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to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Foglesong informs Bishoff that he arrived at Sleepy Creek Station, and from there, traveled to Martinsburgh yesterday evening. He and his fellow troops received new guns. According to Foglesong, a dispute is underway between the officers and some...

GLC03523.40.08

to brother and sister

The author writes that he expects to leave Winchester on the following Friday to go to 70 or 80 miles South to Gordonsville. He reports that there are currently only nine companies of his regiment still in Winchester, as six of the companies left...

GLC03523.40.09

to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher reports that since the last time he wrote, there has been a "Considerate Skirmish" and that the "3rd and 4th of July Did not go off as nice as it did Last year." On the 4th of July, Swisher's regiment suffered one casualty and three wounded...

GLC03523.40.11

to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Foglesong received Bishoff's letter on the 22nd, and currently has orders to take transports somewhere at a moment's warning (some think to North Carolina, others believe to New Orleans). Foglesong's Brigade is an Independent Brigade, and consists...

GLC03523.40.12

to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher tells Bishoff of the great battle that took place on the 14th of September. His Regiment was in the fight and was "Terribly cut to pieces Taking in to The fight 340 and Brought out 200. getting 112. wounded. and 28 Killed." There were three...

GLC03523.40.14

to [Lydia A. Bishoff]

[written on stationery with the poem "The Girl I Left Behind"] Shafer tells Bishoff he was sorry to hear that she was mad about not being able to go to town, but he expects it has quit raining by now. He adds that he would be glad for some rain...

GLC03523.40.15

to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Heckert came to Oakhill last Thursday evening and joined his regiment which had arrived there 3 weeks before. The regiment had a hard time getting there from Cumberland Gap. The men were for 13 days without any rations except what corn they could...

GLC03523.40.16

to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher traveled towards Winchester to follow the Rebel army. They wiped them out of Charlestown and came back to camp again. He is tired by hard marching in the rain. Swisher tells Bishoff he would come home if he could, but he can't. He then...

GLC03523.40.17

to [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Shafer reports that times are fine at present, for the men can go anywhere that they please inside of the pickets which are placed 2-3 miles from camp. But there are not as many apples and cakes and pies as they had previously at Camp Willey. Also...

GLC03523.40.18

to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher tells Bishoff he has undertaken a long, fatiguing march since he last wrote. He is now 22 miles south of Manassas Junction in camp until his regiment receives some clothes. He believes that his regiment will then take up the march for the...

GLC03523.40.19

to John Bishoff Jr.

Swisher has set up a house which has a fire place that he can use to cook. He suspects Bishoff has already heard about the battle of Fredericksburg, so he will not bother to give him all the particulars. His regiment fought for two days with...

GLC03523.40.20

to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher plans to send Bishoff a valentine [see # 32 for text of the valentine].

GLC03523.40.21

to Lydia A. Bishoff

He arrived safely at 11 o'clock. He wishes he were home to have a talk with Nelly, and wants Bishoff to tell Elenor Heckert that John Deets arrived safely, but has to go on guard tomorrow. He heard that they caught the horse thief at home and would...

GLC03523.40.22

to Lydia A. Bishoff

He got his likeness taken and intends to send it to Bishoff the first chance he gets. But he tells her not to get "Scarred when you se it for it is ugly Enough to Scare the Devill out of his shoes." Swisher suggests that Bishoff hang the likeness up...

GLC03523.40.23

to Lydia A. Bishoff

There has been some confusion over delayed receipt of letters. Even though Bishoff wrote Shafer twice, he only received one letter (in February). He thought she had forgotten her "best friends that are absent from home." Regardless, Shafer promises...

GLC03523.40.24

to Lydia A. Bishoff

Swisher tells Bishoff he supposes the man she loves is Major [David] Stemple [Jr.] He says that if she marries him, he will make her a happy home as he is well-off and a man of principle. But he reminds Bishoff that she is a young woman while Major...

GLC03523.40.25

to Lydia A. Bishoff

He would like to know how Bishoff and the "Old major" are getting along, and he would like to be informed when they get married. There are about 100 sick soldiers in the hospital. The Colonel has moved his headquarters to Rowlsburg and there are...

GLC03523.40.26

to Lydia A. Bishoff

He had a difficult time at St. George and "traveled like the Devil" until arriving at Rowlsburg. He wants Bishoff to tell Dan to come down and visit if he comes home, and he asks how everyone is getting along at the mill. Swisher mentions some...

GLC03523.40.28

Lines to my Husband

The poem describes the feelings of a wife as she contemplates being replaced by another after her death. "The love which once I called my own/To her will then be given," Bishoff writes, later describing how "My children will then be taught/ To call...

GLC03523.40.29

Young Sandy the Sailor

The poem describes the story of a sailor who dies at sea, and who is attempting to console his loved one, telling her that, "The storm is past and I'm at rest/ So mary weep nomore for me."

GLC03523.40.30

The Copperhead Song

The poem describes "the southern copper head/It's head is big its heart is black/In treacherous deeds there will nothing lack." The author discusses the possibility of "desert[ing] this glorious union cause and join[ing] the rebel side," but...

GLC03523.40.31

[valentine to Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher writes that "Sure as the grape grows round the vine I chose you for my valentine in hopes it may your sweet attention gain or else in vain in vain." He goes on to say that, "the rose is red the violet blue Sugar is sweet and So are you my...

GLC03523.40.32

Mother, 1841-1914

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Lydia A. Bishoff, as well as a list of all of Bishoff's children.

GLC03523.40.34

David Stemple, 1816-1906

This pamphlet provides a short family history of Major David Stemple, Jr., as well as a list of all of Stemple's children.

GLC03523.40.35

[envelope to Lydia A. Bishoff}

Envelope, addressed to Miss Lydia A. Bishoff, German settlement, Preston Co., VA.

GLC03523.40.36