16 December 1782

Webb, Samuel Blachley, 1753-1807

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Isaac Keeler]

Colonel Webb recommends Keeler for a leave of absence until 10 February 1783. Directed to Major General Henry Knox at West Point.

GLC02437.09572

16 December 1782

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Recommendation for a leave of absence for Captain Gardner]

Colonel Crane recommends Gardner for a leave of absence until 15 February 1782. Directed to Major General Henry Knox at West Point.

GLC02437.09573

5 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Provides his son with update on life in Kingston, mentioning that there was an "Aid Society" meeting recently. Reports that [William] "Grier," Joseph's brother, has begun school.

GLC03523.10.053

14 December 1862

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Tells his brother that he is home, sitting by the fire with their father, reading the Bible. Informs him that he has recently attended a Baptist Church. Asks that he come home for Christmas "if he can."

GLC03523.10.054

18 December 1862

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Begins letter, "To write a letter tonight or not that is the question I have been thinking of for some time & I have come to the conclusion that it will be nobler for me to write." Tells him, "if you come home I hope you see your girls especially that one you fell in love with sometime before you left." Signs the letter, "I remain your sincere friend."

GLC03523.10.055

22 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to his son that "I learned further through your chaplain that rigorous measures would be adopted to take those Boys back that had left and punish them. I repeat to you that we would like to see you but unless you can get a pass I think it would not be advisable to come..."

GLC03523.10.056

13 January 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Relates to his brother that he is very relieved to hear that he has not been killed, as he has received word that Colonel Hawkins was killed and General Horatio Van Cleve's Division "suffered terribly." Tells him that "I think your Commanding Officers should not hesitate a moment in accepting your resignation."

GLC03523.10.057

20 January 1863

Chancee, R., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "Kind Friend," reporting that he has just gone sleighing and "enjoyed it with much delight." Reports that Mr. Mast, possibly his uncle, is at home "his soldiering days are over, and the cry of battle is heard by him no more." Signs the letter, "from your most ever time friend."

GLC03523.10.058

17 February 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to "My Dear Bell" from Fort Pickering. Describes fort conditions, noting that is very different than Camp Chase. Tells her, "Oh how I wish I was only at home long enough to get a few meals and then the loss of Female Society to one who is a lover of the Fair sex is a great deal." Small holes in letter cause minor text loss.

GLC03523.10.059

21 February 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to [William Grier Maitland] [incomplete]

Informs brother, from Fort Pickering, that three men from his regiment died last night from illness. Reports that there is news of "guerillas" burning a steamboat a few miles outside of Memphis, speculating that everyone was taken prisoner. Tells him that upon hearing this, his regiment fired shells at them from their Gun Boats and the next day he could see Rebel Calvary crossing into Hopefield. Letter incomplete and unsigned.

GLC03523.10.060

18 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from his gun…the other shot his thumb off." The colonel suspects the second man of wanting a discharge, since he has already been ill. Damuth mentions an older man suffering from rheumatism who hopes to get a discharge and opines, "I dot [sic] think the army is any place for such old men I have taken noticed that all the old men in the Regt are sick…

GLC03523.14.05

22 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Mentions that he has not received many letters from his family but adds that most letters that come to camp are from soldiers' sweethearts and "some of the boys had rather write to the girls than to thear own folks but it is not so with me." Reports on the "great Expedition of Gen McClernand" to take Vicksburg. Troops have been passing Damuth's camp but his regiment is not joining them; instead, they are making plans to cross the Mississippi and set up winter quarters. Praises Colonel Gill for his attentiveness towards his men and tells a few stories about the things the soldiers have been…

GLC03523.14.06

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

8 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 servant who cooks for the men and washes their clothing. Discusses more camp health issues and assures his sister that although she might think "the Hospital is a dredful [sic] thing…it is not so here." Colonel Gill is under arrest after an incident in town. Six buildings, including a hotel and a store room of cotton, were set on fire and the…

GLC03523.14.08

20 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for war. In St. Charles, the men find the remains of trenches and Damuth reflects that he and all the rest of his regiment probably would have been killed if the Rebels had not deserted the camp. Near Devil's Bluff, Arkansas, there is a brief fight with some fleeing Rebels, who have dragged their cannons to the railroad tracks in an escape attempt…

GLC03523.14.09

22 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10

30 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all the soldiers they will be home by Christmas. Writes that "the South is most ruined now and will be intirely [sic] if this goes on an other year." Thinks that the Southerners are eager for the war to end. Writes that Grant has gone to Vicksburg and predicts that they will not have to go after all, for which he is grateful - "I am not so ambitious…

GLC03523.14.11

6 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 who does the cooking - "a good fellow but is an exception to his race." Complains about division in the North between Republicans and pacifist Democrats.

GLC03523.14.12

18 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth and another soldier have been caring for Jesse, who is ill. Many of the men in the regiment are in the hospital. Many soldiers are eager to get discharges and complain about their lack of importance in the war. Discusses hierarchy of officers.

GLC03523.14.13

3 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria and John Damuth

Three reports of Jesse Smith's death of typhoid fever and measles, all written out by Damuth. One is for the town newspaper, the other two for Damuth's siblings.

GLC03523.14.14

9 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the regiment is still in Helena, although General Benjamin Prentiss has encouraged the men to be ready to march at any time. The Lieutenant Colonel of the 29th, whom Damuth accuses of thinking "more of the Rebels than he did of his own men," has left and Damuth writes that morale among the soldiers has increased dramatically. Tells an anecdote about Colonel Gill. Describes a trip to visit Jesse's grave in an old Southern graveyard and writes that it "will likely be the last time I shall ever visit his last resting place."

GLC03523.14.15

17 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his brother with little war news. Asks John if he is a member of the Democratic Club and warns him that "I would shoot my own brother as soon as I would a snake if I should see him in the ranks of such a Good forsaken set of trators." Says that any Democrat who speaks or writes to him will be purposefully trying to insult him. Takes pride in enlisting and opines, "thear can be but two parties engaged in it [the war] Patriots & Trators." More of the men are dying of typhoid fever.

GLC03523.14.16

20 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports that more of their friends from home have died. Complains that men are enlisted with "no respect to persons they will kill the strong as well as the weak." Describes some officers in the camp.

GLC03523.14.17

25 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Describes springtime in Arkansas. The Wisconsin soldiers are nervous about the summer weather. Writes that Helena has been attacked "but it is all news to us we dident know any thing about it." Prisoners have been brought into the camp. Tells his sister that the government is "going to arm negros to send north to whip the Copper heads." Confesses that the men usually rest when they are supposed to be at drill.

GLC03523.14.18

4 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Discusses the hurt feelings of a friend and Democrat from back home. Mentions that there is not "much drunkenness down here" since "Gen Prentiss is a temperance man." Asks for packages with items like dried fruit, silk handkerchiefs and cayenne pepper.

GLC03523.14.19