8 February 1863

Higdon, John B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Miller had been reported Absent Without Leave. Higdon claims that Miller has no one to blame but himself, as he did not alert the proper authorities of his condition at the proper times. Higdon suggests that Miller believes "now more than ever that this military business is a humbug." He himself is none too pleased with the army. "You never saw such times. Genl lee rules this whole Confederacy - He is chief cook of this whole department at least. Genl Jackson's pass is not worth a copper." He and his men are living a tough life. As is the case of seven others, Higdon cannot claim a…

GLC02691.11.036

23 June 1863

Pryerley, Jake, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Pryerley is marching a small band of convalescents from Richmond under his care to their division. They are to be armed in order to fight bushwhackers along the way. "Genl Ewells Hd. Qrs. is in Sharpsburg Md. a part of his corps was last Sunday morning in Chambersburg, Pa. making preperations [sic] to fire the town. Our Brigade done the principal part of the fighting at Winchester...Genl Ewell has so far proved himself to be as good if not better than Genl. Jackson...." Discusses capturing batteries and suggests that Miller's company should get a battery through his father's influence with…

GLC02691.11.039

26 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Reports after marching 50 miles from Annapolis, Maryland, they finally arrived in Alexandria, Virginia. Writes, "it was Hard for us not doing anything for so long a time I am not able to walk today as my feet are one blister all over…" Says they are heading out tomorrow, most likely to join the Army of the Potomac where a battle is expected. Describes falling out of yesterday's march and not catching up with the regiment until early morning. Notes thousands of soldiers fell out of march and several men died. Comments, "this was the Hardest work I ever…

GLC03523.52.51

26 April 1864

Morgan, George, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Blue Springs. Reports a couple of cases of smallpox in camp. Comments on the copperheads and how he would have liked to confront them while on furlough back home. Discusses new recruits in camp. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.52

1 May 1864

Belden, Josephine S., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libby Kessler

Writes to her friend. Discusses traveling to Mishawaka, Indiana. Writes of the townspeople. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.53

3 May 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends. Describes being in some hard fighting. Writes, "the shells came poring in like Hail stone only had more affect than a hail stone would have…" Reports driving the enemy back and capturing their artillery. Complains about the bad food and small rations. Informs them the band members are all spread out, some are working in the hospital.

GLC03523.52.54

12 June 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are employed as nurses in hospitals. Writes they have plenty of rations and just received new clothing. Comments his new clothes are making him sick; he has a headache. Request he sends him a newspaper and a day book. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. A small fragment of paper is included.

GLC03523.52.56

2 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Informs him he received the memorandum book, paper, envelopes, and stamps. Discusses the hot weather. Notes they have plenty of ice water, lemonade, and a sutler who supplies almost everything. Reports they are preparing for a siege and have received considerable shelling. Describes a cellar he has dug out to protect himself from the shelling. Comments he would like to get out of the army but does not believe his lawyer will succeed. Complains about the lack of respect and mistreatment of soldiers. Writes, "I always thought I was as good as any one of the…

GLC03523.52.57

5 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has cured it with cheese ginger snaps and brandy. Reports he was within 30 rods of the rebels line this morning. Writes they trade tobacco and coffee with each other and they all bathe in the same creek. Believes the two sides struck a deal not to fire at each other. Requests she writes him with all the news.

GLC03523.52.58

July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Writes his regiment was ordered to the front last night but nothing happened. Describes their lieutenant getting shot in the face. Reports his old colonel is back in command and things are better. The envelope is dated 15 July but the day is not listed.

GLC03523.52.59

10 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports it is very hot and many men are sick. Comments his regiment was relieved from the front lines and they are now camped out in an open field without any shade. Complains about not having any luxuries and every day being the same as the next. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Part of the letter is address to his father and mother.

GLC03523.52.60

13 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends. Reports some artillery firing and little picket firing. Discusses what his life would be like if he never enlisted. Writes, "we live to much on the heathen style Here have not much respect for each other especialy [sic] the soldiers quarrel and curs each other to a great extent." Discusses his band's drummer who is sick in the hospital and expected to die soon. Signs letter "from your affectionate brother and son."

GLC03523.52.61

21 July 1864

Kilbourn, H., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Kessler

Informs him he contacted the Secretary of War and is still waiting for an answer. Promises he will do his best to get him and the rest of the band members discharged. First name is illegible.

GLC03523.52.62

5 August 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Expresses his loneliness and boredom with the army. Reports on the fighting in Petersburg, Virginia. Describes soldiering and what a waste war is. Writes, "It is just calling young men from home and Bringing them here for slaughter and fast as they can kill them off call for more. A mans life is value nothing here and is not Respected By any one, is all for himself…" Comments he has not had a change of clothes for two months.

GLC03523.52.63

16 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments he has been sick but is now doing better. Reports it is quiet in camp and there has not been a lot of action for the last couple of weeks. Writes of being homesick. Notes he only weighs 120 pounds.

GLC03523.52.64

22 September 1864

Wirt, John, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bill Kessler

Writes to his cousin. Provides direction to California. Explains he cannot join him because of his job. Complains about his new stepmother. Writes, "thare never was a bigger fool than my father when he married that girl whenever thare is any work to be done she plays off sick she dont care about anything but dress…please never call her my mother again I wont own her…" Discusses the "Hundred day boys" who just arrived home.

GLC03523.52.66

27 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. States it is quiet in camp but they are under marching orders. Describes being in the masters department where he cooks for six and has first rate living. Discusses the possibility of his father visiting him this fall. Explains he is on the move a lot and it may be difficult for him to catch up with them. Informs him he will be sending $60 home. Mentions his colonel believes some of the band members will be discharged and he will be one of them. Expresses his doubts on receiving a discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.67

3 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they lost several men in a skirmish and their lieutenant was wounded and taken prisoner. States they are receiving reinforcements daily and will see more fighting. Believes they will soon take Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses skepticism of getting out of the army since his colonel was taken prisoner. Request they contact Mr. Kilbourn immediately and see if he can urge their case along. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.68

5 October 1864

Wirt, Matilda, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cyrus Wirt

Writes to her brother and sister. Informs them that Elles, their brother, has volunteered for the service. Requests they come down and visit before he leaves. Asks them to send two gallons of molasses down with whoever comes. Discusses the cold weather and making a fence. Jefferson is listed as the city but state is not listed. The letter is signed by Matilda, "your loving sister and brother Elles & Matilda." Surname is not given. Assuming she is not married, Matilda's surname should be Wirt since the letter is addressed to her brother, Mr. Cyrus Wirt.

GLC03523.52.69

10 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on his way home. Discusses his band's discharge case against the government for non-payment of their musical services.

GLC03523.52.71

13 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders today. Mentions they are expecting an attack somewhere along their lines. Comments the rebels tried charging one of their forts three times but was repulsed every time. Request they write him back with the latest news. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.72

16 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to A. P Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Complains about enlisting in the army and what a mistake it was. Writes, "I will loose the Best part of my life By staying in this Hellish place of Discontent…" Discusses the war and how he does not believe it will be over in a few months. Requests some stamps. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. The letter has an image of an anchor printed in red.

GLC03523.52.73

4 March 1862

Hurst, Logan, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Describes aspects of the Confederate States Army including the fact that there are many men [possibly referring to officers] who are in "fine humors with themselves & their uniforms" while men in the ranks huddle together without such comforts. Also mentions he will be returning home next week.

GLC06371.01

5 May 1862

Hurst, Logan, fl. 1861

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Affidavit certifying Timothy White as a substitute for Logan Hurst]

Signed by Timothy White and LeRoy Edwards. Other endorsements include that of J. E. Smith, Surgeon Pacs and V.O Cassell of the Jackson Light Artillery. Officially relieves Logan Hurst of service to the Confederate States Army after having found a suitable substitute. Certifies Timothy White was paid $1000 in cash by Logan Hurst to serve as a substitute.

GLC06371.02

13 December 1865

Wallace, George T., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Logan Hurst

Regarding debt laws and pay loss.

GLC06371.03