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to Mother

He is on his way way home. He describes the journey so far. They are lucky the government aren't trying to keep them in service after the war, as they could have done. If they did, they would be breaking their trust. Letter written near Louisville...

GLC00653.11.01

to Sister

He continues to talk of the possibility of having to remain in service. He reiterates that he is tired of the service. Includes general orders No. 146, dated September 30, 1862 which says "no officer will hereafter be relieved of his command and sent...

GLC00653.11.02

to Father

The night before they left Savannah there was a fire, caused by incendiaries. Along the road between there and Savannah he describes it as the poorest he's seen. He hopes his father received the watch and money he sent.

GLC00653.11.04

to Mother

The letter discusses that the third and fourth division of their corps broke up camp and crossed the river to Hutchinson Island. Bad times ensued for the third division. 300 mules were drowned and the wagons overflowed.

GLC00653.11.05

to Father

He requests several items. He notes that there is construction going on around him.

GLC00653.11.06

to Sister

Even though Savannah is still in the hands of the Rebels, they recently gained a landing place for supplies and he think it will only be a matter of time. He gives a summary of the march from Rome. 21 miles outside of Savannah, they got into a...

GLC00653.11.07

to Mother

He notes the arrival of the paymaster. He is critical of the fact that they are dependent upon a railroad in the hands of the Rebels.

GLC00653.11.08

to Sister Ellen

He describes the town of Rome as an interesting place. The town is mainly filled with the sick and wounded now. Apparently General Sherman told General Corse to "make his men comfortable if it took every house in Rome."

GLC00653.11.09

to Sister Mary

They camped near Jonesboro and then they went up to Eastpoint. They are now camped inside rebel fortifications. During this time, they had been without shelter but for a single rubber blanket. He tells a story of how Sherman manages to fool Hood. The...

GLC00653.11.10

to Mother

Atlanta is now in their possession. He describes the operation. Letter was written near Lovejoy, Georgia.

GLC00653.11.11

to Mother

They are now in reserve but are constantly getting shot at. General Dodge got struck in the head by a musket. A deserter came in the other day giving them information about Hood.

GLC00653.11.12

to Sister Mary

He reports all the fun they had for the past 9 days. They've had picnics and seen fireworks for the Fourth of July. But now they are back at work building an advanced entrenchment.

GLC00653.11.13

to Father

Last Thursday they managed to push back the rebel skirmishers but after two hours they were forced back to their original position. He heard that Clearland has Typhoid fever and he will visit him. They expect to get paid soon.

GLC00653.11.14

to Sister

The Rebels are well fortified from the base to the summit of the mountain and they have been skirmishing all the time. Hooker advanced. Written at Big Shanty Camp.

GLC00653.11.15

to Sister Mary

The fourth division suffered in the skirmishes. The rebels ended up retreating again. They picked up some prisoners but were unable to make an advance. Around the 9th, they camped near Marietta.

GLC00653.11.16

to Sister Mary

They were able to gain all the ground desired from the recent skirmishes. Even though they have used their artillery on the present camp they have not done much damage. Their accommodations are a little better now. Letter was written near Atlanta...

GLC00653.11.17

to Sister Ellen

They have been on the march through Dalton and Resaca. Fighting took place left and center. They skirmished until Kingston and then marched to Dallas.

GLC00653.11.18

to Father

He has been sick lately and even had to be taken away in an ambulance. He is feeling better however. They had a battle recently in which 10,000 volunteers came to help them. Yesterday there was heavy skirmishing.

GLC00653.11.19

to Mother

He just returned from a three day march. They marched through the dark and the rain and encountered fallen logs. He requests butter and dried apples. Pages missing.

GLC00653.11.20

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott describes how they got across Bear River to meet the enemy where they immediately began fighting. The enemy rescued some of their prisoners. The next day they marched back and camped near a mountain.

GLC00653.11.21

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about the new clothes he has purchased and received from the army. He bought new shirts and received a new blanket.

GLC00653.11.23

to Sister

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about mutual friends and acquaintances. He is glad Robert did not enlist because he would not have liked a soldier's life all. He also notes that the chaplain returned. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.24

to Father

Laurens W Wolcott writes that the 42nd regiment passed by and he got to see people he hadn't seen in a while. One of four gunboats was captured in battle. Afterwards more than half the company was sick but they are feeling better now. The weather has...

GLC00653.11.25

to Sister

Yesterday there was skirmishing among the pickets. They also received strict orders not to cross the lines of their division except on business. The weather has been pleasant.

GLC00653.11.26

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott is writing from the hospital where he has been ill with fever. Now, however, he is doing much better but will stay a little longer before resuming hard duty.

GLC00653.11.27

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that they got on a steamer bound for St. Louis where he met a friend who entrusted a package with him. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.28

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that on Thursday night they were taken out of their tents to go to Stewartsville. They were expected to have a major skirmish there, but nothing happened. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.29

to Brother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there are some people who say they have defective arms, but he thinks their weapons are very well-made. He says they have been living on 2 meals per days and he has enjoyed good health. He writes that they marched at...

GLC00653.11.30

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that he wants his father to send him newspapers like the Independent. He mentions that the weather has been pleasant, and that more troops keep arriving.

GLC00653.11.31

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that the weather has been warm and apples are growing. Lately, he has been learning how to cook. He writes that they are camped in a pleasant place. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.32

to Father

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there is less sickness than at any other time among the company. General "Oglesbee" visited the hospital, and Doctor Humphrey was appointed assistant surgeon. Wolcott's mother urged him to get a discharge, but he is not...

GLC00653.11.33

to his mother

GLC00653.21.01

to his mother

Henry F. Spencer describes his regiment's travels through Maryland and Pennsylvania, and mentions the Battle of Gettysburg, though does not go into much detail. Also mentions exchanging fire on July 4, evidently the last of the skirmishing after the...

GLC00653.21.03

to his Father

Letter written from Drummondtown, present-day Accomac, Virginia.

GLC00653.21.04

to his Parents

Letter written from "Camp Burnside near Point Isabel" (likely Point Isabele), present-day Burnside, Kentucky.

GLC00653.21.05

to his Parents

Letter written from "Poplars Grove Church," Virginia.

GLC00653.21.09

Ellsworth Avengers

Song entitled "Ellsworth Avengers."

GLC00653.21.10

to Elvira Winegar

They got 4 months pay. He expressed 75 dollars to her. It will be some time before they leave their present location.

GLC01014.185

to Eben R. Ayers

Garfield States that the telegram from Ayers got to him just as he was leaving on a recruitment tour for the 10th companies 42nd regiment. He says that he has yet to hear from Washington on a officers apointment to 2nd liutenant, but will let Ayers...

GLC07187.04

to My Dear Mother

He writes that so far the life of a soldier has been peaceful because the hard fighting they expected did not occur. He is in the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry. The city of Washington was the dirtiest place he ever saw.

GLC07205.007

to Bro. Sherman

He hasn't been able to write because there have been so many wounded under his care, both Union and Rebel soldiers. He describes particular soldiers he was able to save.

GLC07205.018

to Bro. Sherman

He mentions several friends that have been discharged like Doody, Maxim, O'Donanhue and Charlie. He mentions the doctors and nurses at the hospital and how at one point there were nearly a thousand patients.

GLC07205.029

to Uncle Frye

In Boston they were presented with a flag by the Hon. R.C Winthrop. In New York they were invited to the 5th Avenue Hotel where they heard James G. Brady speak and were presented with another flag. They also passed through Philadelphia, Baltimore and...

GLC07205.080

to William J. Whittford

He writes on the Christian faith and God's will which has carried them to this point in the war. He refers to the Garrison abolitionists and their motto: "The United States Constitution is a covenant with death and an agreement with hell."

GLC07205.103

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Discusses the weather, particularly the muddy conditions. He states that the local rock is limestone and that the mud makes good mortar for building chimneys. Wheeler expects that they will stay in Nashville for some time, possibly through the...

GLC07460.056

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

There is occasional shelling from both sides. Beyond that little has changed and his regiment is still in the same locations as when he last wrote. Most of the Confederate shells fall too short or go too far to cause much damage to the Union lines...

GLC07460.089

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

Written at Cloud's Mill near Alexandria, Virginia. His regiment passed through Richmond, Virginia on 10 and 11 May. They marched through the principal streets in column formation. Union Army Chief of Staff Henry Halleck did not receive them and...

GLC07460.120

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

Writes that he is very grateful to be able to see his family once again and looks forward to being reunited with them. He hopes that the war is over for good and that they will be able to return home soon. Writes that the government is working hard...

GLC07460.121

to unknown

Writes that during the holidays he was very busy and had a lot of work to do around the farm. He has received a book from his class and an album with a photograph in it came to him in a "mysterious" way. He has also received several smaller presents...

GLC07460.122

to [Father]

GLC07687.005