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Gibson collection of Civil War soldiers archives [decimalized] ca. 2340 wartime
1861-1865 ca.
GLC03523
[Collection of Ira S. Dodd, F company, 26th regiment, New Jersey, infantry]
1862-1946
Dodd, Ira S., fl. 1862
The collection includes a songbook, four lists of killed and wounded, and a roll call.
GLC03523.01
[Collection of Conrad, Abraham and John Bope] [decimalized]
1861-1865
Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917
Collection consists of 10 Conrad Bope letters (1861-63), 4 John Bope letters (1862) and 9 Abraham Bope letters (1862-65). Conrad and John Bope served in the 49th Ohio Volunteers, while Abraham served in the 61st Ohio Volunteers. Letters mention the...
GLC03523.03
to Eliza Jane Bope
19 October 1861
Bope writes to his sister reporting that brother John is well. Complains about the continuous rain and states that one of their men was shot. Writes about the rebels destroying a bridge over Green River. Comments that they are waiting for artillery:...
GLC03523.03.01
to John Bope Sr.
20 December 1861
Bope, John, 1838-?
Bope writes to his father from Camp Wood. Reports on a battle with the Rebels and states that 19 men were killed and more wounded in his regiment. Comments that the Rebels have a camp four miles from him and he is sending his father ninety dollars...
GLC03523.03.02
to Lydia Bope
1 January 1862
Bope writes to his mother from Camp Wood. Expresses thanks for the candy she sent for Christmas. Letterhead has a drawing of a cannon and American flag with the phrase "OUR COMPROMISE" written underneath. Envelope has a humorous image and caption...
GLC03523.03.03
Conrad Bope writes to his sister. Comments it is the New Year and they have nothing to do. Brother John is well and in his tent as he writes. Reports he was on picket duty and once the bridge is rebuilt over the Green River, they will march to...
GLC03523.03.04
to unknown
25 April 1862
Bope writes to a friend from the Battlefield of Camp Shiloh. Reports he survived the bloody Battle of Shiloh (6-7 April 1862) unharmed. Discusses the battle strategy in depth and the horror he felt: "...we had to step over the daed [sic] and...
GLC03523.03.05
Bope writes to his father from the Battlefield of Shiloh, near Pittsburg Landing. Reports that "...some 20,000 men buried who fell in this great battle...", and they expect another attack. Mentions Easter, and notes that the cost of eggs is 30 cents...
GLC03523.03.06
26 May 1862
Bope writes to his sister from Camp Shiloh. States they have nothing to do, but expects to meet the Rebels in a few days. Mentions that 30 Rebels surrender every day. Complains that the apples she sent him did not arrive, but all her letters do...
GLC03523.03.07
19 August 1862
Bope writes to his sister from a camp in Battle Creek. Inquires about drafting in Ohio and complains of being sick. States he does not want to be discharged due to his lame arm unless he becomes totally disabled. Reports the troops are happy with the...
GLC03523.03.08
Bope writes to his father from a camp in Battle Creek. Reports they are waiting for more men to arrive and help guard the railroad. Informs him that a Lieutenant from the Rebel army deserted and stated the Confederate force in Chattanooga is 80,000...
GLC03523.03.09
25 October 1862
Bope writes to his father from a camp outside of Green River. Says they will go to Nashville next. Mentions that many soldiers from the Ohio 49th Infantry have deserted. Comments that there has been no fighting for him since Shiloh. Doesn't know...
GLC03523.03.10
17 November 1862
Bope writes to his father mentioning that Union General William Rosencrans has taken over his division. Informs him of their march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the skirmishes along the way. Mentions that a member of Company "D" accidentally shot...
GLC03523.03.11
25 August 1863
Bope writes to his sister from camp at Bellefonte and complains of the march over the Cumberland mountains. He "fell out" of the march for the first time due to excessive heat. Comments on the "Copperheads" in Ohio. Expresses anger at a friend who...
GLC03523.03.12
2 October 1863
Bope writes to his father from a camp outside Chattanooga after a fierce battle with Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops for control of Chattanooga. Praises the bravery of the Union soldiers despite being outnumbered. Describes the...
GLC03523.03.13
1 November 1863
Bope writes to his sister Eliza from camp in Chattanooga. Mentions a shortage of blankets. Encloses money for the family. Gives her an extensive list of food to send. States he has not seen younger brother Abe who is in "K" Co., Ohio 61st Infantry...
GLC03523.03.14
13 June 1863
Bope, Abraham, 1837-?
Bope writes to his father from camp in Moorefield, Virginia, informing him he is no longer at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio, guarding prisoners. Discusses the march to Moorefield. Mentions it has been raining for seven days. Letter is faded. Letter...
GLC03523.03.15
21 May 1863
Bope writes to his sister from a camp near Stafford. Discusses picket duty. Mentions the surrender of Jackson, Mississippi, and comments the war will soon be over. Refers to a coward in his regiment who was willingly taken prisoner by the...
GLC03523.03.16
27 July 1863
Bope writes to his sister from Warrington Junction. Complains of fatigue after marching for two months. Refers to Confederate General Robert E. Lee's communications being cut off from Richmond, Virginia. Comments "...that the report about Charlestwon...
GLC03523.03.17
unknown
circa August 1863
Bope writes possibly to his sister Eliza, probably from a camp in Virginia. Comments on the "...plundering and destruction..." of Ohio by Confederate General John Morgan who was captured on 26 July 1863 and imprisoned at Camp Chase, Ohio. Expresses...
GLC03523.03.18
to John Sr. and Lydia Bope
22 September 1863
Bope writes to his parents from Catlett's Station. Expects a big fight in or near Gordonsville, Virginia. Says Union General George Meade will be there soon. Comments that Confederate General Robert E. Lee has 80,000 men. Expresses confidence they...
GLC03523.03.19
to his brother
February 27, 1864
Bope writes to an unidentified brother from Bridgeport. Reports they are waiting for Confederate General John Morgan (possibly John Tyler Morgan) to arrive with four forces of artillery. Comments that the weather is warm and dry. Reports that they...
GLC03523.03.20
30 April 1864
Bope writes to his parents from a camp in Louisville. Discusses the trip from Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio. States he does not know how long they will stay before moving on to Alabama. Mentions the change in weather and how green the woods...
GLC03523.03.21
29 August 1864
Bope writes to his mother from camp in Chattanooga. Letter is faded and almost illegible. Mentions Union General William T. Sherman's position outside Atlanta. Refers to Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and John Hood.
GLC03523.03.22
March 31, 1865
Bope writes to his parents from Goldsboro. Reports he has "... finished the gratest and the best campaign since the war." Informs they have marched through the entire state of South Carolina, burning houses. Discusses in detail the towns he passed...
GLC03523.03.23
to John S. Goold [incomplete]
21 October 1862
Goold, James, 1842-?
Writes to his father from camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Thanks his mother and father for writing and for sending papers. Gives an update on his brother Theodore's health, which is improving, although his is still weak and in the hospital tent...
GLC03523.05.01
to William D. Goold
11 November 1862
Describes sleeping conditions. Mentions that he has given his name for a pair of mittens, as winter is coming and the weather is getting very cold. Tells him that he has not heard from brother Theodore since they left Sharpsburg, Maryland. Describes...
GLC03523.05.02
to Abby Goold
28 November 1862
Writes to his mother about all the letters he has recently received, including one from her, Aunt Jane, and Nellie. Describes his duties on provost guard and the differences between being on guard and in the regiments. Tells her of difficulties...
GLC03523.05.03
to John S. Goold
15 December 1862
Writes to his father describing the beginning of the battle at Fredericksburg, 11-15 December 1862: "The first gun was fired about 5 o'clock A.M., and the firing was kept up with but little intermission until after dark. At times the firing was so...
GLC03523.05.04
18 December 1862
Writes to his father "by candlelight" because he was so busy during the day and states "I don't like to spare time to write." Informs that he has just come off guard and that they are camped at same place they were before the Battle of Fredericksburg...
GLC03523.05.05
January 10, 1863
Writes to his father about guard duty and thinks that the worst part is how it disrupts sleep. Wishes he had more newspapers to read, although he is "very much obliged to you for sending me a box, whether it ever reaches me or not. I am much obliged...
GLC03523.05.06
January 13, 1863
Goold, Theodore, 1844-?
Tells his father that he "is well at the present with the exception of a slight cold" and that he is standing guard in place of someone who is sick. He may get the job of carrying the mail, which he states "would be good exercise for me and make me...
GLC03523.05.07
to John S. and Abby Goold
January 16, 1863
Tells his parents that he received most of his back mail when he went back to the regiment yesterday: "I received by the same mail an envelope from home with pepper in it, though the envelope had been torn and most of the pepper had been spilled."...
GLC03523.05.08
to Johnnie
Tells his brother that he received his letter and apologizes that he has to write such a short letter in return, but he is expecting to march tomorrow. Mentions that he received a letter from Theodore, another brother, and that he is doing well...
GLC03523.05.09
February 2, 1863
Writes to his brother (possibly Johnny, based on content) about his tent and the people he shares it with: "They are both good natured, and willing to do their share towards making the tent comfortable, but neither of them are such men as I should...
GLC03523.05.10
Tells his father that they have not been paid yet, but will send the remainder of his money to Uncle Francis. Letter discusses the mild winter they are having and what will happen at the farm in the spring. States that the letter is short because he...
GLC03523.05.11
February 25, 1863
Writes to his parents about the different letters that he has received. Tells them, "I have destroyed all my old letters - burned them up. I had so many that they were in the way. I shall burn all that receive hereafter, as soon as I answer them." He...
GLC03523.05.12
8 March 1863
Tells his mother about the temperance book Aunt Jane sent to Cousin James, which was passed along to him. The boys in the guard make fun of him for reading the book, but he doesn't mind as he has gotten used to the teasing. Tells her that he wishes...
GLC03523.05.13
21 April 1863
Reports that brother Theodore has gone back to his regiment. Writes that he is glad Theodore has returned, as he speculates there were many temptations in his life in Philadelphia. Tells her that the weather is nice and "the few peach trees that...
GLC03523.05.14
Tells father that he has enclosed $50, and apologizes for not writing a longer letter. Notes that he and brother Theodore are both in good spirits. Written in graphite.
GLC03523.05.15
11 June 1863
Apologizes for not writing sooner. Details the Guard's march. Notes that his brother Theodore said he is going to be transferred into the New York Battalion when the 25th goes home, and discusses the potential for Theodore's promotion if this does...
GLC03523.05.16
21 July 1863
Mentions to his parents that he has been transferred and has a new captain, named Gibbs. Captain Gibbs is a son of Gibbs, the pattern maker in Albany. Reports that he lost his knapsack and that both he and his brother Theodore need clothing badly,...
GLC03523.05.17
27 September 1863
Writes to his father that he and his brother James are in good health and spirits. Reports that they will both be shipped to the Penisula in less than a week. Describes the photograph that he had taken in case he is hurt in battle. "I think we will...
GLC03523.05.18
to Johny
12 November 1863
Writes to his brother that part of his division has been engaged in a skirmish at Rappahannock station, and lost four men. Notes that "the second brigade of our division has the credit of helping take the forts near the river..." Informs his brother...
GLC03523.05.19
February 29, 1864
Answers his mother's question about how many men guard a train at one time by stating "it depends on the number of trains, sometimes we only guard one train a day, and from that to six, generally three or four each train takes thirty men; the 11th...
GLC03523.05.21
Collection of Lewis D. Fairchild [decimalized]
1861
Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?
Collection contains 14 wardate letters and 13 envelopes of Lewis D. Fairchild. Fairchild enlisted on 4 January 1864 at Exeter, New York as a private. He was mustered into "L" Co. New York 2nd Heavy Artillery.
GLC03523.06
to Sephronia Fairchild
January 26, 1864
Fairchild writes to his wife from his barracks in Norwich, New York. Year not indicated, but inferred from research and context. Appears to be written in the beginning of his military service as it is quite general in nature. He writes about the...
GLC03523.06.01
February 9, 1864
Fairchild writes to his wife from Elmira, New York on 9 February 1864 and completes the letter on 10 February 1864 from Norwich, New York. Once at Norwich, he states he was made assistant sergeant of the barracks. His health has never been better...
GLC03523.06.02
to Sephronia Fairchild [incomplete]
February 20, 1864
Fairchild writes to his wife from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. It appears to be an incomplete letter as there is no signature and the text ends abruptly. Gives a history of his troops movements to date. Complains about the food and blames...
GLC03523.06.03
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