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to sister
30 December 1863
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
He complains that Cassie only writes him once a month and says Christmas was a dreary day
GLC02161.110
February 4, 1864
He sent her $20. He apologizes for being neglectful. It is only because he has so many business letters to write.
GLC02161.113
to mother
17 March 1864
He is sorry to hear of his mother's illness. He sent his citizen's suit home yesterday. He will have his hair cut soon.
GLC02161.115
March 30, 1864
He mentions several friends and acquaintances. One of the lieutenants is sick. Charley is in command of the 27th.
GLC02161.117
[orders for Orville S. Dewey]
20 April 1864
Hall, James, A., 1750-1819
Dewey is ordered to Washington on guard patrol.
GLC02161.121
to Eunice Lombard Edwards
February 27, 1862
Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904
Edwards, senior aide-de-camp on the staff of General Darius N. Couch, writes to his mother, from head quarters, Couch's brigade. Remarks that he will take the train to Washington, D.C., on 28 February. Does not know his precise destination, but...
GLC02163.01
to Fannie Schoonmaker
17 March 1862
Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862
Printed on stationery marked "Liberty and Union." Has a "troubled mind." Does not know why she has not responded to his letter. Is "ready to face the enemy and stand fast." The regiment is going to move, and he has to go to the "cursed hospital" for...
GLC02164.07
to daughter
30 September 1861
Reese, David
The letter has a green New York stamp that includes the New York State seal. Lets his daughter know he is well. Moved from Washington to Aliten [Alton?] Heights last Saturday. Are within eleven miles of the battlefield. "Do not know what minute we...
GLC02164.10
to his sister Sallie
1 July 1862
Davis, William B., fl. 1861-1862
GLC02160.04
to Mary "Mollie" McLean
30 May 1861
McLean, William, fl. 1854-1862
He was promoted to first lieutenancy and is trying to arrange for her and the children to come visit him. He expects their destination to be Harper's Ferry or Richmond.
GLC02161.007
1 January 1862
McLean, R.J., fl. 1862
Harry is ill with pneumonia. He worries about Harry because he has a slight build and doesn't think he'll be able to endure this "rough world."
GLC02161.012
to [Harriet W. Dewey]
9 June 1862
He has been receiving compliments on his work. They are camped on the battlefield and as he writes the Rebels are throwing shells into their camp.
GLC02161.025
18 July 1862
Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.
GLC02161.035
22 July 1862
He requests photos of mother and father. He is also enclosing a sketch from an illustrated newspaper depicting the cavalry battle that Will fought in. Not included here.
GLC02161.037
to [Norman R. Dewey]
23 July 1862
He wants his father to stop working so hard. He should be as comfortable as possible. He warns his father it may be a year before he can visit him.
GLC02161.038
25 July 1862
He sent money to father and told mother to send him some things. Capt. M.went down to Fort Monroe. It is hot and uncomfortable.
GLC02161.039
28 July 1862
He has been working hard in the hot sun. He is looking forward to Will's release. She should go to Michigan to visit an uncle of theirs.
GLC02161.040
1 August 1862
The Rebels attacked the night before and he describes how the sky lit up because of the flash of the artillery. His theory as to why is that the attack drew their gunboats out, thus allowing the Rebels to follow them.
GLC02161.042
to his mother
10 August 1862
Everyone is happy about the "drafting order." He knows Lincoln wants to end the war. He has not received any boxes yet. He wants a position in one of the conscript regiments.
GLC02161.048
21 August 1862
Will is in the hospital and he is hoping he can get a leave because he will need lots of home care if he is to be fit for duty again. They leave for Newport News tonight. He is afraid the new movement will break the army up.
GLC02161.051
to William McLean
7 September 1862
He tells a story in which a lot of soldiers and cavalry were standing around and someone asked, 'Where's Gen. Pope?' And someone else answered: 'In his headquarters.' Upon asking where his headquarters were, the reply was: 'In his saddle.' Written in...
GLC02161.055
27 September 1862
He is very bitter towards the Buffalonians for their bias toward other regiments. It looks like many regiments will be consolidated since some have lost a considerable number of men. Some officers will be discharged and if he is one, he will not...
GLC02161.058
5 October 1862
They were reviewed by Lincoln on the third. Unfortunately, they've had to wear the same clothes since before Richmond. There is much description concerning their raggedy clothes.
GLC02161.060
13 October 1862
No one is getting paid. Some of the men have no clothes and few tents. He assures his sister he will send some money the moment he is paid.
GLC02161.062
23 November 1862
He thanks her for the package she sent. He has rheumatism in his hip, he thinks. Their lieutenant resigned on account of sickness. Written at the Stafford Courthouse.
GLC02161.067
6 April 1863
He wrote to his uncle about Charley's horse. He has since recovered from his illness and feels great. Mrs. Bird and Nellie stopped by and they had a nice visit.
GLC02161.076
22 July 1863
He says he'd rather shoot copperheads than Southerners because copperheads are disgracing the North. They are in Philadelphia and he thinks Philadelphians are the friendliest people.
GLC02161.087
30 July 1863
He is afraid he will never get his his back pay. Though if he gets mustered back to the 24th of January he'll get six months pay. This will be a big help to the entire family.
GLC02161.088
to father
27 October 1863
He is finally to be mustered for his back pay He acknowledges all Al Wheeler is doing for him by offering him lieutenancy in his battery. He wishes Uncle S.P would offer him a commission in the regular army.
GLC02161.098
1 November 1863
The mustering officer has not shown up yet. As soon as he comes, he can start for New York. He heard that head quarters approves of his new appointment.
GLC02161.099
25 April 1864
He was assigned to the 10th army corps. He asks if a fellow lieutenant's body was received by the military.
GLC02161.123
20 May 1864
Written "in the field." The "Johnnies" have been skirmishing with their infantry and artillery. They have a strong position. They have three regiments of colored troops but they have not been let in yet.
GLC02161.127
to Harriet W. Dewey
19 June 1864
He is very healthy and there is no sickness in the army. They are all full of fight for the campaign that will decide whether this "nation is one or two."
GLC02161.132
to Esther Ann Kinney
31 May 1863
Blanchard, John, fl. 1862-1864
re: Blanchard writes about how "Gen Hooker got whiped the Boys are feeling down hearted." He also writes about his view on the Confederate cause, saying that he would rather let the rebels have their rights than be led by inept Generals. He also...
GLC02162.09
5 January 1863
Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Notes that he was recently on picket duty on the Rappahannock River, one hundred yards from enemy pickets: "they seemed greatly to enjoy the reading of Jeff Davises'...
GLC02163.05
January 31, 1863
Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Thanks his mother for a box from home, which he received on his birthday. Notes that Mr. Tiffany and a judge from Chicopee, Massachusetts were present for the opening...
GLC02163.10
[Wrapper that previously contained letters from Oliver Edwards to his mother, Eunice Lombard Edwards]
1861-1865
GLC02163.15
23 April 1862
Printed with a red white and blue stamp of a woman clad in the American flag. Received her letter a day ago. Many have been wounded since he last wrote. Will give a short account of what has happened. Rebels spotted two miles from camp. When they...
GLC02164.08
1815-1860
GLC02164.13
to Mary Ann Davis
4 January 1862
Holly, William H., ?-1864
Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Talks of mutual acquaintances, (including a death, one in an "insane retreat" and one who goes down town and returns "pretty tight"), Christmas (when he hears a sermon by an African missionary on "what shall be done...
GLC02165.01
16 August 1862
Written at Camp Hubbard to a friend. Talks of the departure of "Doctor" for whom Holly most likely works and whom Holly is sad to see go. A man comes along and asks for whiskey; describes his practices of "prescribing" whiskey. Comments that though...
GLC02165.08
10 October 1862
Written at Camp Kearney to a friend. Talks in awe of a herd of 1500 cattle captured by forces to be eaten. Describes the quarters of Dr. Benedict, a friend, for whom Holley most likely works, in a former home of Confederates. Then, talks of the...
GLC02165.12
4 November 1863
Written at Vermilion Bayou to a friend. Describes reading Mary's letters on the march, and the expansive plantation of a Rebel General "Moota" (perhaps General Alfred Mouton), commenting "you can imagine how things will look here in a day or two, not...
GLC02165.15
to his aunt
January 19, 1862
He is camped near Washington and he is very interested in the town. He wants to get a pass and explore. He imagines a time when the great rebellion will end and the troops will go marching back to whoever is home.
GLC02161.016
21 June 1863
He mentions the apathy and the copperheads amongst the North. He says the Southerners are a remorseless people who are willing to win or die. Recently they had a grand review by Gen. Barry.
GLC02161.084
19 November 1863
He has not yet seen Tom McCabe but is watching closely for his arrival. He is Cassie's brother and may decide he is unworthy of her.
GLC02161.101
24 December 1863
Mr. Page came to see him yesterday. He took him to a grand artillery review. He is looking forward to carving the turkey tomorrow.
GLC02161.109
7 January 1864
He visited the Gardiners today and had a pleasant time. He liked the diary she sent. He wonders if Cassie will give him "the slip".
GLC02161.111
January 13, 1864
Cassie wrote, apologizing for her silence. She hasn't written because her sister has been ill and this has required all her time.
GLC02161.112
22 November 1863
re: Blanchard describes the skirmishes his regiment has with the Confederate troops around the Rappahannock River in the defense of Washington DC. He also describes his camp, saying, "the huts were constructed of bags plastered with mud…every thing...
GLC02162.05
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