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to Estelle Spero
September 1942
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Sidney attempts to clear up a disagreement that the couple have had in their correspondence.
GLC09120.103
22 September 1942
Diamond describes the train ride back from visiting Estelle, during which he sat next to a young NYU graduate who had been forced to move to Virginia to find work during the war
GLC09120.107
27 September 1942
Diamond hints to Estelle that the sweater that she has been knitting him would come in very handy in the cold weather.
GLC09120.110
29 September 1942
Diamond tells Estelle that he has too little time to think out logical replies to her many and varied questions.
GLC09120.112
6 November 1942
Diamond relays a debate that had taken place during the student presentations on the pros and cons of a soldier choosing to get married. He informs Estelle that he received his first mark below 80 (a 79 in chemical tactics), but that the rest of his...
GLC09120.125
8 November 1942
Letter written just after having visited Estelle, and Diamond writes of "the odor of [her] hair still playing with [his] senses". Diamond also talks about the "confusion of inefficiency" that reigns at home, as soon as the "men are gone".
GLC09120.126
1942
Diamond informs Estelle that he expects to be shipped before the week is up. Sidney tells Estelle that he hopes to be in New York on Saturday, and that he hopes that it is not too late to ask her out on a date on Sunday.
GLC09120.135
Diamond tells Estelle about a recent visit to the "Casanova", a Mexican restaurant, where one of the dancers danced with him. Sidney also describes the process of crossing the Mexican border across the Santa Fe bridge..
GLC09120.137
12 December 1942
Diamond describes to Estelle ways in which the police have tried to combat members of the armed forces visiting local prostitutes.
GLC09120.152
December 17, 1942
Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "junior phi-beta Kappa appointment". He tells her that his expert gunner exam is the following day.
GLC09120.156
January 16, 1943
Diamond reassures Estelle of how faithful he is to her.
GLC09120.176
January 19, 1943
Diamond discusses the "agony" of not being able to speak to Estelle.
GLC09120.179
January 22, 1943
Diamond describes his room to Estelle. He then tells her about an exchange that had taken place between himself and one of his men who had been worried that he could not stop thinking about his wife, and the possibility that she was being unfaithful...
GLC09120.180
January 25, 1943
Diamond continues to describe his abode to Estelle. Sidney also instructs Estelle to save him a "corner of [her] mind and when [he] come[s] home [they] can oil it up, take of [sic.] the mist, dust it off and [they'll] [illegible] the same as always...
GLC09120.181
January 29, 1943
Diamond apologizes for not having sent Estelle a Valentine card.
drawing on upper left corner.
GLC09120.183
February 28, 1943
Diamond describes the experience of making a telephone call to Estelle.
GLC09120.195
1 March 1943
Diamond declares his love, stating that he is "afraid that this affection will remain for a very long time, a very long time."
GLC09120.196
March 16, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he is "desperately in love".
GLC09120.202
1 April 1943
Diamond reminisces over his first date with Estelle. He also tells her during the day, he had been forced to crawl within 500 yards of his target in order to get some decent observation
GLC09120.209
to sister
December 5, 1864
Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865
George B. Cook got his sister's letter from Eli Howell, who brought the letter from Salisbury. He got marching orders at 11:00 PM last night to go to Richmond to bury General [Gracy], who was killed by Union artillery. He is currently in a very...
GLC00653.22.06
April 1943
Diamond describes the Dales, a family that lives nearby to the camp. He writes that the "woman of the family epitomizes the motto of these backwood Southerners - 'Keep 'em pregnant and barefoot and you'll never have trouble with 'em!'
GLC09120.219
3 May 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he should be home on a short period of leave on May 8th. Sidney asks Estelle if she will marry him.
GLC09120.224
20 May 1943
Letter written upon Sidney's return from the leave during which the couple became "engaged".
GLC09120.225
21 May 1943
Diamond discusses his "unsurpassable proposal" to Estelle, and then describes the train journey back from New York to Texas.
GLC09120.226
May 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he intends to marry her.
GLC09120.227
27 May 1943
Diamond comments on the fact that the couple's engagement had been announced in the Hunter magazine.
GLC09120.230
to his sister
5 March 1863
Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864
Writes that he is very disappointed that a "fat letter" from home has been lost. Also writes that his brigade has been on outpost for over a month and he is anxious to leave. He asks his sister to deliver the enclosed notes to Miss Ettie (his ex...
GLC02232.15
19 April 1863
Writes that he is fat and healthy. He's been attending picnics and fishing parties with his lady friends. Reports that they have received orders to prepare for immediate service and advises his sister to keep posted for news of battles in the...
GLC02232.16
5 May 1863
Advises his sister that in order to keep a sweetheart she should give him a daguerreotype and not a photograph of herself. Writes that his "sweetheart," Miss Melinda, has replaced him for another fellow. He discusses how many of the soldiers get...
GLC02232.17
10 May 1863
Informs his sister that he will be sending her a letter by way of a friend who has been discharged. Advises her to make acquaintances with him, as he can get letters out for her. Asks his sister to send him her daguerreotype and to correct the...
GLC02232.18
16 July 1863
He was upset with his sister but has decided to write to her despite of it. Referring to why he was upset, he writes that he had not intended to be engaged and that "in love making you may either naturally run into an engagement or are led into it."...
GLC02232.19
14 August 1863
Writes that he hasn't heard from his family in a long time. He updates his sister on Marshall's (Ward's brother, also referred to as Sam) whereabouts and condition. Ward writes that he spends most of his time in camp reading Waverly novels and the...
GLC02232.20
15 August 1863
Updates his sister on their brother Marshall's condition. He writes that Marshall is in a good place and being well taken care of. Mentions that he has requested money, drawers and undershirts from their sister Fannie. Informs his sister that he...
GLC02232.21
17 September 1863
Apologizes for his last letter and the impact it had on his sister (referring to a letter regarding Miss Ettie). He writes that he wrote it on an impulse and wants to forget about the whole situation. He is on the eve of battle and he is willing to...
GLC02232.22
6 October 1863
Written from the line of battle before Chattanooga. He writes that he's been in the same position for the last fifteen days. They opened on the enemy last night but he doesn't know if they are still shelling this morning, as he is too far away to...
GLC02232.24
12 October 1863
Written from the line of battle before Chattanooga. Writes that he has heard from his brother Marshall who is slowly recovering from dysentery. Discusses communicating with Miss Mollie and Miss Tillie and other mutual friends. Writes that he has...
GLC02232.25
31 October 1863
Refers to "P" from the previous letter and writes that he is likely to go to Marietta to see Marshall (their brother, Samuel Marshall Ward). He writes that he has fallen "powerfully in love" with Miss Mollie. Discusses leaving the battle line...
GLC02232.26
December 8, 1863
Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Writes that he has been in poor spirits lately, especially since he was unable to see "P & M" ("M" refers to his brother Marshall). Desperately wants his sisters to visit him in Marietta, as he can get a few...
GLC02232.27
February 8, 1864
Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. He writes that he's tempted to give up writing frequently to his sister because she seldom receives all the letters he sends. He expresses to his sister how even the most mundane details of her life are of...
GLC02232.29
21 April 1864
Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Asks if she can visit him at camp. Complains about the unusual cold weather and writes that men are living quite poorly as everything has become too expensive. Updates his sister on Miss Tillie and Kate Cook...
GLC02232.31
17 July 1864
Writes that their brother Marshall has returned from the hospital. As Ward had no immediate occupation to assign to his brother, he sent his brother back to the hospital and put him in the charge of one of the surgeons. He writes that Marshall is...
GLC02232.32
to Anne L. Nugent
18 November 1862
Nugent, John Perry, 1844-1920
Writes to his mother because he has the opportunity to send a letter by hand. Comments that his shoes wore out and he had to walk 500 miles through Kentucky barefoot. Clothing and shoes in his unit are in similarly bad condition. Reports that his...
GLC03135.01.05
to Sallie Clifton
23 June 1864
Clifton, A. D., fl. 1864
Written from camp near [Colombus]. Describes a sore on his arm and the swelling it has caused. Teases her about the number of shirts she sent him and tells her the weight of them is ruining his horse's back. Assures her of his safety and says he...
GLC03135.09.05
to Alfred Jones
December 31, 1862
Jones, Maxine Harris, fl. 1860-1920
Letter from his wife, signed "Max." Expresses her fears, anxiety, and despair over the war. Says they have heard bombing all day. Writes, "what agony would be mine to-night, did I not know this field of duty to your Country calls you, leads not to...
GLC03135.13.043
to Isora Sayles
9 November 1860
Braithwaite, Mary, fl. 1860-1867
Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Writes about the Prince of Wales, Edward Albert, passing through the area. Comments that they had special train cars (the royal train) that were done up in the most beautiful style. Describes the train...
GLC03523.32.01
18 November 1860
Writes to her friend about how much she misses her. Wishes for her not to move away in case they may return. Comments how she has not been to church but once and how she longs to go. Notes that she has spent the last week in bed and that she needs...
GLC03523.32.02
27 August 1862
Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868
Informs his sister that he and the boys are well. Discusses promotions that have been given out in his company. Notes that two of their sergeants were promoted to captains in "Negro Companys." Comments on all the marriages, including hers, that...
GLC03523.32.05
March 1863
Informs his sister that he was happy to hear that people are still patriotic. Comments he was happy to hear their late friend Spencer's body was returned home to his family. Mentions how he would like to see the Havens family begin teaching at a...
GLC03523.32.09
to Mary Reeser
December 18,1864
G.F.H., fl. 1864
Comments that he just returned from a meeting in Chandlersburg, [Pennsylvania] where they sang and had a prayer meeting. Tells Mary which girls went home with whom from the meeting. Describes eavesdropping on a conversation that he heard on his way...
GLC03523.43.21
to John Reeser
February 19, 1865
Edwards, Daniel, fl. 1863-1865
Complains how long it takes Reeser to answer his letters. Writes about burying a man at the hospital. Says that there was "a old ded horse laying close beside me and the smell of him would kill rats." Tells of a conversation that he had with his...
GLC03523.43.23
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