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To his wife

Describes leaving New York and traveling to Yorktown without his regiment, journeying back to West Point to join them, and then the trip to Virginia. Briefly mentions battle for a railroad and the unit's transferred to the "seige Corps."

GLC04558.132

To his wife

Describes skirmishes and battle near the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond, where "lots of the men were sunstruck." Has not been able to "draw money for rations and I don't know when we shall"; mentions a letter from Urial, a need for stamps...

GLC04558.133

To his wife

Has not heard from his wife since he left New York. Lengthy decription of the back and forth fighting around Richmond and the heavy losses by both sides. Cross writing questions whether money sent from Elmira was received.

GLC04558.134

To his wife

Placed in command of a "post" along the James, GWT directs the defense of his troops as Confederates repeatedly attack from across a ravine. Also defends himself against rumors that he played games and drank at Parkers (in New York).

GLC04558.135

To his wife

Details the health of friends, including one who has measles, and acknowledges a pay raise. "This dearest is an awful campaign. Rivers of blood have already been shed but still the story is not half told yet."

GLC04558.136

To his wife

Describe marches and the break up of the brigade. Sends his wife his new address and cautions her not to work too hard.

GLC04558.137

To his wife

Writes news of the fighting at Cold Harbor and lists the fate of friends. "I take this opportunity of leting [sic] you know that I am still among the living, but still I have to acknowledge that life here at present is very uncertain."

GLC04558.138

To his wife

Still in the rifle pits at Cold Harbor. "On the 6th a flag of truce was sent out for the purpose of burying our dead that lay outside of our lines and began to smell so as to make it very disagreeable for us but the rebs would to allow it, the next...

GLC04558.139

To his wife

Continued June 13. Written in pencil while on picket duty "in a hole about four feet square." Describes the loneliness of picket duty and the unexpected orders to pull out which came on the morning of the 13th, possibly to Bermuda Hundreds. Asks...

GLC04558.140

To his wife

Writing from a hospital after bullet hit GWT in the foot, bruising the foot and making him lame. Discusses Grants losses in the campaign and the defenses of Petersburg.

GLC04558.141

To his wife

Written in pencil. Cross written. Coming back from the hospital, finding many of his regiment wounded GWT takes his place in the trenches surrounding Petersburg. Describes life in the trenches, gives the number of wounded and killed for his...

GLC04558.142

To his wife

Written in pencil. Camped less than a mile from the front. Observes that shells are more dangerous in the rear than at the front. Discusses events of past few days; wishes his foot had been wounded so he could get a furlough.

GLC04558.143

To his wife

Faint; written in pencil. Charging a confederate line; advice to his wife about breeding a horse.

GLC04558.144

To his wife

Written in pencil. Expresses disappointment that the fourth was not being "celebrated with more noise for it was rumored yesterday that at daylight this morning all of our batteries would open on Petersburg and the rebel fortifications."

GLC04558.145

To her father George Tillotson

Writes that she can't write very well yet as she has only been practicing for about four weeks. Describes her studies at school and wishes her father were home.

GLC04558.145.01

To his daughter Georgiana Tillotson

Compliments Georgiana on her writing and thanks her for the letter. Encourages her to keep practicing her lessons: "If . . . you wish to improve in any thing, always strive to do what you do do , well."

GLC04558.145.02

To his wife

Evaluates the damage that different types of artillery shells (i.e. mortar and rifled cannon shot) create at various distances from the front line. Mentions troops rotations between lines, and farm business. Gives a current price for cotton cloth...

GLC04558.146

To his wife

Written on U.S. Christian Commission stationery. More discussion of artillery shelling and trenches; predicts a possible evacuation; worries over not having heard from his wife; better rations; illness. Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.147

To his wife

Cross written. Receives letters from home. Wonderful description of night time artillery barrages, comparing them to fireworks. Also writes of tearing down rebel fortifications, rain in the trenches, and news of comrades.Written in a camp near...

GLC04558.148

To his wife

Farm business, mainly the price of wool, leads into a discussion of the value of paper money versus gold. "You will probably notice that as gold goes up (and consequently paper down) that "prices" also "go up" so as just to keep pace with gold, so...

GLC04558.149

To his wife

Advises his wife on how to cope with a long drought and offers some remedies for her illness. Details a letter from Louisa, encloses a recipe for condensed milk with a request for a sample. Still has not been paid. Written in a camp near...

GLC04558.150

To his wife

Written in pencil with portions of pages 1-4 traced in a darker pencil. The explosion and charge on fort along the rebel line by Burnside's 9th Corps was at first rumored to be a great success although GWT noticed Grant "appeared a little troubled."...

GLC04558.151

To his wife

The discovery that rebels had mined some of the Union forts discouraged Burnside's plan to blow up additional rebel forts. Requests that his wife not publish his letters. "Maybe you wouldn't like to think that I had killed any body but I do know...

GLC04558.152

To his wife

Discusses farm business, friends, camp news, and politics. "I may vote for "Old Abe" if on keeps on behaveing [sic] himself, and calls for 300000, or 500000, more occasionally between this and election.

GLC04558.153

To his wife

Warns his wife of a reoccurring dream in which he is taken prisoner and recounts occasions when his dreams have come true. Page 4 is addressed to his daughter "Dollie". Encourages her to improve herself. Tells her of the dangers of camp life...

GLC04558.154.01

To her father George Tillotson

Writes that she has been sick and therefore unable to write. Updates her father on family members and wishes that her father were home.

GLC04558.154.02

To his wife

Thanks his wife for stamps and 50 cents. Assumed the duties of orderly after the previous orderly was mustered out. Describes preferential treatment he received due to his status as an orderly (orderlies were allowed to stay in camp when their...

GLC04558.155

To his wife

A flash flood prevented GWT from joining his regiment at the front and swept away many people's belongings. 40 bodies were found after the flood. One sutler offered a $3000 reward for the return of his cash box. After the regiment returned, their...

GLC04558.156

To his wife

Describes life in the trenches, including their proximity to the rebel line: "Every day our fellow[s] and the rebs are talking, and blackguarding, across, and yesterday one of Co. C's men went out half way and exchanged papers with them." Expects...

GLC04558.157

To his wife

Relieved from the trenches by the 10th Corps. New camp is in wooded area; picket duty becomes fun; corporal arrested for exchanging papers with rebel pickets. Georgiana's illness continue.

GLC04558.158

To his wife

Continued on Sept. 6. Promoted to first sergeant, regiment moves to Fort Powhattan. Expresses his views on blacks. "I think you must have been delightfully entertained by the "darkies" to form so favorable an opinion of them. I declare you are...

GLC04558.159

To his wife

Continued Sept. 10th. Cross written. Describes arrival at the Fort and Garrison duty. Fort is manned by "the 89th New York [GWT's regiment], one company of darkey cavalry, one company of heavy artillery, and a signal station." Relieved to hear...

GLC04558.160

To his wife

With discharge time drawing near, the letter centers on preparations for mustering out. New clothes issued. Col. Fairchilds wants the regiment to go to Elmira to do some recruiting. Relates news about Petersburg: rebel troops steal cattle; large...

GLC04558.161

to his wife

Farm advice; mustering out in one month's time. Politics: predicts Lincoln will win; eludes to soldiers support of Lincoln; Copperheads (democrats) are worse than sessionists. Has a cold. Written at Fort Powhatan .

GLC04558.162

To his wife

Cross written. Receives 10 months pay ($150) in "Green Backs": "four [months] of which I had drawn once before . . . . " Can not use the dollar his wife sent him because it is state money. Fever & ague strike the regiment; drawing clothes...

GLC04558.163

To his wife

Describes transfer from the fort to Chapins Farm and the action there including how he saved an officer. Long list of comrades killed, wounded and missing. Lost $130.

GLC04558.164

To his wife

The mustering out of the 89th New York begins slowly. Officers will be mustered out with their companies. GWT declares he will not reenlist even for a captain's to colonel's commission.

GLC04558.165

To his wife

Begins making out discharge papers for Company H. GWT given command after Lieutenant is taken to hospital. Weather turns cold; camp news.

GLC04558.166

To his wife

Travels to Point of Rocks to make out Muster Out rolls and to the hospital to visit friends. Sent money to wife. Written on U.S. Christian Commission stationery.

GLC04558.167

To his wife

Companies H, C and I are consolidated, GWT is in command. New recruits arriving to replace those mustered out - mostly foreigners.

GLC04558.168

To his wife

Relieved at Chapins Farm by a company of black soldiers; fought fierce battle near the old Fair Oaks battlefield. Written from Atkins Landing, in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

GLC04558.169

To her husband George Tillotson

Asking her husband to accept a discharge instead of a promotion. Wishes he had been able to stay in the safety of Fort Powhattan. [see #166].

GLC04558.170

To her husband George Tillotson

Cross written. Family friends inquire on their son's death, wanting to bring the body home. Copperheads claiming the war will continue four more years if Lincoln is reelected. Farm business. Accompanied by a recipe for dye in a child's hand...

GLC04558.171

To her brother George Tillotson

Incomplete letter to George Tillotson from Mary. Writes encouraging words to her brother, asking him to take care of himself. Family news.

GLC04558.172

To George Tillotson

Inscribed at the top: "Daniel J.S. Lan[d? el?]. Soldier friend of George's who wishes to get a furlough so he may join George in NY.

GLC04558.176

To George Tillotson

From a former regiment mate, informing Tillotson of camp news. Asks to excuse his bad writing and spelling as it is half Dutch.

GLC04558.177

To George Tillotson

Camp news. Draines hopes to get his discharge soon.

GLC04558.178

To George Tillotson

Inquires about the condition of the regiment after a battle. The name of the hospital is inscribed on the back "Chesspeek Hospital, Va. Ward, No. C." Cole was Lieutenant in the 89th NY.

GLC04558.179

To George Tillotson

Still fulfilling his role as an officer, Cole asks GWT to keep watch over the regiment and to tell them to keep their heads down. Sends stamps. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC04558.180

To George Tillotson

Conducting camp business: sending out receipt for clothes received at Fort Powhattan; amount of ordinance used in battle; paper work. Expects to be sent home. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC04558.181