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to Almira Winchell

Written from three miles to the left of their previous position (possibly near the Weldon Railroad in Virginia). Writes of the captured rebel prisoners and four cannons. Expresses confidence in the success of the Union army but admits there are...

GLC04706.12

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Writes that the battery fired a 100 gun salute in celebration of [General William T] Sherman's capture of Savannah, Georgia. Thinks the winter campaigns are over. Describes how he and his friends spent Christmas.

GLC04706.13

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Responds to a letter from Almira. Writes that he is sorry that there are no single men left home to attend the dances.

GLC04706.14

to Almira Winchell

Written from Camp Battery B. Cautions her not to be to optimistic about General Ulysses S. Grant taking Richmond, Virginia. Notes that he is glad to hear a friend has been captured: "I would rather have him a prisoner than a Deserter."

GLC04706.15

to Almira Winchell

Addresses Almira as his cousin. Writes about a friend who is being discharged. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps. Written at Warren, possibly Warren County, Virginia.

GLC04706.17

to Almira Winchell

The regiment has moved across the Potomac to Fort Lyon. Gives news of the death of a friend. Accompanied by an envelope printed with the insignia of the Fifth Corps.

GLC04706.18

to Almira Winchell

In regard to Almira's admonishment to leave whiskey alone, writes, "I never liked it any way."

GLC04706.19

to Almira Winchell

Writes from Harris Hospital. Expects to be home in two weeks. He went to see the "old dutch woman that tells fortunes and well never mind."

GLC04706.20

to Almira Winchell

Writes from a hospital. Describes his leg amputation six months ago, which still gives him trouble.

GLC04706.21

to Almira Winchell

Writes while on his way home via ambulance. Relates that he is still having problems with his leg. Thinks that he should not have left Nashville but the Confederates were too close to the city and could be seen from the hospital. Is sorry to hear...

GLC04706.22

to Almira Winchell

Relates that his leg is infected and he needs another operation. Writes about Sherman's capture of Savannah, Georgia, with "150 pieces of artillery, 130 locomotives, and lots of other stuff."

GLC04706.23

to Almira Winchell

Writes from the General Hospital. Expects to come home on furlough next month. Does not know what he will do for a living once the war is over.

GLC04706.24

to Almira Winchell

Writes to "Mrs. Thankful" Winchell. Written from [Clouds Mill]. Notes that he spends most of his time picking huckleberries. Asks whether Thomas Donahue has returned home yet.

GLC04706.25

to unknown [incomplete]

His regiment is guarding a bridge between New Haven, Kentucky and Boston, Kentucky. Guerrillas (led by John H. Morgan) cut the telegraph lines in Boston and then stayed over night in the house of a noted secessionist. Also mentions Confederate raids...

GLC05241.01

to Mary Magie

Headquarters 78th Regt., Illinois Volunteers. Describes Morgan's raids at Springfield and New Haven, Kentucky, 30 December 1862. Magie, dressed as a southerner, undertook a dangerous mission to rescue the officers' horses. Union troops managed to...

GLC05241.02

to Mary Magie

Headquarters 78th Regt. Ill. Vol. Misdated 1862, discusses Morgan's raid at New Haven, see GLC05241.02. Recounts more of his adventures as a spy dressed in rebel uniform. Mentions his capture of a Confederate named Floyd Price. Asks for a copy of the...

GLC05241.03

to Mary Magie

Writes from Headquarters of the 78th Regt, Illinois Volunteers. Notes that he has not received a letter from her in two weeks. Informs her about friends who were killed or wounded in recent fighting. Yesterday, January 7th, was his 37th birthday and...

GLC05241.04

to Mary Magie

He is in Louisville on regimental business. He received a letter which indicated that Eddie, their son, was gravely ill. He wants to know what was wrong with him. Another son, Charles has begun to swear. Magie advises Mary to tell Charles that if...

GLC05241.05

to Mary Magie

Writes from Headquarters of the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He asks her to write at least once a week. They have received marching orders, but heavy rains made the river rise and they may not be able to move. He spent last night playing a...

GLC05241.06

to Mary Magie

The regiment has moved to Louisville. He and a few other officers have taken possession of a building to use as their quarters. The contraband cook is practicing his spelling. He received a letter detailing Eddy's illness. He wants his son...

GLC05241.07

to Mary Magie

Written on board the steamer J. H. Groesbeck. Between fourteen and eighteen steamboats are loaded with troops and ready to move out, but no one is sure where they are going. He has been paid and will send the money home by express. He gives her...

GLC05241.08

to Mary Magie

Written on board the steamer J. H. Groesbeck. Notes the regiment is bound for Fort Donelson. Says he has comfortable quarters in a cabin with some other officers but the enlisted men are very crowded. Mentions that his colonel is under arrest for...

GLC05241.09

to Mary Magie

Written on board the steamer John H. Groesbeck, anchored near Dover, Kentucky. Discusses the attack by Confederate Generals Forrest and Wheeler on Fort Donelson. Describes the Confederate dead and wounded soldiers and sends home a lock of Colonel...

GLC05241.10

to Mary Magie

Written three miles from Nashville on the Franklin Pike. Writes that the regiment is on its way to Franklin. Describes the vast destruction of local property: "There are the ruins of several magnificent places between here and Nashville. The...

GLC05241.11

to Mary Magie

Reports that he was appointed Brigade Postmaster. His new position will allow him to make $30 to $50 a month by selling writing paper, envelopes and newspapers. The colonel is still under arrest. A strange order requires the regiment to get up at...

GLC05241.12

to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. Date inferred from content. Labeled "No 1." Writes that he travels to Nashville every other day to retrieve the mail. He buys newspapers for 5 cents each and sells them for 10 cents.

GLC05241.13

to Mary Magie

"No. 2." He has been promoted to Division Postmaster. Recounts three incidents which occurred while traveling between Nashville and Franklin. First, he tells of finding a group of men in Butternut whom he thought to be Confederates. He thought...

GLC05241.14

to Mary Magie

"No. 3." Writes of the basic itinerary he follows on his trips Nashville. Besides picking up the mail, he buys newspapers and for a fee runs errands for other soldiers. Laments the destruction of fences and houses for firewood.

GLC05241.15

to Mary Magie

"No 4." He makes a great deal of money by selling newspapers and running errands, and if he can hold his position he hopes to send his wife $1,000 by the end of the war. Asks that she not tell anyone how much he sends her because the soldiers do not...

GLC05241.16

to Mary Magie

Sends his wife $10 and asks her to allow the bearer of the letter, Mr. Freeman, to stay at the house for one night. Notes that he believes there will be a battle soon but does not expect to be involved. A pencil sketch of a grave marker and verse...

GLC05241.17

to Mary Magie

He wants to loan out $50 with interest. Mentions a battle at Franklin [4-5 March 1863] including the fact that their general was arrested afterward for a blunder.

GLC05241.18

to: his mother.

Camp Pierce, to his mother.

GLC07059.02

to Mother and Brother

Sends news home. Comments on food including having a "porter house steak" for "Carnivale," weather conditions, and his schedule. Discusses supplies and surgeons for Wisconsin Regiments, with autograph letter signed on verso from Alida McParlin.

GLC02649.11

to William H. McParlin

Discusses the need for medical supplies, commenting that "The sickness at Camp Douglas is on the decline - but the prisoners of war at Camp Butler near Springfield are reported as having much sickness among them." Comments on his impression of...

GLC02649.13

to Alida McParlin

A short letter to his wife, saying he will write more later. Indicates he will be going out to the 5th Corps in the morning. Notes his good health. On the verso is Dr. McParlin's title and office, indicating the stationery was for official...

GLC02649.14

to Alida McParlin

Acknowledges receiving his wife's letter. Comments on the return of the Naval Academy to Annapolis, and the government's ability to build hospitals. Discusses his department and military matters, taxes, and Alida's restlessness, and the brigadier...

GLC02649.15

to Alida Roca McParlin

McParlin sends news of himself and asks for more letters from his wife. Writes about life and work at the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. Comments on religion, friends, and food. Has been so cold that he has been using his "buffalo robe." Troops...

GLC02649.39

to Alida McParlin

Incomplete letter fragment discussing California and Europe, and McParlin's wish to see his wife.

GLC02649.44

to Mary Kelly

Discusses miserably wet weather and deep mud. He believes "Providence" brought the bad weather to keep them from being slaughtered in battle. He criticizes Washington for the slow conduct of the war and believes that newspapers are making up battles...

GLC04197.16

to Mary Kelly

They fired two 34 gun salutes in honor of General Washington's Birthday. Discusses Union victories and his hopes that the Confederates will evacuate the area along the Potomac. He has not been paid since his "return."

GLC04197.20

to Mary Kelly

General Lander's sudden illness and death from "inflammation of the Brain" delayed the regiment's marching orders. He offers a lengthy description of the funeral procession that escorted Lander' coffin to a train bound for Washington and adds his...

GLC04197.22

to Mary Kelly

He toured the estate of the ex-Senator and ex-minister to Spain, C. J. Falkner. Falkner himself fled from the approaching Federal army. He finally received a letter from home and was alarmed to hear that someone was prowling around their house at...

GLC04197.24

to Mary Kelly

The weather has been bad. The regiment moved 16 miles east of their former position at Branch Bridge. The journey, made by rail, proved disastrous as the train let them off in a field with no tents. Two days later another train picked them up and...

GLC04197.17

to Mary Kelly

He describes his division commander. "I Must Say that I dont think much of the Celebrated Gen. Lander, in the first place, he is a desperatily profane wicked man, and I am inclined to think he cares nothing for the lives of his men, . . . ." He...

GLC04197.18

to Mary Kelly

Mentions the capture of Forts Henry and Donnelson. He heard a rumor that Jefferson Davis was evacuating Manassas Junction. The regiment returned from its outing to attack a Confederate Camp without having fought. Instead the Union cavalry found...

GLC04197.19

to Mary Kelly

The regiment received marching orders. He believes they are going to Winchester. The weather is still cold.

GLC04197.21

to Mary Kelly

He has not received any mail from home in a long time. The weather is still cold. He requests postage stamps and reports that they will go to Martinsburg by rail.

GLC04197.23

to Sarah

She has joined her husband at the hospital. He was wounded in the lower abdomen. The wound appears fatal and he seems resigned to die. She hopes to move him to a better hospital. She comments on her fate and "right hard trouble every spring."...

GLC04197.25

to James Kelly

He is on leave and visited Kelley's house. He encourages his friend to keep his spirits up and to follow the surgeon's instructions.

GLC04197.28

[Candlelight notes of Co K 14 Ind. Reg.]

Pages 1-13 glorifies the service of Civil War soldiers, contains a summary of the beginning of the war, tells the history of the organization of the 14th Indiana regiment, and contains copies of early letter's Captain Kelly's which are not included...

GLC04197.36