area; picket duty becomes fun; corporal arrested for exchanging papers with rebel pickets. Georgiana's illness continue.

GLC04558.158

To his wife

Continued Sept. 10th. Cross written. Describes arrival at the Fort and Garrison duty. Fort is manned by "the 89th New York [GWT's regiment], one company of darkey cavalry, one company of heavy artillery, and a signal station." Relieved to hear...

GLC04558.160

To his wife

Describes transfer from the fort to Chapins Farm and the action there including how he saved an officer. Long list of comrades killed, wounded and missing. Lost $130.

GLC04558.164

To his wife

Begins making out discharge papers for Company H. GWT given command after Lieutenant is taken to hospital. Weather turns cold; camp news.

GLC04558.166

To George Tillotson

From a former regiment mate, informing Tillotson of camp news. Asks to excuse his bad writing and spelling as it is half Dutch.

GLC04558.177

To George Tillotson

Camp news. Draines hopes to get his discharge soon.

GLC04558.178

[Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Describes activity at Fort Donelson (the Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from 11 February to 16 February 1862), Yorktown (Siege of Yorktown took place from 5 April to 4 May 1862, as part of the Peninsula...

GLC04564.03

[Diary of Samuel G. Gottshall]

Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Gottshall returns to the Army after being wounded in the arm by a cannonball. Throughout the early months Gottshall sees little action and he discusses his recovery and soldiering in the winter. In [13-15...

GLC04564.04