Collection Search

to my dear wife

He forgives her for writing "that letter," but does not say what was in the letter. He has got four months pay now besides the bounty money at his disposal.

GLC02740.35

to my dear wife

He is in site of the Rebels' picket line. They plan to surround them and starve them. They can't last much longer. He thinks he will come out all right.

GLC02740.36

to my dear wife

He describes a battle in which the Rebels lost 400 people.

GLC02740.37

to my dear wife

The Rebels lost 3,000 soldiers recently.He describes their efforts to take care of the dying and wounded.

GLC02740.38

to my dear wife

He warns her not to expect him home in a few months. It could be the rest of the year. He guesses that every day since they left they have marched about 300 miles.

GLC02740.39

to my dear wife

He has been feeling sick lately. He reassures her that he won't be reenlisting. He tells her to keep up the courage, for he will be coming home soon.

GLC02740.40

to my dear wife

He talks of wanting to come home. He speculates on when they may begin discharging soldiers. He also mentions seeing all the wounded from the last battle and how devastating it was.

GLC02740.41

to my dear wife

He has a bad cough. He plans to send her a picture of gallups island and city point. He will soon witness a man getting shot. They plan to shoot him so that he falls into the coffin. He worries his heart will get hardened to such sights.

GLC02740.46

to my dear wife

His cough is getting better. He talks of wanting to go home and the nice times they will have.

GLC02740.47

to my dear wife

They are going to be sent to Maine as sharpshooters since they cannot be put anywhere else in the United States. He sees a lot of Rebels coming in lately and describes them as good-looking, smart men.

GLC02740.48

to my dear wife

There is a heavy battle going on nearby. They, on the other hand, are still having good times. They do not have their rifles yet. He reminds Lizzie that she is always in his prayers.

GLC02740.49

to Unknown

The author encloses a picture the boys gave to him. The picture is unidentified but is most likely Wilmot Thompson. He is shown with the picture of a car in the background.

GLC02740.50

to my dear wife

He has not felt well for a while. He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He writes that he always thinks of the friendship they share.

GLC02740.52

to Unknown

Partial letter later used for scratch paper: He is very glad someone wrote to him and asks that his respects be given to Miss Whiting.

GLC02740.53

to Lizzie

He is missing her very badly and says he has taken a picture of her with him.

GLC02740.54

"War Letter--From Father"

No other words, appears to be scrap paper.

GLC02740.64

to Mother

He gives her instructions on how to divide his property in case he doesn't return.

GLC02743.01

to Mother

He writes he is on one of the finest steamers.

GLC02743.02

to Mother

They have orders to sail this morning. He promises to write as soon as they arrive somewhere. He describes a small beach in the distance. He mentions Aunt Elisabeth.

GLC02743.03

to Mother

They might be going to Texas and if so, good times are in store. They have plently of provisions , enough to last six months. He is in great health.

GLC02743.04

to Mother

They are now off the Tortugas. They got to see Fort Tyler. The trip has been pleasant. He says he has never enjoyed a trip so much in his life. There is no fighting in the near future.

GLC02743.05

to Mother

At one point they went off on an alligator hunt and had a great time. He mentions another story concerning a horse but the details are illegible.

GLC02743.06

to Mother

They are still on the desert island, en route to New Orleans. He mentions McClellan.

GLC02743.07

to Mother

They are now on the Mississippi River. The trip was, for the most part, uneventful but the night was rather rough and uncomfortable.

GLC02743.08

to Mother

They have orders to move somewhere else but have not gone anywhere else. He has a cousin that works for Adams Express and he will make sure "N" is forwarded. He was in a sugar mill the other day and got to see the whole process of making sugar and...

GLC02743.09