Collection Search

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Expresses his joy in hearing about the copperheads getting drafted. Comments about the wages being less when one is drafted versus volunteering. Notes he would like to see "some of them Baby Boy's" get drafted from...

GLC03523.52.70

to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Blue Springs. Reports a couple of cases of smallpox in camp. Comments on the copperheads and how he would have liked to confront them while on furlough back home. Discusses new recruits in camp. The letter has a...

GLC03523.52.52

to his friends

Writes to his friends. Describes being in some hard fighting. Writes, "the shells came poring in like Hail stone only had more affect than a hail stone would have…" Reports driving the enemy back and capturing their artillery. Complains about the...

GLC03523.52.54

to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are...

GLC03523.52.56

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Informs him he received the memorandum book, paper, envelopes, and stamps. Discusses the hot weather. Notes they have plenty of ice water, lemonade, and a sutler who supplies almost everything. Reports they are preparing for...

GLC03523.52.57

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has...

GLC03523.52.58

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Writes his regiment was ordered to the front last night but nothing happened. Describes their lieutenant getting shot in the face. Reports his old colonel is back in...

GLC03523.52.59

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports it is very hot and many men are sick. Comments his regiment was relieved from the front lines and they are now camped out in an open field without any shade. Complains about not having any luxuries and every...

GLC03523.52.60

to his friends

Writes to his friends. Reports some artillery firing and little picket firing. Discusses what his life would be like if he never enlisted. Writes, "we live to much on the heathen style Here have not much respect for each other especialy [sic] the...

GLC03523.52.61

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Expresses his loneliness and boredom with the army. Reports on the fighting in Petersburg, Virginia. Describes soldiering and what a waste war is. Writes, "It is just calling young men from home and Bringing them...

GLC03523.52.63

to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments he has been sick but is now doing better. Reports it is quiet in camp and there has not been a lot of action for the last couple of weeks. Writes of being homesick. Notes he only weighs 120 pounds.

GLC03523.52.64

to Bill Kessler

Writes to his cousin. Provides direction to California. Explains he cannot join him because of his job. Complains about his new stepmother. Writes, "thare never was a bigger fool than my father when he married that girl whenever thare is any work...

GLC03523.52.66

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. States it is quiet in camp but they are under marching orders. Describes being in the masters department where he cooks for six and has first rate living. Discusses the possibility of his father visiting him this...

GLC03523.52.67

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg...

GLC03523.52.68

to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on...

GLC03523.52.71

to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders today. Mentions they are expecting an attack somewhere along their lines. Comments the rebels tried charging one of their forts three times but was repulsed every time....

GLC03523.52.72

to A. P Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Complains about enlisting in the army and what a mistake it was. Writes, "I will loose the Best part of my life By staying in this Hellish place of Discontent…" Discusses the war and how he does not believe it will...

GLC03523.52.73

Lieut. in 75th Illinois Vols. [word processed inventory available]

Henry has been in one fight and it was a victory though 42 men were killed and 161 wounded in his regiment. He expects another fight this afternoon. The Confederates left without burying their dead and the men can barely walk around camp "at night...

GLC03858.02.01

to sister

It is difficult to find water on march as the streams have all dried up; the river they are camped by is the first running water he has seen since they crossed the Ohio. He read a letter from his father to John and found it most encouraging. The...

GLC03858.02.02

to sister

Henry has been on the march since he last wrote and expects to be for some time to come. There are about 40,000 troops there and more are always arriving. They killed fourteen men in a skirmish with Morgan's Cavalry.

GLC03858.02.03

to sister

He estimates that two-thirds of the company is sick though he boasts that "since I joined the army I have had better health [than] I ever had before." The Cavalry had a skirmish with the Confederates and the Union forces took 2,00 head of cattle...

GLC03858.02.04

to Sophia Parrot

Henry's regiment marched through Nashville to where they are now camped. He appreciates the letters he has received; they are "worth more than a hundred dollars away down here in rebeldom." A rail broke under a train bound for Louisville and three...

GLC03858.02.05

to Maggie Parrot

His General, P. Sidney Post, led them in Battalion Drill today. A Lieutenant Colonel from his regiment was taken prisoner while doing reconnaissance. "Secesh Cavalry are seen every day and occasional[l]y some are brought into camp." He mistook a...

GLC03858.02.06

to sister

Henry wishes to know how the his family at home is doing and if his father has sold the farm. He will send his father a suit of clothes and a revolver as soon as possible.

GLC03858.02.07

to Sophia Parrott

All the rain has made the roads very muddy and nearly impassable. He expects to paid soon. He was playing ball with the other men but paused to write.

GLC03858.02.08