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to his mother

Written near Fredericksburg. "My love for my country is as strong and ardent to day as it was the day I signed my enlistment papers and so long as there is breath in me I will be true to my country..." Discusses the future of their family farm, does...

GLC00919.25.17

to friends at home

Letter written near Falmouth. He comments on the band playing outside of General Benham's tent "and consequently in front of the tent in which I am writing." Notes that, "Genl Benham believes in having the Regiment togather [sic]..."

GLC00919.25.18

to Carrie

Letter written to a friend (or family member) away at school. Comments on news of friends, family, and recent events in Chester. Writes, "Since you left here our village population has been honorably in[creased] by a colony of Negroes- bucks, wenches...

GLC00919.25.24

to his wife

Letter written from "Smith Land," Kentucky (likely Smithland, which is near Paducah), though the place name is slightly illegible. Lower third of first page has been torn away. Patriotic letterhead.

GLC01013.06

to his wife

With original cover.

GLC01013.07

to his wife

Written on patriotic stationary.

GLC01013.08

to his wife

Letter written on patriotic stationary from "Shilow pits burg Landing hardin Co tenn," most likely Shiloh and Pittsburg Landing, in Hardin County, Tennessee. Letter written just before the beginning of the Battle of Shiloh.

GLC01013.09

to his wife

Letter written from "pits burg Landing tenn," most likely Pittsburg Landing, in Tennessee. Letter written just after the Battle of Shiloh.

GLC01013.10

to his wife

Top half of third page is missing.

GLC01013.11

to his wife

GLC01013.12

to his wife

GLC01013.13

to his wife

Letter written on patriotic stationary.

GLC01013.14

to his wife

GLC01013.15

to his wife

Lay cites the location as "State of Mississippi Camp near Lagrang," most likely referring to La Grange, Tennessee, where he was previously camped and which is near the Mississippi border.

GLC01013.16

to his wife

Letter written on patriotic stationary from "Camp Davids Mills Miss," most likely in Mississippi.

GLC01013.17

to his wife

Letter written on patriotic stationary from "Davids Mills Miss," most likely in Mississippi.

GLC01013.18

to his wife

Letter written from "Camp Davids Mills Miss," most likely in Mississippi.

GLC01013.19

to his wife

GLC01013.20

to his wife

Letter written from "Black River, Miss," possibly a reference to the Big Black River in Mississippi, which was in the vicinity of Vicksburg. Lay's unit was involved in the siege of Vicksburg; Confederate forces in Vicksburg surrendered on July 4...

GLC01013.21

to his wife

An elaborately cut paper memento addressed to his wife.

GLC01013.22

to her sister

Letter written on patriotic stationary and comes with a patriotic envelope. Written from "New Liberty Po Co Ills," perhaps New Liberty, in Pope County, Illinois. Letter written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay. Signs name as Marget J. Noble.

GLC01013.23

to her sister

Letter written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay. A patriotic envelope is included.

GLC01013.24

to her sister

Letter written from "New Liberty Pope County Ill" to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay.

GLC01013.25

to his sister-in-law

Letter written from "New Liberty Pope Co Ill" to written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay.

GLC01013.28

to his wife

GLC01898.07