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to dear, loving and sweet wife

received orders to draw and cook up rations for 3 days. will soon be in a fight. wishes he could come home and stay there for the rest of his days. Written in Camp Stevens

GLC08270.03

to Mother

writes that their rations have been reduced to crackers and beef. passed by the 22nd regiment the other day. they all appeared well and looked like they had been marching for 12 days.Written in a camp near Fredericksburg

GLC08300.11

to Mother

has had a headache for several days. advised to keep two days rations on hand. does not know know if there will be a fight soon. Written in a camp near Rapidan River, Virginia

GLC08300.19

to Lile Miller

In this letter, Michael M. Miller writes home to his wife. He wishes her a merry Christmas and hopes this is the last Christmas apart from her. Him and a friend went to a nearby place to eat and had a big meal for the holiday which he was happy about...

GLC02155.126

to Parents

The duty is heavy and the rations are short lately so the boys grumble. SOmetimes the soldiers go foraging for food like chickens

GLC02173.24

to father

the mustering out of troops, Morse's intention to purchase his Springfield Rifle musket, and the insufficiency of the food rations.

GLC02180.29

to Berdille

He has his good days and his bad days. He mentions the food which he is getting sick of. Once his leg heals, he can head North.

GLC02182.35

to Brother Henry

He is back with the regiment and they are camping within sight of the Blue Mountains. There is more than enough food at present. He hasn't yet written to his father because he doesn't have any ink and he knows his father can't see pencil marks.

GLC02172.57

to Brother Henry

They had a dull Christmas. He does not want to hear of his brother becoming a soldier. For the moment there are plenty of rations and clothing. He has not spoken to Ed since he last wrote. Written in a camp near Fredericksburg.

GLC02172.58

to Dearly Beloved

In Fitchburg they marched about and then took the cars again. They got to Lincoln Square where they marched around until it was time to set up camp. The tents arrived late. He asks for his beloved to send him some dish cloths. They got their rations.

GLC02182.06

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that his living standards have improved immeasurably since the "days of fox-holes and C rations." Diamond comments on the frequency that Shuster appears in "Time" magazine.

GLC09120.404

to Eleanor Hammond

Feels "first rate." All are getting along well. Leg is feeling very good. Hopes she and Oscar are also well. Wishes he were home, but is contented to stay out his term. The time until he comes home will not seem so long once the weather gets warmer...

GLC09273.29

to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg does not swell anymore, and is as good as new. Joseph, Fayette, and Guernsey are all out on picket duty. Was very windy in the morning and rainy the night before, but it is now sunny. Just got two more letters from her. Glad to...

GLC09273.32

to Annie

the battle of Yortown rages around them but so far their loss is small and infantry has not been engaged. understands that war is dangerous but it doesn't seem all that real to him.

GLC09354.07

to Annie

describes what picket duty is. writes it involves scouting around the country. they they their food with them, nothing but corned beef and hard bread. they also do provost-duty, and stay with farmers and watch their movements.

GLC09354.08

to parents

He, Elisha, and Sid are all well. Has marched from Falmouth up through Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania. Has returned to Maryland and are driving the Rebels back south. Expecting "a big fight near here." Asks for money, as they are short on...

GLC09355.009

to parents

Have marched 3 or 4 miles closer to Hagerstown. Expecting a fight "every moment." There have been skirmishes as close as 400 yards away. Thinks there is a chance to end the war within a month. Lee has to get his army across the Potomac to Virginia...

GLC09355.010

to parents

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

to parents

Received two letters from them, one on the 20th and one on the 23rd. Has been on the march ever since he was at Centerville, so he has not had time to write. Marched 15 miles to Gainesville and then to New Baltimore. Later received orders to march to...

GLC09355.025

to parents

Is in his tent while it rains, and therefore has nothing to pass the time with other than writing. Got a short letter from his father yesterday. Hopes mother's eyes do not get much worse than they already are. Just went to visit Sid; "he is well as...

GLC09355.028

to parents

Has not received any letters from them, but did get two newspapers. Now has time to read the papers, a luxury that he did not have before. Can even read at night sometimes when they get candles, "which we do have given [to] us sometimes." Drew...

GLC09355.034

to parents

Received their letter on New Years Day. "What a change there has been" in the past year. All of the commissioned officers who came with the company from Northampton are gone for one reason or another. Perhaps more importantly, "the old troops now in...

GLC09355.037

to Parents

Received their letter the night before last, but did not get a letter from mother as usual. Understands that this is likely due to her straining her eyes too much. Wishes her eyes were better, "but I suppose there is no use in wishing for that." Was...

GLC09355.045

to Angeline M. Bennett

Dated 26 December. He describes his dinner. He asks what regiment her brother is in because he wants to write him.

GLC02161.180

to [Harriet W. Dewey]

Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.

GLC02161.035

to Miss Sue Johnston

They have been ordered to go somewhere on boats with nine days rations. He saw Henry. Elliot and Charles are well.

GLC02167.20

to Miss Sue Johnston

He loves the muster rolls that are nearly completed. They have a new cook house. He is very healthy but does not have much time for reading.

GLC02167.06

to Miss Sue Johnston

He is glad they have a pastor again. They will be doing heavy artillery drills and he feels they will become great artillerists. They have been having very good food.

GLC02167.45

to Unknown

They only got about 2/3 of their ration before going to Bull Run, so they were without food for a day and a half. When the bullets wer flying they saw a black berry patch and immediately began picking berries so the Colonel called them the black...

GLC02172.12

to Sister

Albert has been very busy and this has delayed writing to his sister.They've been working hard loading horse teams. But things are easier now. He describes his meals.

GLC07205.013

to Sister

He writes he is now in the shop making dough. They have to bake a thousand loaves of bread a day. He is healthy and fat. Written at Camp Griffin

GLC07205.031

to Mrs. Wall

There is not enough to eat and people are sick with the measles.

GLC07205.033

to Annie S. Brown

Written on a receipt-roll for soldier rations. He writes that on the morning of the eleventh they charged on Fort Wagner and lost 400 men in 5 minutes. Her cousin John R. Muney was wounded.

GLC07205.042

to Sister Sophia

He describes his current surroundings, the food and pickett guard. He tells a story about killing a hog.

GLC07205.051

to Sister Sophia

He describes his daily activities including battalion drills and what they ate for breakfast. He tells one story of how they were given only bread for breakfast one day and the men retaliated by not coming out for inspection.

GLC07205.054

to Much Respected Cousin

They are building a brigade bakery. If Charleston falls, there may be more fighting. He tells his cousin if he goes to Middlebury, he may use his rifle until he gets back

GLC07205.070

to sister

Had not received stamps in a long time and was therefore unable to write. Sorry to hear of his friend's sickness. Arrived in Fairfax a few days ago. "Threw away everything" on the march. Everyone had too much to carry, and one soldier in particular...

GLC08913.05

to home friends

So angry he "can hardly write." Had to wait a long time in the cold. Angry because he has not received favorable news about his box. Instead was advised to get some good boots on because they would be marching the next day. Had his friends done as he...

GLC08913.07

to home friends

Happy to finally have received the box that he had been complaining about in his earlier letter. Box was mostly undamaged, and his boots arrived in good condition; they fit well. Had a particularly good breakfast today of sausage and fried potatoes...

GLC08913.08

to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his...

GLC08914.020

to brother

Just received marching orders; does not know where to yet. Cooks have begun to cook extra rations in preparation for the march. Just got paid two months of wages. Will try and send some home. Will try to send it via express mail and see how long it...

GLC08914.021

to brother

Describes how the Confederates look: "like Hell. They don't wear no uniform they wear Citizen [civilian] clothes and rags." Many look "half starved." Has written a lot today. Has heard talk that the regiment is going up to Port Hudson along with...

GLC08914.026

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is working in the kitchen peeling potatoes while he waits for the company to fill up. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.012

to Estelle Spero

Expresses concern that Estelle is losing weight, and reassures her that he has attempted to stay away from anything dangerous and that he has every intention of returning. Registers surprise at the fact that his Southern compatriots had never tasted...

GLC09120.047

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that, if his applications to both officer training and the air corps are unsuccessful, his line of duty will most probably be as a communications sergeant in charge of message centers. He also writes about the task of working...

GLC09120.077

to Eleanor Hammond

Received two letters from her last night, one dated 11/23/64 and the other 11/25/64. Happy she included four extra postage stamps in one of them. Leg is "almost well." Weather is "very warm." Has recovered from his cold. Beef for dinner tonight. If...

GLC09273.12

to Brother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there are some people who say they have defective arms, but he thinks their weapons are very well-made. He says they have been living on 2 meals per days and he has enjoyed good health. He writes that they marched at...

GLC00653.11.30

to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "first rate," and leg is well. Weather is nice right now, and hopes this letter finds her well. Sent her two letters, each with $20 in them. Will send some more money by express soon. Does not need more than $5, and if he does, he will ask...

GLC09273.30

to brothers

"Everyone is waiting expecting to have orders to move almost every day now." Rations have come from Washington "in abundance" to prepare for the march. Anything that cannot be carried has been sent away to Washington. Had gotten word that a dozen or...

GLC09355.062

to Eleanor Hammond

Is "tip top;" hopes she is too. Wants to know if she has received all of the money he has sent her. Is eating really well. Decided to turn in his gun to the quartermaster, so "all I will carry will be my knapsack." Expects to begin marching somewhere...

GLC09273.37