Summer 2025 PD for K–12 teachers: Registration is now open!
to Mother and Sister
10 December 1862
Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863
They landed at Fort Jefferson. Recently he had the best meal he had since going to sea: soup and soft bread. He describes the coconut trees near the fort.
GLC02751.13
26 November 1862
They have set up their tents quite nicely with a stove and the right hay. The food is not as good as it was before but he is getting fat off it.
GLC02751.08
to Mother and Sister Elmira
1 May 1863
They have had a very successful expedition, driving the rebels back and capturing a great many prisoners. The food has improved greatly and they are doing their own cooking. He doesn't know when they will be paid so he asks for money.
GLC02751.31
December 21, 1862
They had inspection first thing in the morning. He talks about what different kinds of food are worth around there. He tells the story of a skirmish between cavalry units.
GLC02751.16
to Sister Rosetta
15 April 1863
They got on a boat going away from Baton Rouge. He is sick of the war. The possibility that it might end soon are getting bleaker. He has no money to spend on good food.
GLC02751.30
to Eliza Cook
8 January 1865
Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897
Decides to write a lighthearted and witty letter since he cannot sleep. Describes the routine morning activities and talks about the bad food. Writes a bit later in the day and includes "…I only need the love of one being and that one you can guess...
GLC02570.65
to unknown recipient
February 13, 1812
A letter entailing the call for volunteers and the initial experience of a group of men who answered that call. The author refers to this group of men as a "band of brothers" acting "for the preservation of of ourself and country." The author also...
GLC02669.003
to Mother and Brother
4 March 1862
McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897
Sends news home. Comments on food including having a "porter house steak" for "Carnivale," weather conditions, and his schedule. Discusses supplies and surgeons for Wisconsin Regiments, with autograph letter signed on verso from Alida McParlin.
GLC02649.11
to Ensign Jacob Bailey
20 August 1813
Bailey, Jacob, 1731-1808
A statement of account for Jacob Bailey, for payment from the United States government.
GLC02669.062
to Alida Roca McParlin
27 November 1864
McParlin sends news of himself and asks for more letters from his wife. Writes about life and work at the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. Comments on religion, friends, and food. Has been so cold that he has been using his "buffalo robe." Troops...
GLC02649.39
[Notes on barley and oat distribution]
1783
This note is believed to be a record of barley and oat rations given out to soldiers.
GLC02669.069
to my dear caro
25 August 1917
Dawes, Charles G., 1865-1951
He writes that he can tell Henry he can sign the Auditorium Lease Guaranty. He is in good health and likes the army food. He had to leave Webster in London to have a tooth fixed.
GLC02679.04
to G. Elskes
31 July 1853
Jones, William E., 1824-1864
Requisition for service rendered at ten cents per day, including whiskey. Includes postscript from Elskes re payment. Elskes was the acting commander. Written at Fort Ewell, Texas.
GLC02711.19
to Nancy E. Jones
2 November 1863
Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865
Severely limited rations and for six weeks and "roten hard bread with worms in it." With enclosed excerpts from The Christian Psalmist.
GLC02739.082
to Mary Epperly
20 July 1862
Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904
Discusses the price of various food items.
GLC02715.021
General Orders No. 18
30 September 1861
Williams, S., fl. 1861-1864
No officer or soldier can leave camp to visit Washington. All commanders with make weekly reports on the amount of ammunition. Payment for rations will be made only by the officers.
GLC02745.027
Legal Document
7 June 1861
3 privates are officially sentenced for disobedience and drunkeness. Their punishments range from carrying 20 lb bags of sand and no food to witholding pay.
GLC02745.068
General Orders No. 6
16 July 1861
Abert, William S., fl. 1861
The troops will march at 3am. The cooks will fix breakfast at 1:30am and five men from each company will pack the wagons.
GLC02745.049
to my dear wife
20 June 1865
Thompson, Wilmot, fl. 1864-1901
He is very homesick these days but doen't think it will be much longer. He expects to stay in their current location until they are discharged. He has a breakfast of fried ham and potatoes.
GLC02740.45
Circular
Countersign and parole. Also ordering troops to have one day's ration cooked. They must be in bed by 8 o' clock.
GLC02745.047
to unknown
January 19, 1864
Bliss, Zenas Randall, 1835-1900
Colonel Bliss replies to a note from the recipient (possibly Captain Ethan A. Jenks) discussing corn Bliss ordered the recipient to obtain.
GLC02750.013
to Zenas Randall Bliss
February 1864
Jenks, Ethan A., fl. 1825-1901
Captain Jenks responds to orders from Colonel Bliss requiring him to obtain corn. States that "there is som corn in this county but hard to get."
GLC02750.016
23 March 1865
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 Mother
7 April 1863
Thomson, George F., fl. 1862-1865
They are camped in the city opposite New Orleans.They've been having pleasant food like green peas, new potatoes and lettuce. Two large mules will be arriving from New Orleans. Written in the neighborhood of Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana.
GLC02743.17
to: "Dear Friend."
1861/09/15
Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862
A guard "charged on the bush with 4 men expecting to find a man with a cigar in his mouth" but found only a firebug. He has received more of his uniform now. He saw two "female soldiers" passing on the road with "blue velvet wa[i]st and a dark...
GLC06451.038
Showing results 1,476 - 1,500