Collection Search

to Eliza Jane Bope

Conrad Bope writes to his sister. Comments it is the New Year and they have nothing to do. Brother John is well and in his tent as he writes. Reports he was on picket duty and once the bridge is rebuilt over the Green River, they will march to...

GLC03523.03.04

to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp in Battle Creek. Reports they are waiting for more men to arrive and help guard the railroad. Informs him that a Lieutenant from the Rebel army deserted and stated the Confederate force in Chattanooga is 80,000...

GLC03523.03.09

to Abby Goold

Writes to his mother about all the letters he has recently received, including one from her, Aunt Jane, and Nellie. Describes his duties on provost guard and the differences between being on guard and in the regiments. Tells her of difficulties...

GLC03523.05.03

to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from his barracks in Norwich, New York. Year not indicated, but inferred from research and context. Appears to be written in the beginning of his military service as it is quite general in nature. He writes about the...

GLC03523.06.01

to Sephronia Fairchild [incomplete]

Fairchild writes to his wife from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. It appears to be an incomplete letter as there is no signature and the text ends abruptly. Gives a history of his troops movements to date. Complains about the food and blames...

GLC03523.06.03

to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point Hospital, City Point, Virginia. Discusses helping to care for the wounded soldiers after a brief illness: "...I am very grateful that I was afflicted in that way. I think it is a great deal better than to...

GLC03523.06.05

to Angeline Henry

Henry writes to his sister from Camp Griffin. Discusses illness among men, medical care, and the quality of the bread. Mentions a visit by Union General George McClellan and his comment "...that our reg was the best looking in the Division."

GLC03523.07.07

to Sophia Henry

In a letter to his mother, Henry discusses in detail the cost of food. Reports sending money to them and complains about backpay. States they are camped on a large field with calvary and artillery within view of the rebel's picket. Mentions killed...

GLC03523.07.11

to Angeline Henry

Henry writes to his sister from the U.S. General Hospital in Brattleboro. Complains the War Department has issued an order canceling all furloughs and he will not be coming home. Reports that his regiment has gone back to the front and is eight miles...

GLC03523.07.20

to Angeline Henry

Henry writes to his sister from Fort Willard, Virginia. Reports he has not been paid yet. Refers to soldiers going home because their time is up. Informs her that he drills on the big guns for heavy artillery. Discusses eating corn, peaches, and...

GLC03523.07.28

to Angeline Henry

Henry writes to his sister from a fort in Virginia. Name of fort is illegible. Expresses concern about his father's sprained ankle. States that he does expect to get paid soon. Comments that he does very little guard duty. Reports the weather is good...

GLC03523.07.29

to Father

Writes from Camp Pierpont telling him that Christmas and New Year's "passed off pleasently and on New Years day we had a grand Oyster Dinner." Provides detail about picketing, particularly noting the harsh and cold weather. Relays military...

GLC03523.08.26

to Father and Sister

First half of letter written to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports that The Burnside [General Ambrose Burnside] Expedition is "somewhere down South now." Communicates to her his opinion that "you better hunt of husband than a situation as a...

GLC03523.08.31

to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from a camp near Memphis. Comments on a box of provisions he received, including cakes. Notes he sent a box by express with several pictures inside and asks her to take care of them. States he has not received any letters from her...

GLC03523.10.120

to Bell Wharton

Letter is not signed, but based on content it is likely written by Joseph Maitland. Expresses great pleasure at receiving her letter. Reports on the food in camp: coffee, sour bread, strong pork, rice and beans once in awhile. "We have an old nigger...

GLC03523.10.133

to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes to Joseph from camp near the Tallahatchie River. Complains of being nearly shirtless and plans to take some Rebel's wardrobe when he gets a chance. Requests Joseph sends some stamps and promises to repay him. Reports a forage party of five men...

GLC03523.10.134

to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes from Camp Reynolds outside Pittsburgh. Says his health is good. Comments on his "last" holidays in the army: "...we had a splendid dinner...given to us by the U.S. Christian Commission..." Reports that New Years Eve was the most lonesome day...

GLC03523.10.153

to Joseph M. Maitland

Expresses relief he is still in Memphis. Reports his regiment is suffering, with little to no food. Says the Baptist meeting is over and they "immersed" seventeen people. Comments she witnessed the immersion and "...became disgusted and went home...

GLC03523.10.158

to Mary M. Bogart

Writes to his wife, noting that he received her letter a few days ago, and apologizes for being too lazy to answer it until now. He includes trinkets for the children in the letter, and tells her that "I should like to send you all a kiss if I could...

GLC03523.11.07

to Mary M. Bogart

Reports to his wife that his camp is quite sickly as the "measles have made their apearence." Writes that he has sent his pay, which is 25 dollars, minus "two and a few cents," which he kept for himself because "a man can't live here without some...

GLC03523.11.10

to Mary M. Bogart

Writes to his wife telling her he wished she wrote more often as he is lonely and in a "godforsaken plase for we are hemed in here on an island where we can see nor hear nothing but death and distruction on every side..." He reports to her that their...

GLC03523.11.11

to Mary M. Bogart

Writes to his wife, "how I do want to se you once more if the lord so wills that I can and my children to for I have got tired of this war is ever a fellow was in this world for they hant but a few left for duty in the regement and grow less every...

GLC03523.11.15

to Mary M. Bogart

Writes to his wife, "dear friend and companion." Tells her that he received a short letter from James, possibly a neighbor or friend from home. Inquires about the letters he sent, one with ten dollars enclosed, the other with six dollars, and the one...

GLC03523.11.19

to Mary M. Bogart and children

Begins letter with "dear ones at home." Reports that he is well and at a hospital taking care of the sick, waiting for his release papers to come. Tells his wife that he expects to "come to delhie to be discharged and paid and take all of our...

GLC03523.11.32

to Amanda Wilkinson and his mother

He has received a letter from his wife's mother that his wife is sick. He is greatly saddened to hear this and hopes she gets better. Wilkinson writes that her life is more precious then his and he wishes he were sick instead of her. Says that they...

GLC03523.13.022

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Writes that they are at their old camp ground and it looks like they will be staying there for the winter. Tells her that his health has improved and he is in good spirits. Does not think they...

GLC03523.13.060

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry beyond Union Town, Virginia. He was unable to write because they have been marching for several days, they are now camped not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Notes that there have been some skirmishes...

GLC03523.13.064

to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he holds her and their baby in the highest esteem. He is also greatly saddened that he may not be able to come home during the winter. Tells her of his dreams about going home and being with her and the new baby. Because he is...

GLC03523.13.068

to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Haines Bluff, Mississippi to his wife. He is outside of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses S. Grant is laying siege to the city because attempting to storm it would most likely cause...

GLC03523.13.102

to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the...

GLC03523.14.07

to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black...

GLC03523.14.08

to Maria Damuth

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant...

GLC03523.14.12

to John and Joan Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin left its plantation campground, and has been on the march since. In the woods, they find evidence of rebel building projects and bridges. Damuth and a group of men go out to fix up the roads ahead. Describes their...

GLC03523.14.23

to Maria Damuth

The 29th are still on the march. Curtis has taken a party of men to Grand Gulph to guard a train if provisions. There is little food among the marching men, who have been reduced to killing stolen animals and eating dried corn - "when a felow gets...

GLC03523.14.24

to Maria Damuth

Writes about the surrender of Vicksburg the day before: "you could see white flags on all of thear works it was the happyest 4th of July I ever saw." Is going on an expedition to Black River. Describes the defeated Rebels scavenging for food. The...

GLC03523.14.32

to Maria Damuth

Writes on paper sent to him by his sister and teases, "I guess you thought if you sent this size paper you would get large letters." She has also sent him some socks, and Damuth thanks her for them but adds, "I think I would rather be the one that...

GLC03523.14.35

to Maria Damuth

The men have moved to a new camp. They pass through Franklin, Louisiana, and marched a total of fifty-five miles to their new campground. The men are eating well and Damuth believes they will "all come out fat." They are marching for the Gulf of...

GLC03523.14.37

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about doing guard duty on a plantation near camp. The soldiers encounter enslaved people who remained living on the plantation. Damuth purchases food from them and enters their homes. Describes that the enslaved people observe...

GLC03523.14.42

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp in New Iberia, Louisiana. Begins the letter with a description of "what the folks in our house are doing Barney is fixing a short tailed shirt that I sold him...Don Stanley is mixing up pancakes for dinner." The men...

GLC03523.14.44

to Ida

Writes to "friend Ida." Says that the weather is getting cold, and the men need new clothes and tents. Although their captain is strictly against foraging, Damuth says "he dont know all that is going on in Co D Dave dont care how much the boys...

GLC03523.14.45

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about how busy life is at camp. Damuth is in charge of pay roll and "mad out four Muster & pay Rolls this week besides making out other papers." One of the captains in Company C has been promoted to major, much to the chagrin...

GLC03523.14.61

to Maria Damuth

The men are happy at their camp. A fort is being built "and some force will have to stay here and hold it." The 24th Indiana and the 35th Wisconsin have joined Damuth's regiment; all of the 35th Wisconsin is ill. Damuth says his company is well...

GLC03523.14.66

to Maria Damuth

Is busy drawing rations for the men. "We drew 70 lbs of good whitefish for our co but we have no potatoes to cook them with." The men are bored in camp and lazy; Damuth says they do not get enough exercise, but have plenty to eat and drink. Of his...

GLC03523.14.69

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men have arrived at Devil's Bluff and will soon move to Little Rock. The colonel is hunting deer, but "evry one cant get out of the picket line." The mail has brought a death announcement about one of Damuth's close...

GLC03523.14.74

to Sister Mamie

Discusses the "[t]errible" battle of Bull Run and the poor conditions of camp life, including difficult marches and poor diet. Discusses the execution of a "Zouave" soldier in camp for the "crime of murder." Also makes reference to the politics of...

GLC03523.18.01

to parents

Reports on conditions at Cold Harbor, and details the regiment's plan to cross the James River. Describes a recent meal: "I have just been to dinner and what do you guess I had? It was this good nice ham, coffee, and hard-tack soacked soft in cold...

GLC03523.18.13

to parents

Reports on his first day of service as 1st Lieutenant of Company "C" of the 2nd Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Encamped near Brickeystown, Maryland. Mentions Captain [Nathaniel] Wales' injury during the Battle of the Wilderness. Discusses a delay in...

GLC03523.18.21

to mother

Writes from Camp Russell, near Winchester, Virginia. Explains that the camp's namesake, General David A. Russell, was killed in action during General Philip S. Sheridan's campaign in the valley. References Sheridan's orders for the 2nd Vermont to...

GLC03523.18.33

to mother

Writes from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions being part of Brigade Grand and having tea in camp. Thanks people back home for their interest in his welfare. Discusses movements of 5th Regiment into an old camp previously occupied by...

GLC03523.18.35

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Requests letters from home, "now that trains run into camp every evening." Reports that he is positioned in front of "Kershaw's (rebel) division," a division he has met several times before: in the valley...

GLC03523.18.37

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Mentions purchase of "sheet iron stove for which I paid the little sum of $7.50." References ordnance returns. Describes feast of roast turkey and chicken for Christmas, and oysters for New Years. Reports that board...

GLC03523.18.41

to mother

Written from Camp near Petersburg. Discusses capture of Fort Fisher in Wilmington, and mentions the capture of 1,000 prisoners including Colonel William Lamb and General W. H. C. Whiting. Describes influx of rebels coming into the Union lines...

GLC03523.18.42

to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Camp McDowell. Reports he's had a terrible tooth-ache and has not been able to sleep for four days. Complains of constant rain. Mentions rumors they are heading to Fairfax. States they have orders for a long march and can...

GLC03523.20.02

to Sarah Knox

A Union lieutenant in the 1st Connecticut Artillery offers his opinion of McClellan's presidential campaign. " ... Gen. Mc Clellan's election, on the platform of the late convention I do not think he stands any sight whatever. It is decidedly a...

GLC03523.20.16

to Stockton Bates

He writes while squatting on the ground with his portfolio on his knees. Describes the soldier's life with the bulk of time spent in marching: "marching is what breaks the men down so much; they hate it worse than they do fighting." He prefers...

GLC03523.23.02

to Stockton Bates

Describes the scene as "a cold, rainy Sunday in a crowded, leaky tent, three more letters to write, and no dinner in prospective except 'beans.'" Mentions constant marching with little rest. As it is getting cold, "the boys draw around the fire...

GLC03523.23.03

to Stockton Bates

While they are located in a beautiful overlook of the Blue Ridge, "there is not the slightest romance in walking a mile up and down the mountain for water." While on picket, they got food from several homes, more by intimidation than by gift,...

GLC03523.23.04

to Stockton Bates

Describes Burnside's "mud march" and the return to their old camps, where rations are short due to the mud. Praises General Cochrane. While on picket on the Rapppahannok, they had friendly conversation with Rebel soldiers.

GLC03523.23.07

Hide and Fat Depot

Image shows large pile of animal parts in foreground, with two men, a tent, and an unfinished building in the background. Graphite inscription on verso "17" "2.00--." Ink inscription on verso "Hide & Fat Depot of the Armies of the Potomac & James at...

GLC05111.02.1306

Camp Life, Army of the Potomac

E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., publisher. A group of men around a large pot cooking on a campfire. Front labeled "Cooking in the Army". On back: "Stirring the Pot." Shows men lined up waiting for food while a group of men are cooking in a pot over a...

GLC05137.193

Weighing out the Rations

E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., publisher. Commissary Stores at Camp Essex. One man weighing food, a second man cuts bacon, and a third man writing.

GLC05137.199

to "my darling little buttercup"

re: Hartsuff writes to his daughter and tells her about the territory and life on the reservation. He describes "ration day" - when the Indians gather to receive their food from the stores - and a cattle division. Written at the Pine Ridge Indian...

GLC05201.016

to Jonathan Dayton

References Dayton's letter of 16 August 1799. Writes to tell Dayton, Senator from New Jersey, that he should tell his brother that the three regiments being raised in New Jersey for the Provisional Army during the Quasi War with France might not...

GLC05229

to Mary Magie

"No 10." Written from camp near Franklin. Charley returned and is now a hospital cook, which he prefers to being in the ranks. Discusses money and his plan to be out of debt, buy the Macomb Journal and have a comfortable living after the war.

GLC05241.33

to Mary Magie

"No 14." Written from camp near Franklin. Sends home another box of clothes and more money. Discusses his plan for getting out of debt and securing a good living. Lives at the Regimental hospital and describes his breakfast there. He is upset...

GLC05241.39

to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. Magie is writing in the doctor's tent and mentions the many sick soldiers who appear at the tent for medicine. He writes about his newspaper business and other men who speculate in food. Magie bought himself a watch...

GLC05241.42

Co. 'D', U.S. Engineers Camp in Front of Petersburg, Va. September 1864.

Negative by Timothy O'Sullivan. Positive by A. Gardner. "Incidents of the War" series. A whole in the negative in the upper left corner shows in the image. Co. D, U.S. Engineers posed in four rows with canopy of pine branches and tents behind. The...

GLC05111.01.0256

Commissary Department, Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac. [February 1864]

Negative by Timothy O'Sullivan. From Gardner's "Phot. Sketchbook of the Civil War," plate "No. 61" with text accompanying panel. Shows a group of soldiers standing outside two log cabins. The cabins logs run vertically, instead of horizontally and...

GLC05111.01.0269

Officer sitting on box of "Army Bread from the Union Mechanic Baking Company."

There are several stacks of boxes of army bread or "hardtack" behind the officer. Inscription on verso: Ordway - Gardner Collection." Numeric notation: "241 XXXV"

GLC05111.01.0410

Soldiers at mealtime

The image shows a group of soldiers eating near a small A-frame tent, in a field with scattered trees. Inscription on verso: "Gardner." Numeric notation on verso: "IV" and "645."

GLC05111.01.1006

Union officers sitting for a meal with camp scene behind

The image shows 5 Union officers seated at a table drinking, with two young African-American men standing behind them and what appears to be a white cook with an apron. Various white and black soldiers stand in the background among the A-frame tents...

GLC05111.01.1040

Bombproof restaurant, Petersburg

The image shows a man sitting in front of a bombproof restaurant with a sign: "Fruit & Oyster House" and scattered trees in the surrounding landscape. Numeric notation on recto: "180." Inscription on verso: "Bomb-proof restaurant on the Petersburg...

GLC05111.01.1043

Grain mill, Port Hudson, LA

The image shows a one-storey grain mill with a horse and a cart near the building's entrance on the right edge of the photo. Inscription on verso: "Port Hudson mill in which the garrison ground their corn."

GLC05111.01.1294

to Lieutenant Colonel J. Condit Smith

Major General Logan writes from the field near Gordon's Gap. Instructs Smith to send food for General Osterhaus, who has not received forage since he left Rossville, Georgia (often referred to as Rossville Gap). Will send his own cavalry tomorrow...

GLC04385.03

[Announcement of Confederate troops entering Kentucky]

Confederate Major General Kirby Smith announcing that the Confederate Army "has again entered your territory, under my command." Says they are not coming as invaders, but under the principle that govenment derives its powers from the governed. Says...

GLC04507.02

To his wife

Discusses provisions and recruiting. Written on patriotic stationery.

GLC04558.001

To his wife

Washing clothes, food: "...sea buiskets which is a kind of very hard cracker. They taste pretty much like any other craker but I have about put my jaws out of joint chewing them but today they delt out pilot bread which is very much like soda...

GLC04558.007

To his wife

Settled in camp, weather, price of food coming down.

GLC04558.010

To his wife

Fleet leaving for Newbern, drawing half-rations. "Yes, we are getting to be sober and steady, if we dont it is our own fault, for we have preaching almost every night..." Mentions that the official chaplain is lazy in providing mail and preaching...

GLC04558.013

To his wife

Home affairs: children, horses, business deals. Food: "We have plenty of salt pork, bacon, and beef there has been a lot of fat cattle brought here which they butcher so as to have fresh beef twice a week.... We get a kind of conglomerated...

GLC04558.026

To his wife

Laying around, regiment ordered from Newport News to Richmond, problems with fleas. Discusses rations from Uncle Sam and NC peddlers: "that come from main land in boats. There is sometimes as many as ten or a dozen here in a day and some of them...

GLC04558.034

To his wife

Addressed "Dear Elizabeth". Still at Fredericksburg but things are packed. Trying to get rid of extra clothing, still feels weak. Nurses and women's work: "Tell Mrs Rosa that if she feels so bad she had better enlist herself, as a nurse. I...

GLC04558.037

To his wife

five miles from Harpers Ferry. Farm business, complains of food. "I am pretty weak from the diarea I weigh only 136 lbs."

GLC04558.047

To his wife

More diarrhea "about all I eat is parched corn or a little grated meal made into pudding...." asks for money, mentions recruiting by other soldiers, reports battle across the river, troops held in readiness. the letter is continued on October 18th.

GLC04558.049

To his wife

Raining, rising price of food and living on "Uncle Sam's hard-tack, soldiers deserting and noting the carelessness of guards, asking for express package. Letter is continued on December 6th.

GLC04558.057

To his wife

Furloughs, rations (mentions receiving soft bread for the first time in five and a half months), says that they subsist on coffee and crackers while marching, reports a CT soldier discharged for cutting his throat from ear-to-ear because he was...

GLC04558.068

To his wife

Moved camp, picket duty, fishing a lot while on duty; the NY 89th is one of the few regiments to remain; talk of consolidating regiments; mentions rations available. Letter broken-off with orders to strike tents and move. Captain under arrest....

GLC04558.092

To his wife

Wonders about her letters being misdirected; describes food (oysters, clams) and cost of other items; mentions other soldiers getting furloughs including one "in the hospital on account I suppose of the 'ladies disease' contracted in Norfolk...."

GLC04558.116

To his wife

Notes that it is his tenth wedding anniversary and writes that the thought of her distance and the time remaining cause "a choaking sensation" and tears. Says that he is the only man in Co. H with a family. Mentions slow siege of Charleston, health...

GLC04558.118

To his wife

Worry of "calamity" at home; hopes for discharge next April 1st; sarcastically mentions letter of 1st Lt. of 114th NYS Vols. (unidentified); discusses current rations and how only cooks make cook food; comments that the food always causes digestive...

GLC04558.119

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

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 Nan [Maury]

Reports that prisoners returning from federal camps are frostbitten and ill. Notes that the court martial will convene on Friday, and comments that "hopes are entertained the soldiers will be better fed" since the appointment of the new Commissary...

GLC04572.31

to his father

Reports that his regiment is on Provost Guard. Three days worth of rations only lasts for two days, after which the soldiers must provide for themselves or do without. It is illegal to sell whiskey in town, and his regiment usually catches those...

GLC04573.02

to Isaac Mayo

Clerical copy written and signed by H.F. Ingraham, Captain Elliott's clerk on the U.S.S. Erie. Marked "True Copy." Written by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus...

GLC04604.22

to Isaac Mayo

Written in clerical hand and signed by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus. Orders Mayo to take provisions for a four month cruise off the coast of Mexico. Says he...

GLC04604.23

to Sim Van Winkel

Kappes, a Union soldier waiting for his discharge in the Annapolis United States General Hospital, relates the events of his capture to friends in New Jersey. Reports that while engaged in battle near Richmond, Virginia, his corps was surrounded by...

GLC04635

to mother

He is glad to hear from the family. He is living well but meals cost 50 cents shipboard. Discusses the failed attempt of a black servant to make apple dumplings. Written from U.S. Steamer Catawba, Beaufort Harbor.

GLC04662.026

to mother

Continued on February 13. Worries that their current expedition will turn out to be as bad as Banks' expedition. The men are shooting crocodiles and gathering oranges.

GLC04662.027

to mother

Discusses food available for officers. A reconnaissance party brings back word that the Confederates are short of food.

GLC04662.036