11 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Encamped about a mile from the Thoroughfare Gap, but the army all appears to be on the move. Yesterday morning, a couple of the Indiana Cavalry came in and told the army that Major Stedman and about 80 men of the 6th Ohio Cavalry that went to Fredericksburg, Virginia had been taken as prisoners. While on the road, the Colonel sent a dispatch stating that Major Stedman and his command had got back to Washington Junction and had taken 20 prisoners but lost two men. Pushed through Louisville yesterday. The men had a night of rest last night, their first since a week from last Friday. They…

GLC02596.02

19 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Left Gainesville, Virginia yesterday at 5PM and is now between Centerville and Fairfax, Virginia. On the way, they passed the memorable battlefield of Bull Run. Encamped about six miles west of Centerville; they are now about four miles east of that place and comfortably encamped in the woods. Have their tent up and plenty of hay for their bed. They have "good soft bread, good butter, good fries, good coffee and milk for supper tonight and we have enough for breakfast. We live on the best when it can be had." Feels that the public will no longer be "bored with the old stereotyped phrase…

GLC02596.03

22 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Has not received any letters from home this week but expects there is one or two on the road. They are encamped on the Chantilly Plantation between Fairfax, Virginia and Centerville, Ohio. When he last wrote, the Army was up at Aldie, Virginia. Ordered to march to Thoroughfare Gap, where they stayed for one day, and then ordered to march to Gainesville, Virginia. The Army arrived in Gainesville around 10 o'clock and remained there until five o'clock, when all the troops had passed and their war guard came up. Started for Centerville and passes over the historic Battlefield of Bull Run,…

GLC02596.04

24 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Received a letter from his family and was very glad to hear that they are all well at home. Writes that it appears Wilford Merriman is doomed to suffer as long as he lives. Glad to hear that Eusebus Austin is likely to succeed in getting his quota of men because he is a good man and would make a good officer. His wife wrote about sending his trunk by Eusebus, but Bettes does not think that this is the best idea. Needs two pairs of drawers, one pair of socks, one pair of pants, a shirt, and a quilt sent to him. Finds it very difficult to get clothing while…

GLC02596.05

6 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

[Writes from Chantilly Camp]. Writes that they are still in their old camp. Has been out on a scouting expedition once since he last wrote. Started about 12 o'clock at night and returned the next day at four o'clock in the afternoon. Is certain that there are almost no Rebels left in the northern part of Virginia except for a few Guerilla bands, which do not amount to much. Has not read the President's message yet, but it is greatly eulogized by those who had already read it. Expects this affair will end in a compromise, but Bettes would rather a fight ended the war since battles have…

GLC02596.06

9 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Experiencing extreme winter weather, such as snow, but are surprisingly comfortable. Has no war news to report, there is more information in the papers. S. Z. Dickinson is still in the Regimental Hospital and very sick, he does not want to go to Washington if he can help it. Received a letter from Wellington yesterday; will send it with his letter so that mother will know how he is getting on. Applied for a pass to go down and see Wellington, but he failed to obtain one. Has written to Edgerton to have him go down and see Wellington. His wife has written two…

GLC02596.07

December 11, 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

The day before yesterday, orders came for Sigel's Corps to change position. When they came to load up, it was discovered that one of the wagons needed repairing and would have to be sent back to Washington; someone would have to accompany the wagon to ensure that it was repaired. Went to the city to see Wellington today. Found him sitting up and quite comfortable. Says he has a good appetite and feels very well but he is still weak; Bettes stayed with him for an hour. Everything about the hospital is as neat as a pin; Wellington says he has everything he needs and the best kind of care…

GLC02596.08

1863

Seuss, John L., fl. 1863

Manuscript document

Title: [Journal with plans for Bombproof Structures]

p. 1-2 blank p. 3 has two graphite technical drawings: top seems to be gun turret from top view; bottom seems to be above view of internal defenses of a fort. p. 4-5 "Breach & Contra-Batteries" with color technical drawing of fascine. Re: building of fascine, or constructs to aid in the siege of forts. p. 6-7 "Covered Batteries" re: covering of batteries which would be exposed to enemy fire. p. 7-8 "Covered B' in dry ditches" with two color technical drawings of covered batteries re: variant on covered battery explanation. p. 9-13 "On Arches in Fortifications" with 7 diagrams of…

GLC06166.01

10 August 1862

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Bell to friends. Stationery has a Union stamp of a stars and stripes shield inside a five-pointed white star. On guard duty today. Left Washington on Thursday; arrived in Fredericks City [Fredericksburg?] on Friday. Witnessed heavy fighting with the Confederates. Stonewall Jackson fought McClellan and Burnside. Miles let Stonewall up the mountain, and was accused of treason. "They say old Stonewall is the man… I wish we had a few Generals as wide awake as him. It would not take long to finish the war" then. Is on the move to Harpers Ferry, where John Brown "first commenced his execution."

GLC08913.01

1862

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Month is unknown, but based on the known whereabouts of the 20th Connecticut, this letter was written on October, November, or December 28th, 1862. Printed on stationery portraying the battle of Mill Spring, Kentucky. Implores his friends to write as often as possible, as much as once a week. Has had trouble finding time to write, for they have been drilling "almost all of the time." His commanding officer is extremely tough, and he is very unpopular amongst the troops: "although he is a grand good military man he… is as wicked as he can be." His company is going to be placed in the thick of…

GLC08913.03

1 October 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Is somewhere between Indianapolis and Louisville on a train. Decided to write as soon as the cars stopped moving. Had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Marched to Rappahannock Station, where they were put "into cattle cars." No room to lie down to sleep; have to sleep sitting up. Train travelled to Washington D. C. through the night; continued on to Wheeling, VA/WV. Had to change to their current train at Wheeling. Got "a good supper" last night. Arrived in Louisville at about dark. The dinner he had last night was better than even the nicest dinner he had had back home. Describes…

GLC08913.14

January 11, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 6th of this month, which he received yesterday. The letter found him well. He hopes Cousin Frank will recover soon from his "suffering condition." No news of interest. He heard that General Hoke might dock them all four months of pay for robbing a house. "If he does it will create a general buss up in his division though I don't think it will be done." He does not need any new clothing. He eats mostly corn bread and horse meat. "Horse meant went very rough for a while but it eats first rate now for its all… we get now." He asks his…

GLC00653.22.12

January 28, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 19th. He is glad to hear all is well with her but sorry to hear about Frank's sickness. He hopes he will get home soon. "I think this war will soon end." He heard word of a 60-day armistice. Since arriving in North Carolina, his division has lost 2,800 men. There has been a lot of fighting near the Cape Fear River, but only two men in his company have been hurt: Jerry Wellman and W.M. Sain. He sends a pair of pants and boots home. "The sound is in front and the river in our rear, where the enemy can land either in front or rear of our…

GLC00653.22.13

February 1, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from January 22, 1865. Not much news to report. There is "a heap" of talk about peace. Everyone believes the war is coming to an end. "The boys will all run away if they [aren't] fed a little better." He can read her letters just fine.

GLC00653.22.14

February 7, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

He is well. Got a letter from her and a letter from his sister. Mr. Bailey gave him $200 but he does not need it now. He will keep $60 of it. He cannot tell them if William McMehan had received the clothes he ordered. He asked the captain if he would send his remains home should he be killed. The captain responded that "all I can promise you is this: I will have your grave marked so your friends will know it." He does not know how much good he is doing by being here; would rather be home "killing [hogs]." The army has never been as demoralized as it is now. His parents can retrieve the pants…

GLC00653.22.15

February 16, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

George B. Cook is writing in reply to his sister's letter from the 9th. He is well; hopes she is too. He got the box they sent through Mr. Bailey. He did not need tobacco, as it "is an article I have quit using." He sends the box home; asks her to give the piece of grape shot to Brother Harrison. The box will be at the Mocksville depot. "We had a little fight on the 17… the yanks charged our works with negroes. We drove them back after killing nearly all of them." Lost about 25 men, none of whom were in his company. "I can tell you the soldiers are the worst… I ever saw them. They all have…

GLC00653.22.16

March 23, 1865

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

George B. Cook writes in response to his father's letter from March 13th. He is well and it was good to hear from them again. It has been a long time since he has received a letter. "We haven't had any mail for a month." Nothing new to write about. "We have had a heap of hard fighting" in the past two weeks. Losses were heavy. He lost a man in his own company named W. B. Sport. He had a hole shot in his coattail, but was not injured. He heard that the news at home was that "I had my thigh shot off," but this is not true. W.G. Brown and W.F. Anderson are both well.

GLC00653.22.17

12 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie

[to Carrie, his daughter] No date on the letter, date is from the envelope. Carrie is usefully employed in mending her apron; Bettes is glad that she is making herself useful. Tells her to help out her mother as much as she can, to not quarrel with her brother, and to not bother her Grandmother. Concludes the letter by telling her to be a good girl.

GLC02596.09

12 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charley

[to his son, Charley Bettes] No date on the letter, date is from the envelope (presumably the same envelope as letter #9). Charley was very anxious to get a letter from his father. Wants Charley to be a good boy and help his mother by bringing in the wood and chips for her. Tells him to not tease or bother his Grandmother and to not quarrel with his sister. Tells Charley that he must learn to read and write so you can read your letters and then answer them.

GLC02596.10

19 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Encamped near Potomac Creek, Virginia about four miles from Hartford Court House and six or seven miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Left the camp at Hall Farm on Saturday and went to Fairfax, Ohio and found the troops. Saw S. Z. Dickinson at Fairfax, Ohio; he was still sick but able to walk. They came through Dumfries, Virginia and the roads were extremely muddy so the teams had to stop every few roads. It took them half a day to go a mile and a half. Writes that one would think this distance should be traveled in a day. The roads from here to Fairfax, Ohio run through the woods.…

GLC02596.11

28 August 1863

Hunt, Edwin L., fl. 1863

Printed document signed

Title: [clothing receipt roll]

Signed by various members of Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and a witness.

GLC02750.467

2 September 1863

Various

Printed document signed

Title: [clothing receipt roll]

Signed by various members of Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and a witness.

GLC02750.468

2 September 1863

Various

Printed document signed

Title: [clothing receipt roll]

Signed by various members of Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and a witness.

GLC02750.469

8 October 1863

Various

Printed document signed

Title: [clothing receipt roll]

Signed by various members of Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and a witness.

GLC02750.470

21 October 1864

Various

Printed document signed

Title: [muster and descriptive roll]

Includes the names of various members of Companies "I" and "D," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers. Written at Fort Sedgwick

GLC02750.471