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Draft copy of the official report of the 2nd Division

Draft copy of the official report of the 2nd Division, XXIII Corp's operations during Sherman's 1864 Atlanta Campaign, Decateur, GA., 10 September 1864.

GLC08107

General Orders # 18

General orders #18, announcing terms of his surrender to Sherman: "sparing the blood of this gallant army and saving our country from further devastation": clerical copy, made in the field, signed by WD Gale

GLC08108

to his wife Emma and his brother

Marching with Sherman through Georgia: 17 letters of a staff officer, to his wife Emma and his brother. With Carte de visite, two printed general field orders, and a printed history of the 104 Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

GLC08109

to Henry W. Slocum

"We three will go down to history as the leaders of 'The March to the Sea'."
Requesting photos of Slocum and Howard

GLC08113.02

to Henry W. Slocum

Enclosing requested photograph (with photo). "Though the main honor of the work crowns our chief, yet in helpful planning & executing, our part will not be forgotten."

GLC08113.04

[Letters belonging to Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, 1876-1880][Decimalized .01-.22]

Collection of letters belonging to Hugh Judson Kilpatrick dated 1876-1880. Consists of 21 items sent primarily to Luisa Kilpatrick and William T. Sherman. Recounts events of the campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea and other Civil War historical...

GLC08133

to Richard W. Hutson

Writes to his father that years of war have past and still no peace. His brother has told him of the military situation on the coast and he thinks they might have to give up some low country to the Union. Reports that General William T. Sherman...

GLC08165.66

to Richard W. Hutson

Hutson is "sad to hear about the breaking up of our home & the giving up of our country" in South Carolina. His family has moved to Barnwell, South Carolina, but he advises them to move again if the union advances further. Comments that Kenshaw's...

GLC08165.68

to Richard W. Hutson

Discusses suffering in the south during the Civil War. He is getting along well in the army. He heard about the occupation of Orangeburg, South Carolina, but took longer to find out whether or not their family had left. Discusses correspondence...

GLC08165.69

Marching Through Georgia.

Famous anthem celebrating Sherman's 1864 march from Atlanta to Savannah. Publisher unknown.

GLC08276

[Collection of 2 items celebrating Sherman's March to the Sea.]

GLC08277

Sherman's March to the Sea.

Anthem celebrating Sherman's 1864 march from Georgia to Savannah, published by E. Nason & Co.

GLC08277.01

to Mary

Tate writes that he hopes Stephens might make a compromise to "stop the war tho I am not willing to compromise on any terms I want them to contend for our independence to the last." He adds later, "If we are whipt it wil not be the fault of the...

GLC02082.63

to Sarah Wood

Written from Savannah, Georgia to his wife. Describes the march through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah, after receiving orders from General Judson Kilpatrick, and being harassed by guerrilla fighters. Describes the destruction in good detail: "All...

GLC02176.24

to Sarah Wood

Written from Mt. Olive, North Carolina to his wife. Describes again the differences in climate between Ohio and North Carolina. Comments on the state of the Confederate cause, saying "Old Lee has got out of Richmond and a going round like a roaring...

GLC02176.26

to Sarah Wood

Written from Concord, North Carolina to his wife. Describes the various decorations the men had set up to beautify their camp, as well as the local people's fascination with the decorations and men Begins to make plans for the future, asking his wife...

GLC02176.27

to Sarah Wood

Written from Savannah, Georgia to his wife. Predicts they are "preparing for another grand march the Lord only knows what the result will be, we hope the success will crown our effort." Mentions that the rest of his regiment that had been left behind...

GLC02176.25

[Collection of 5 letters written during Sherman's March to the Sea] [Decimalized .01- .05]

Five letters written during Sherman's March to the Sea and the subsequent pursuit of the Confederates up into North Carolina until the end of the war. Including: 1-1-1865, from Savannah, Georgia: "We entered this City Dec. 21st the rebels having...

GLC09271

to Sister

very faded.

"We entered this City Dec. 21st the rebels having evacuated it the night before, they left all of their siege guns...[and] crossed over into South Carolina. Our men have taken out the Torpedoes in the River & now our steamers &...

GLC09271.01

to Sister

confident that the Union is gaining in numbers and will soon be too much for General Lee.

GLC09271.02

to Sister

writes he is enjoying good health and having an easy time but Sgt. Sayso was recently taken prisoner leaving him as the only Sgt. left in the company.

GLC09271.03

to Sister and Brother

tomorrow they will start marching home.

GLC09271.04

[Collection of Union private John W. Boston] [Decimalized .01- .52]

52 articulate letters of Union Pvt. John W. Boston, Company A, 81st Ohio Volunteers, between October 1862 and July 1865. Describes fighting in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign at Corinth and Resaca; also describes the March to the Sea. "[Camp Limy 10/13/62...

GLC09315

to wife and children

writes that he is in good health and is sending 20 dollars home. believes they will soon be victorious

GLC09315.01

to wife and children

very faded. would like to come home once more before he goes to Dixie. promises to do his duty as a soldier.

GLC09315.02

to wife and children

front page torn. writes that he is sending Mary a locket and will be sending the boys something as well. tells the story of an orderly who shot a captain in another company.

GLC09315.03

to wife and children

is afraid his wife will have changed so much by the time he arrives home that he will not know her. asks her to send him a good pair of boots, also requests sponge cake and tobacco.

GLC09315.04

to wife and children

has come down with a cold. says he is in a dangerous place. says the only women he sees are "nigger wenches, and I hate them, every once and a while I see a white woman..." would like to be with her and the children.

GLC09315.05

to wife and children

writes they have to survive on half rations.

GLC09315.06

to wife and children

writes that the regiment will be reorganized ina week. the new recruits will have to stay for the full term of enlistment. but they are confident the war will end before the term is up.

GLC09315.07

to wife and children

sorry to hear that Mary (his daughter) was sick but hopes she is better now. refers to old friends and asks his wife to tell them he remembers them well and ask how they are getting along.

GLC09315.08

to wife and children

writing from the hospital where he is helping out. many are afflicted with the measles. prefers working in the hospital to picket duty.

GLC09315.09

to wife and children

in very good spirits because he is eating very good food lately. hopes his wife is getting fat. doesn't know when he'll get paid, but when he does, he'll send some money home.

GLC09315.10

to wife and children

writes that while he has some health complaints like his side and his throat, he doesn't let it get him down because he has a duty to fulfill. talks about witnessing the death of a fellow soldier who got sick.

GLC09315.11

to wife and children

informs her that officers claim they will all be home in five months. fears that someone will ravish his wife while he is away, asks if she received the money he sent.

GLC09315.12

to wife

writes that he got paid and he will send her 30 dollars and if it gets to her safe he will send another 20 dollars.

GLC09315.13

to wife

glad that the children are doing well and hopes she will stay well. sent William a watch.

GLC09315.14

to wife

describes his sleeping arrangements and plans for a march coming up. the surgeon has exempted those with a disability.

GLC09315.15

to father

hopes the day day he gets to see his wife and children is not far off. writes that he despises young men that have chosen not to fight, for choosing not to save their country from destruction is a sin.

GLC09315.16

to wife

hopes they can see each others' faces again. thinks their marching may be over however, as he thinks they will stay where they are until the end. he is in good quarters and they have had nice weather for three months.

GLC09315.17

to wife

says his family is very dear to him but so is the country. writes they are in the best camp they've ever had so far. certain that the Rebels will die a traitors' death

GLC09315.18

to wife

heard that four men will get a furlough of 30 days. next time he will find out if he gets one. promises to bring something for everyone when he comes.

GLC09315.19

to wife

writes that they pay him very late and he is still owed checks from four months ago. can not write as much as he wants because of the lack of money. believes the Rebel army is completely demoralized.

GLC09315.20

to wife

discusses the possibility of a furlough. if they move and get settled again they will give out furloughs, but if they don't they may not grant furloughs for a while. tells her not to get discouraged and trust in the Lord.

GLC09315.21

to wife

received two months pay and will send her 16 dollars. tells her to be encouraged by the election of Brough.

GLC09315.22

to wife

since he only has two months pay, cannot give her very much this time. writes that their men captured four rebels a few days ago. Written in camp at Pulaski

GLC09315.23

to wife

has pain in his breast but is doing a great deal better. was going to send her five dollars but forgot, will send it this time. thinks it will be a good winter. Written in camp at Pulaski

GLC09315.24

to wife

describes camp life in Tennesee.

GLC09315.25

to wife

is currently on a regular detail, chopping wood for the mill. willl be reading the old letters he has received from her. would rather throw away a shirt than one of her letters.

GLC09315.26

to wife

talks about the number of soldiers deserting and how it is becoming a problem. at least 10-25 desert everyday.

GLC09315.27

to wife

asks about Henry Elliot and why he has not received any letters from him lately. writes he can't be certain of when he will see her again but if he is not killed in battle by the end of August. Written in camp at Pulaski

GLC09315.28

to wife

notes the cost of sending her letters. makes it clear that he wants her to keep them all so that they have some value in the end.

GLC09315.29

to wife

sorry to hear that his mother is sick. treasures her letters. tells the children to be good.

GLC09315.30

to wife

is sending her seven dollars. will also send the kids a quarter each. glad to hear that she has friends in town. that way she doesn't fret over him so much.

GLC09315.31

to wife

advises her to stay in town rather than the country. thanks her for the braid of her hair she sent him. promises to send her something as well.

GLC09315.32

to wife

is making a ring out of a piece of a Rebel's sword to send to William. suspects they will move again soon but cannot tell when or where.

GLC09315.33

to wife

was in the hospital with a cough, but tells her not to worry, he is not seriously ill. he is helping out as a nurse to those that are worse off.

GLC09315.34

to wife

is beginning to get better. has had a cough for nearly a year, so he is hoping to get rid of it for good.

GLC09315.35

to wife

the company has received orders to move again. they will most likely move back to Pulaski. tells her to have courage and he could be home in four months.

GLC09315.36

to wife

reports that they got some snow. writes a separate note to his children in which he assures them he will be home in about five months.

GLC09315.37

to wife

got a letter from Henry Elliot telling him his wife asked him for money because she is broke. he asked her father to send her some money.

GLC09315.38

to wife

someone told her son that a relative's husband had died. wishes he could offer condolences. Colonel reinforced his belief that he will be home in five months.

GLC09315.39

to children and wife

tells his sons to go to school. back appears to be intended for wife. describes the part of the country's he's in and compares it to Putnam County

GLC09315.40

to husband (John Boston)

trying to figure out where they will live. has an idea to sell their land and buy some property elsewhere. wants to see him so bad.

GLC09315.41

to wife

too faded to read.

GLC09315.42

to wife

assuring her that he is still alive and well. very faded.

GLC09315.43

to wife

too faded to read.

GLC09315.44

to wife

the Rebels are giving them trouble but they captured 400 prisoners and cannons and wagons.does not think it will be long before they come home.

GLC09315.45

to wife

very concerned because he has not received any mail from her in a while. wants to know if she received the money he sent.

GLC09315.46

to wife

has not received any mail from her in 40 days. they have orders to march on tomorrow morning.

GLC09315.47

to wife

very faded, possible water damage.

GLC09315.48

to wife

writes that the officers are being very mean with them and they haven't even received their pay. still believes it will not be long until he is home though.

GLC09315.52

[Diary of Luther Martin Hess]

Diary of soldier in 93rd Illinois Infantry, Co. G. Took part in Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta campaigns, and Sherman's "March to the Sea." Vivid writing throughout, some daily, some retrospectively. Confronted with the prospect of death during the...

GLC09353

Gen. W.F. Barry [&] Gen. W.T. Sherman Before Atlanta

Image of Generals William Farquhar Barry and William Tecumseh Sherman and their staff gathered around an artillery piece at Federal Fort No. 7 near Atlanta, Georgia. The background is blurred and composed of rolling, empty fields. According to the...

GLC07067

Military Map Showing the Marches of the United States Forces Under Command of Maj. Genl. W.T. Sherman, U.S.A. During the Years 1863, 1864, 1865

Black and white map ranging from Missouri to Maryland in the north and Louisiana to Georgia in the south. Sherman's routes are outlined in red, blue, green, yellow and brown. Compiled according to Sherman's order by Brevet Major W.L.B Jenney, and...

GLC07086.01

to his parents, brother-in-law and sister

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that one of his teeth has decayed because of the hard tack and tough beef he has been eating. Part of Atlanta, Georgia has been occupied by the Union Army thanks to General William T. Sherman's...

GLC07460.096

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

Written near the Chattahoochee Bridge in Georgia. The mail has been delayed by four or five days because of the army's movements. He does not think the army will stay long at its present location and he has heard that the limit of their stay in the...

GLC07460.106

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

Writes that he is alright and has survived the march. General William T. Sherman's army is in front of Savannah, Georgia. The army has captured Fort McAllister at the mouth of the Ogeechee River. This allows the Union forces to have communication...

GLC07460.108

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

Writes that the mail is becoming somewhat regular as more has come in today and is being sent out as well. He is happy to report that their camp situation has improved from when he last wrote. The regiment has advanced into the trenches around...

GLC07460.109

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

Writes about those who have died during the past year and the sacrifice they made for their country. General William T. Sherman reviewed the 20th Corps. today. General Ulysses Grant was supposed to review the men as well but he failed to show up. A...

GLC07460.110

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

It is almost impossible to receive or sent out any mail, the last letter he received from home was from 25 December. They are about 23 miles from Savannah, Georgia. It has been raining so hard for the past few days that it was nearly impossible to...

GLC07460.111

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

Writes that he is not in camp and is feeling much better. His diarrhea has gone away thanks to some of the berries he ate. The weather has been very bad, there is a lot of mud which will prevent the army from moving very far. The Union scouts found...

GLC07460.112

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

Writes that he and most of the men of the company are doing well. The wood they have been using for their fire turns everything black including their faces. They are camped about 25 [18 miles from Hardeeville, South Carolina to another site then...

GLC07460.113

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

The Union 14th Corps. captured Fayetteville, North Carolina yesterday. They are now encamped there along with the 20th, 15th, and 17th Corps. On 2 February his regiment had a "brisk" skirmish with Confederates near Lawtonville, South Carolina. They...

GLC07460.114

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

Writes that he is doing well and that the regiment is starting to receive a regular mail service. Since leaving Fayetteville, North Carolina there have been some hard fights. On 16 March their division and the First Division of the Corps. bore the...

GLC07460.115

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

Writes that he is very grateful for everyone at home for caring about him and worrying about his safety while he is at war. He feels bad for them because the letters they receive from him take so long to arrive so they are usually "in the dark" about...

GLC07460.117

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

Writes that it takes a long time for the letters to arrive at camp and to be sent out. Thinks that General William T. Sherman is unwilling to give up his line of communication. He does not think the army could survive in North Carolina in the summer...

GLC07460.118

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

Writes that his health is very good and mail leaves Raleigh, North Carolina for Goldsboro, North Carolina by rail. They have received the great news that Richmond, Virginia has been captured along with General Robert E. Lee's army. The camp cheered...

GLC07460.119

[Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On...

GLC08914

[partial receipt for William H. Ryphenburgh]

Fragment, partial receipt for William H. Ryphenburgh [sic].

GLC08914.037

to Daniel H. Hill

Reports from his scouts on the enemy's movements during Sherman's Carolina Campaign. Reports enemy's movement should be difficult because the "country was overflowed from the river, & the swamps so full as to be of very difficult passage." Less...

GLC08972

[Union Prisoner of War autograph album]

Contains over 900 prisoner of war officer signatures and their ranks. Ornate hand drawn title page, "Autographs of U. S. Officers, Prisoners of War confined at Richmond, Virginia, Macon, Georgia - Savannah Georgia - Charleston, South Carolina -...

GLC02262

to Sarah Ogden

Writes that the soldiers are celebrating Washington's Birthday with continual cannon fire. Says he just received news that Charleston, South Carolina is "in the possession of our [Union] forces." Sherman is marching for North Carolina and several of...

GLC06559.059

[Collection of Laurens W. Wolcott] [Decimalized .01- .38]

Wolcott served as Lieutenant in the 52nd Illinois Infantry, D Company. He served with General Sherman on his march to the sea & in the Battle of Atlanta. The collection includes a General Order with battle map on verso, a coat of arms, an...

GLC00653.11

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 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

Diary and Photograph of Benjamin F. Thomas [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01016