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to Sister

He will get his ambrotype in his full uniform and send it home. The Captain is leaving and he doesn't know who will replace him. Written at Camp Boston

GLC07205.044

to Sister Sophia

They prepared to go to the Point of Rocks. He sent an ambrotype home to his mother. He tells his sister he would like to see her bird sing. Written at Camp Boston.

GLC07205.045

to Sister Sophia

He asks if she went to the dance she told him about and tells to remember him while she is waltzing. Tells her to remember him to several people. Written in Camp Jackson, also known as Fort Jackson

GLC07205.047

to Sister Sophia

They received the news of the capture of Island Noll. Later they say that if General Abercrombie had followed orders they may have been involved in a great battle He teases his sister about having a lover.

GLC07205.048

to Sister Sophia

He talks about their picket duty in Virginia and the surrounding woods. One day a squad approached a Rebel pickett and a fight broke out. He describes an exciting scene during which none of the men on his side got hurt.

GLC07205.049

to Sister Sophia

He writes that his arm is getting better and he is glad that guaranteed employment is waiting for him.

GLC07205.050

to Sister Sophia

He describes his current surroundings, the food and pickett guard. He tells a story about killing a hog.

GLC07205.051

to Sister Sophia

They have moved to a more scenic spot in Warrenton.There are a lot of berries there and too many soldiers.

GLC07205.052

to Sister Sophia

Includes drawing of Camp Boston and map of surrounding area.
He writes he had one of the happiest days since arriving. He received a box from home containing everything he wants and he likes the captain they currently have. Written at Camp Boston.

GLC07205.053

to Sister Sophia

The weather is getting colder and he has a cold in his head. When he is on guard he will think of waltzing with her, Written in Camp Jackson, also known as Fort Jackson

GLC07205.055

to Sister Sophia

He is afraid that if they start drafting, George and Edmund will have join the war effort. If they do, he hopes they join his regiment. He hopes the time will come when they can all be together again. Written at Camp Fisk

GLC07205.056

to Sister Sophia

Right now they are having a very lazy time of it and most of the mena re on their backs. He has heard that Capt. Carlow is well-liked. he tells Sophia he is glad he is a private and proud of it. Written in Camp Jackson, also known as Fort Jackson

GLC07205.057

to Sister Sophia

Gen. Abercrombie received his brigade the other day and marched very poorly. The boys call him Old Crabree Abercrombie. He is glad his sister is attending school. The other day they arrested a man on suspicion of being a spy and subsequently hung him...

GLC07205.058

to Sister Sophia

There was one night where he stayed in an old widow's house. The widow was upset about the death of her dog. He talks of one day returning to school to become a better speller and writer.

GLC07205.059

to Sister Sophia

He mentions a Sarah Bawker who has left her husband.He talked to a woman from Philadelphia about the differences between Northerners and Southerners.

GLC07205.066

to Sister Sophia

He mentions a John Odell who owns a store. It also looks as though he may get a discharge even though he hasn't asked for it.

GLC07205.069

to Brother Frye

Includes separate message for Brother Clark written by John Frye. They were hoping to surprise some Rebels on Monday morning but they had already left. Next he describes the long march that followed.admidst a rain storm and other misadventures.

GLC07205.077

to Brother Frye

Recently he has returned from officer school. He talks about the inconsistent weather and his relationship with his brother.

GLC07205.078

to Brother Frye

He has just returned from the Grand Review which he describes as magnificent. It was of the Left Wing of the army on the Potomac. He also discusses a building that he wants to sell.

GLC07205.079

to Brother Frye

They have been ordered to be ready to move at a moment's notice. He describes the scene as nothing but troops and more troops and wishes Frye could be there to see it. He mentions Gen. McClellan and Gen. Wilson who has invited him to dinner.

GLC07205.081

to Sister Sophia

He describes a march in which he drank from a spring and fell asleep under some trees. They continued onto Fredricksburg where they passed a house and a man came out and said "Hi Yankees." Letter contains dried flower. Missing pages. Written in a...

GLC07205.082

to Sister Sophia

One of his fellow soldiers got married in camp. He asks his sister what she would think if he did the same thing. But he says he will not marry until he is able to support a wife. He describes the flowers. A great many of the regiment are currently...

GLC07205.083

to Sister Sophia

He inquires after Nettie and Maggie. He mentions cousin George who has gotten into a good regiment. He reminisces. One of the privates brought a pig in from Darnstown.. They also brought a dog into camp. He refers to the Clarks. Written in Camp...

GLC07205.084

to Unknown

Begins in the middle. There are pages missing. He is now in his third contract. He refers to Mrs. Thule and Carrie. Henry Wright of Plimpton was wounded. He received a "box of goodies" from the ladies in Loule neighborhood.

GLC07205.085

to Unknown

Begins in the middle. There are pages missing. He spent some time in Indianaoplis and was then welcomed back by the patients of the hospital. He mentions Lincoln's message and proclamation. He saw the statue of freedom raised to the dome of the...

GLC07205.086

to Sister Sophia

He is told he will never rejoin his regiment because he will never regain strength in his arm.

GLC07205.087

to Wilbur

He writes that a lot of the men are sick and that he himself has had dysentary for the last two weeks.

GLC07205.088

to Father

His arm seems to be getting better. He read Sumner's speech. He says he has had an opportunity to study the black man "and it is seldom that you meet a negro that is in any way intelligent. These enlightened ones have white blood in them."

GLC07205.089

to Father

He is afraid he has nothing interesting to say. He talks of his great appreciation for her and their mother. He refers to his sister wanting to find him a young lady by the time he gets home.

GLC07205.090

to Sister Sophia

He describes the last battle he particpated in. There were many wounded and killed. They fought in a cornfield and in the woods. He is glad Massachusetts has raised so many volunteers.

GLC07205.092

to Br. John

He writes about his work as a mail carrier and how he is owed a hundred dollars. He refers to prayer meetings.

GLC07205.093

to Sister Sophia

Fort Donaldson [Fort Doneslon] is surrounded by the Union troops now and that is not the only good news. However, the Chamberlain is to be court martialed for drunkeness. He assures his sister that he does not drink. Written in Camp Jackson, also...

GLC07205.099

[Oval photograph of Andrew Fuller Tomes]

Inscription on verso reads "Andrew Fuller Tomes as he went to war - Company 9 Beecher Company. 13th Reg. 1861."

GLC07304.02

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler writes that a few men from his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois are at camp including his brother-in-law Darius Spohn. He reports that while the soldier's wives visit, they mend and alter clothes, and accompany their husbands to the city at...

GLC07460.001

to his parents and sister

Wheeler's regiment has marched 33 miles and many of the men have discarded their belongings along the way. He writes that they pass slaves along the road at almost every house and although a few volunteered to join the Union soldiers, they later...

GLC07460.002

to his father [Shepherd Wheeler]

Writes that his regiment is stopping in Scottsville, Kentucky for a while. Asks his father to send him tea, as he cannot find any where he is.

GLC07460.003

to his parents and sister

He advises his family not to worry about writing him when he's marching because the mail follows closely behind. Writes that it is sixty-eight miles to Nashville by railroad and there are too many men to transport by train. Some of the men have...

GLC07460.004

to his parents and sister

He writes that it took two days to travel from Bowling Green to Scottsville because the roads were rough and the wagons so heavily loaded the wheels had to be chained to go downhill. Comments that men and women, "meager looking whips," are often...

GLC07460.005

to his parents and sister

Writes that he and Darius have received money by way of Mrs. Warner, their captain's wife. He reports that General Dumont is issuing a notice in the papers identifying men who have deserted and offering a reward for their return. In response, the...

GLC07460.006

to his parents and sister

Wheeler has just marched fourteen miles to Gallatin, Tennessee and writes that he doesn't mind the marching as much as he used to. The letter is continued on Thursday, November 27th; Thanksgiving day. Wheeler writes that he will not march today but...

GLC07460.007

to his parents and sister

Lysander recounts how they surrounded and ambushed a suspected secessionist's house during the night, only to find nothing. The secessionist claimed to be a Unionist but admitted his brother is in the Confederate Army and that there were things...

GLC07460.010

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that many men have been receiving discharge papers, particularly those who are disabled. Reports that the mail has been irregular due to a heavy storm that washed away the tressel work of the train tracks. Relates the news that Captain...

GLC07460.011

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside...

GLC07460.012

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee....

GLC07460.013

to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Discusses farm business back home. He describes a "grand foraging expedition" led by Major Dutton. In response to his father's comment about taking Wheeler's place, Lysander states "I couldn't let you have my place under any consideration...I...

GLC07460.014

to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner...

GLC07460.015

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Asks Darius, his brother-in-law, to settle some acounts for him back home. Reports that his regiment will march to meet General Hooker tomorrow morning. Mentions the Sons of Temperance a brotherhood of men who were committed to not drinking alcohol...

GLC07460.016

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He reports that John Fetterly has died of small pox. Writes that Fetterly was unable to march, so he was transferred to the pest house where he died. Wheeler informs his family that he will be on the march and may not be able to write for ten or...

GLC07460.017

to his parents and sister

He remarks "truly a soldier's life is a life of inequalities it learns a person to take everything as it comes." George Bowen has deserted; he was under 18 when he enlisted and his father came to get him but "failing to do it by fair means George...

GLC07460.018

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that a new order has been announced in which deserters will be dealt with promptly, even with the punishment of death. He also reports that new regulations are in affect for furloughs and only a certain number of furloughs will be...

GLC07460.019