8 May 1861

Stemple, John H., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to girls

He informs the recipients that A.J. [Archibald Jerome Stemple, son of Major David Stemple, Jr., by his first wife, Elizabeth Wotring] is doing well, and that the two men are four miles apart but meet almost every Sunday and "have a great time." Stemple describes Boardman as a "nice country," whose residents are clever and friendly but occupied by talk of the war and "whiping the southerners." Stemple is upset that he has not received a response to a recent letter he sent Sam, and tells the girls that Sam "would better write to me if he dident want another gander fight." Stemple asks the…

GLC03523.40.01

18 July 1861

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Foglesong describes having to sleep on the floor with only his coat to lie on and his carpet sack as a pillow. He reports that there is plenty to eat and drink, but adds that there is only water and coffee - no whiskey. Foglesong does not know how long he will have to stay in Oakland, but he believes that he will be uniformed by next Friday. He tells Bishoff that he still "think[s] of the last night whe was To gether," and he asks her to tell Nelly to come see them, and to tell Kit that he will write to him in a few days. He mentions that he has been drilling for eight hours a day, which…

GLC03523.40.03

14 August 1861

Sam, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Sam is still in Oakland, and does not know how soon he will be called to take the line of march, although he is going to get his arms this week. He describes the health of a few members of his company, and asks how his mother is doing back home. He has heard from the "north Branch" that there are 5000 "sesechers" within 5 or 6 miles of Oakland. Sam suspects that this is true, and is worried since "there is no company but ours and whe have no arms whe would play hell afighting without arms," he says.

GLC03523.40.04

1861

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Foglesong is sick. He says he does not fear his past, but he admits that now is the first time he has cared about getting home. Foglesong describes the condition of various friends from home, including Dan Swisher (who is well again). Foglesong has not been to the hospital yet, because his major told him not to go to the hospital but to attempt to get into a [illegible] House instead. Foglesong explains that he has not yet had a chance to get his likeness taken. He will soon be marching to Winchester [the 7th Virginia Regiment marched to Winchester on March 4-15, 1861]. He estimates…

GLC03523.40.05

21 December 1861

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher reports that he has the measles, and is still in the hospital in the city. He expects to go to camp in a week or ten days. Swisher is sorry to hear that his [brother] Jim has fallen ill. Swisher tells Bishoff that he is also sorry to hear that she cannot have any fun without him. He claims to have been away from home for so long that he does not think about home anymore. Although Bishoff has told him that she wished the war were over, he does not think it will be over very soon. Swisher tells Bishoff that he received a letter from Sam, who is doing duty in Romney. Swisher…

GLC03523.40.06

4 March 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher describes his surprise upon receiving his most recent letter from Bishoff. He had not heard from Bishoff for a long time, and had resolved not to write until he did hear from her. He now understands Bishoff's reason for not writing: she was ill with the mumps. Swisher explains that he is currently under marching orders and expects to go first to Martinsburgh and from there, on to Manassas or Winchester [as previously noted, the 7th Virginia Regiment marched to Winchester on March 4-15]. He tells Bishoff that she will soon hear of the "Bloodyists Battles Ever was fought on the…

GLC03523.40.07

4 April 1862

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 of the company men, who are refusing to leave Martinsburgh "Before they get their pay." Foglesong's company is scheduled to leave Martinsburgh the next day, but he is not sure where they will be going. There is some talk of the company traveling to Florida, which is why some of the men want to be paid before they find themselves so far from home…

GLC03523.40.08

23 April 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 for Strasburg on April 21st. He further explains that Union men are still in pursuit of [Stonewall] Jackson, who has retreated towards Staunton. His company plans to meet a Brigade at Gordonsville to reinforce General Shields' Division before entering Staunton. He reports that "Jef Davis," in command at Yorktown, has been completely surrounded by…

GLC03523.40.09

12 July 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. Swisher remarks that he would have liked to have gone to the party Bishoff hosted on the 4th, and to have seen "all the pretty little Girls step around over the floor," for he has "not seen a woman for so long it is almost a show To see." According to Swisher, if his regiment happens to march through a town, the women all go into their houses,…

GLC03523.40.11

24 August 1862

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 of the 4th Ohio Regiment, the 7th Virginia Regiment, the 14th Indiana Regiment, and the 8th Ohio Regiment, which has fallen back 80 miles. McClellan's Army has nearly all left but he knows "not whare." Foglesong recently had a terrible time of marching through sand that was shoe-top deep. He has had no water except that taken out of creeks "the…

GLC03523.40.12

24 September 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 men killed and seven wounded in his company (5 pretty badly and two slightly). John C. Foglesong was one of the killed, dying instantly of a shot through the head. Bishoff's and Kate's likenesses were buried with him as he had requested while traveling on the James River with Swisher. Swisher reports that there was "many a poor soldier put out…

GLC03523.40.14

6 October 1862

Shafer, David H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 because the weather is quite hot. He says he was very sorry to hear that John C. Foglesong was killed, and he discusses the conditions of additional acquaintances from home. He says he is still on the island, and does not know how soon he will have to leave. He could get a furlough for a couple of days, but does not want to pay the nine dollars for…

GLC03523.40.15

19 October 1862

Heckert, D.P., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 get from the fields, but they all "came through stout and hearty." The Rebels were before them and behind them -- blockading the road ahead and marching behind waiting for a chance to attack -- but the Union men kept in such a position so as to prevent the Rebels from attacking. Tomorrow he expects to go into Virginia up the Kanawa River to Mount…

GLC03523.40.16

19 October 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 explains that he is waiting to see whether "Mr Abram" is going to put his proclamation into effect, for if he does, Swisher is "not agoing to stay." But "as long as I am Fighting for the right Cause I would Rather Die at the point of the Enemys Bayonets than to Have the name of A Deserter," he says. He and Dick are tent mates and have agreed that…

GLC03523.40.17

23 October 1862

Shafer, David H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, there are hardly any women, even though there were "any amount" of women at Camp Willey. The men have to work one day out of the week in the entrenchments, but they do not work "to hurt our selves" and they are allowed "one dram a day." He worked yesterday, and George and Fred worked today. There is quite a stir amongst the soldiers who "don't…

GLC03523.40.18

13 November 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 rebel capital, which he expects the Union army to capture before many months elapse. Swisher reports that there were many little skirmishes on the recent march, but that there was seldom anyone hurt. He was surprised to hear of his friend Daniel H. Wagoner getting married. Dick is sick and at the hospital, but was not bad when Swisher last saw…

GLC03523.40.19

16 December 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 artillery across the Rappahannock. Union men put a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock. The Rebels were throwing shells as fast as they could in an attempt to knock the pontoon to pieces, but they could not get in range of it. His was the first Union Brigade was to advance through the town. Rebels shot at his regiment but it did not suffer as…

GLC03523.40.20

9 February 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

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

GLC03523.40.21

8 March 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 like to know the thief's name. He asks Bishoff to tell Nelly to write him a "hell of a big letter," and that John Deets said he must not "squeeze his Girl to hard for he want to have a Squeeze at her yet." The mud is about five feet deep.

GLC03523.40.22

18 March 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 in the cornfield to scare the crows out next summer

GLC03523.40.23

22 March 1863

Shafer, David H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Bishoff that it was nothing more than a mix-up. Shafer discusses some news he has received from home (that Dan Wagoner is getting married). He then remarks that there are plenty of good-looking girls around, who are nearly all Irish. He explains that there are presently two companies at Sir John's Run. Shafer tells Bishoff he is stealing her…

GLC03523.40.24

20 April 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Stemple is an old man (probably 50 years of age), and that while she ought to be living her happiest days, she will have to be caring for him. But Swisher adds that he has no objections to her marrying Stemple, because he always likes to see people "work out their own salvation at what ever they undertake." He asks Bishoff to tell him who she…

GLC03523.40.25

20 May 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 only about six hundred soldiers there now. He received a letter from Dan since the late Battle at Fredericksburg, who said that there was one killed in his company and four severely wounded. He asks Bishoff to give his love to "all inquiring friends especily the girls."

GLC03523.40.26

22 October 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 gossip he has heard from home (Johnny Whiller told him that "the old woman had left him"). He would like to know how John Deets and Ellen Heckert are getting along.

GLC03523.40.28

1861-1877

Bishoff, Lydia A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph manuscript

Title: 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 her mother dear." Presumably, Bishoff is referring to her own familial situation, as she was Major David Stemple Jr.'s second wife, and took over the duties of mothering the seven children Stemple had by his first wife, Elizabeth Wotring (who died in 1862).

GLC03523.40.29