Summer 2025 PD for K–12 teachers: Registration is now open!
General Order No. 2
27 April 1861
Orders on how the men will spend their leisure time and how they should bathe so that they are ready to march to the city for divine services at city hall. Written in Camp Union
GLC02745.053
Gaye, John H., fl. 1861
Duplicate of GLC02745.053. Written in Camp Union
GLC02745.054
General Order unumbered
3 May 1861
Gen. Fellows will continue as officer in charge and Capt. Sargent will be officer of the day. All the men are ordered to bathe themselves thoroughly. Written in Camp Union
GLC02745.062
to Mother and Sister Elmira
20 March 1863
Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863
Gunboats and troops are now operating against Port Hudson. Everyday he is gaining strength but his blood is now out of order and he caught lice while in the hospital. He refers to Newell as one of his best earthly friends.
GLC02751.27
Order for supplies
1711
Collins, John, fl. 1711-1721
List of items such as soap and tobacca needed to supply Collins' men.
GLC03107.00895
[U.S. Army razor]
circa 1868
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
U.S. Army razor, engraved "U. S. Grant," with White House provenance.
GLC08394
The Soldier's Camp Companion
1861-1865
S.C. Rickards and Company, fl. 1861-1865
Title continues: "Containing the most important information in relation to the Soldiers' Duty, Pay, Rations, Allowances, County (in money and Land), how to apply for it, who is entitled to it, &c. Compiled from the late U S Laws, with Advices and...
GLC08442.06
A wagoner's shanty
1876
Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895
Marked "Plate 4." Contains 3 separate images. Upper left image is titled "A wagoner's shanty," and shows a winter camp of a wagoner. The wagoner is chopping a log in front of his log cabin, which has an overhang of crossed branches and brush. At the...
GLC08653.03
to Owen Horsfall
1909/10/06
Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910
His investment in the "dredger machine" is not going as planned. The heating plant was denied by "the powers that be in Washington" for financial reasons. He received drawing supplies and will use them to continue his correspondence studies. He is...
GLC05245.50
to mother
November 10, 1864
Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865
He got his mother's letter this evening. He is sorry to hear of his brother's injury but glad to hear he is getting better. Also heard that "Pa" had to go to Concord to court, and wants to know why he did that. He got the shirt, socks, and gloves two...
GLC00653.22.02
to Parents
20 March 1864
Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892
Just returned home from chapel. Two men were baptized today. One was Sergeant John W. Stockwell. "If a man can be a Christian in this army he can be one anywhere." Went down to Brandy Station this morning, and needed a pass signed by a company leader...
GLC09355.054
To his wife
9 December 1861
Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918
"Last night was my first experience in a tent we had to set up our tents last night after dark and had no straw so we had to sleep on the ground[.]" Mentions inspecting himself for lice. Written on patriotic stationery.
GLC04558.002
[Camp Stoneman, Giesboro Point, MD, near Washington D.C.]
circa 1861-1865
Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882
A print of a photograph of a serious of long, thin buildings arranged in a row. The cavalry depots were necessary to house and train the mounts for the Union armies. A few tents and clothes drying on a clothes line can be seen in the foreground in...
GLC05111.01.0133
to Dr. and Mrs. A.W. Hopkins
14 October 1918
Hopkins, Lawrence L., fl. 1918-1919
Writes to his parents apologizing for not having written. Encloses a Christmas package permit (not included) and a reminder of what he would like sent. Replies to local news sent from home. Reports the outbreak of lice (cooties) in his camp....
GLC07810.031
to Mrs. A.W. Hopkins
22 December 1918
Writes to his mother about his daily activities. Reports that he has not recieved any mail in over a week. Says that he has passed on his father's remedy for lice to his company.
GLC07810.038
January 20, 1919
Writes to his mother about his lack of letter-writing opportunities. Describes the local weather conditions. Wishes he could draw so he could send pictures of his ramshackle temporary housing. Includes a few anecdotes surrounding the lice problem...
GLC07810.042
to Helen Lyons
9 April 1919
Lyons, Curtis Blair, 1894-1968
Writes to his wife about the possibility of his returning home in a few weeks. Fears that his daughter will not recognize him when he returns. Mentions taking classes on agriculture and machination. Discusses the slow and intermittent mail service...
GLC07810.072
27 March 1864
Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902
He has sent a sample of his hair. Sadly he had to have his mustache cut off. If Burnsides' expedition does well, all the New England batteries will go with him.
GLC02161.116
to Norman R. Dewey
29 November 1861
He got to occupy the outpost, a dangerous position. But he liked it. He received the box filled with raspberry jam, a handkerchief and towels. Written at Camp Rogers.
GLC02161.010
to William Knox
1775
Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779
Brief note pertaining to items Waldo had obtained or attempted to obtain for Knox. Closes with "As I was in the Beginning so I now am and ever shall be."
GLC02437.00229
[Receipt for provisions]
February 1778
Richardson, James, fl. 1778-1779
Receipt to James Richardson, and signed by him. Lists provisions received by Knox during the month of February. Indicates that Knox received bread, flour, beef, pork, rice, soap, and rum. Possibly written from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; location...
GLC02437.00694
to Berdille
17 September 1861
Stone, E. Wyman, fl. 1861-1865
He describes his new quarters which sound rather luxurious. There is even a bath house which he plans to to take advantage of.
GLC02182.18
to Estelle Spero
26 April 1943
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond describes the experience of having been train quartermaster for the duration of the journey from Louisiana. He then discusses the pleasure of sleeping in a bed and showering after six weeks in a tent.
GLC09120.222
8 November 1943
Diamond complains about the difficulties of laundering clothes in the jungle.
GLC09120.293
16 November 1943
Diamond describes an evening of "revelry and ribald entertainment" that he had enjoyed the night before. Sidney tells Estelle that they are fairly well set up now on the island, having even put together their own shower, providing Estelle with an...
GLC09120.294
9 June 1944
Diamond writes that he intends to break up the monotony of the day by getting a haircut, and going to an "artist" to have a picture of Estelle copied together with a portrait of himself, "just so we can see what we look like together…" Sidney...
GLC09120.432
19 September 1944
Diamond comments on the fact that Estelle's letter paper smells of her powder. He writes that he had attended Rosh Hashanah services that morning.
GLC09120.506
10 November 1944
Diamond writes that the smell of Estelle's "hair, powder" is "causing a glow within". Written on an unknown island in the South Pacific
GLC09120.545
January 19, 1945
Diamond writes, "In combat again - a lot to say but - A. very tired - B. very very dirty - C. Busy, Busy as all hell - "
GLC09120.558
to Eleanor Hammond
2 March 1865
Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865
All are healthy. Received his 37th letter from her last night. "Sorry" that the letter contained $2 in greenbacks, because he had been sending money to her. Glad to hear she is in good health. Has rained all day very hard. He and Fayette have been...
GLC09273.31
to parents
29 July 1863
Went and picked some berries for dinner on Sunday night. Regiment was then ordered to the top of a nearby hill to set up an encampment. "It now looks as though we shall have a good rest." Thinks they will stay there until the corps can be filled out...
GLC09355.013
16 August 1863
This letter came with a note saying it was dated 1863/08/16 but came in an envelope from 1863/10/07. Most of the soldiers are at church, so he has time to write. Very quiet around the fort today. Did not go to church because he did not have his...
GLC09355.016
January 31, 1864
Has finished all of his Sunday work and now is able to write. Describes his normal daily chores: "As soon as we get our breakfast we commence to fix up generally. First - take down the gun and rub it up and clean it. Next follow suit with the bayonet...
GLC09355.044
17 March 1864
He is sorry to hear of his mother's illness. He sent his citizen's suit home yesterday. He will have his hair cut soon.
GLC02161.115
to Miss (Kitty)
1 November 1863
Morse, Justus, fl. 1861-1864
He notes that she is making a gift for him and could have sent it up with his father who came to visit him. He says he has gotten fatter since she last saw him. He would like her to send a few bushels of apples.
GLC02170.31
to: sister.
1863/01/01
Neafie, Theodore F., fl. 1861-1877
Describes his need of a proper wash, along with his lack of money which causes him to request that she send some more. Written in a camp near Falmouth.
GLC07164.40
to Eliza Anne Mackay
4 October 1830
MacKay, John, 1805-1849
Mentions an upcoming camp meeting in Georgia and sending money to his tailor. Discusses protecting Cherokee lands from white intruders, mentioning the capture of "200 gold diggers." In reference to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, he speculates that...
GLC07376
to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister
8 January 1864
Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917
Writes that the weather is very cold and has been as low as nineteen degrees below zero. Complains of the lack of fire wood provided for the soldiers. Reports that Major [Everell Fletcher] Dutton of Sycamore, Illinois has returned to the regiment....
GLC07460.068
to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
30 June 1864
Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He reports that he is in good health and still in the same location. He writes that his regiment has been relieved from the front lines and are now in the third line. He has washed his clothes and...
GLC07460.084
Valley Forge
1861-1877
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
One engraving entitled "Valley Forge" circa 1861-1877. Depicts the harsh conditions experienced by the American Continental Army soliders stationed at the Valley Forge Military camp in Pennsylvania over the winter of 1777-1778. Published by the...
GLC08878.0060
to home friends
6 January 1863
Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863
Friends have asked for boxes from home, and now wants to do the same. Asks to have the box ready as quickly as possible, within a day of the delivery of this letter if possible. Says to speak to Max Cadwell to see when he sent his box down. If they...
GLC08913.06
Circa. May 1942
Apologizes for brevity of letter, explaining that he has a lecture on the Blitzkrieg tactics of the Germans that evening. Outlines the day's events which consisted of a motion picture on personal health and a lecture on chemical warfare. Describes...
GLC09120.022
12 August 1942
Diamond describes what his day has consisted of - a film on bayonet use, a film on how to disarm armed men, and another one on sex hygiene.
GLC09120.087
September 1942
Diamond outlines his day for Estelle - watching a series of films on defense against mechanized war agents, sitting through a lecture on sex hygiene, participating in a dismounted foot drill, two hours of instruction in basic signal communication...
GLC09120.104
Letter written while in a program and instruction class. Diamond gives Estelle a definition of the terms lecture, military training, policies, sanitation, scouting and patrolling and field fortifications. He also informs her that he has received...
GLC09120.113
24 October 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received a demerit for having had dirty finger nails. He then describes to Estelle the experience of showering in the Army. Sidney tells Estelle that he has spent the morning listening to the Yiddish Shtunda...
GLC09120.122
[Account of provisions and stores issued to Major General Knox's family]
May 1783
Forsyth, James, fl. 1783
Lists provisions by weight. Includes items such as flour, beef, fish, soap, rum and salt.
GLC02437.02141
[Order to deliver soap for Knox's family]
11 May 1783
Lillie, John, 1755-1801
Order issued to Mr. Forsyth the commissary of issues by Lillie as an aide-de-camp to an unknown officer asking that four pounds of soap be delivered for the use of Knox's family.
GLC02437.02124
[Army rations issued to Captain Vincent and his followers]
23 July 1783
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Major Shaw, an aide-de-camp to General Knox, ordered James Forsyth the Commissary of West Point to issue Captain Vincent and his "companions, friendly indians" 3 pints of rum "to drink the health of Congress." Also orders 3 pounds of soap to be given...
GLC02437.02321
[Articles issued by West Point commissary]
July 1783
List of articles received from James Forsyth as the Commissary of West Point. Compiled by Major Shaw as an aide-de-camp to General Knox. List includes: 588 pounds flour, 12 pounds bread, 318 pounds beef, 36 pounds soap, 1 quart of spirits, 19 1/2...
GLC02437.02354
Showing results 101 - 150