1 March 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Borrowed a friend's pen to write with, although he has practically forgotten how to use one. Has very poor ink. Wishes he had his own pen so badly that he is thinking of sending for one in his next letter home. Afraid he would ruin the pen while down in camp. Understands he would need a good bottle of ink along with the pen. Hopes she saw Gaston before he left. Hopes she will get to see John at some point. Has a new commander of the company. Seems like a "grand good fellow." He is the best officer in the regiment. Has received every paper she has sent so far. Has read them with the rest of…

GLC08913.09

4 April 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Bell to his sister. Written on 20th Connecticut stationery. Was waiting to be paid before writing this letter. Wants to send some money back to her. Discovered a box last Friday, and found his black hat inside. His new commander is "a grand good looking officer and looks as so he might be a good union man." His wife and daughters were accompanying him. Were building a new house, but have completed it. Hooker has "assessed the signs" and has ordered the regiment to move to participate in what will become the battle of Chancellorsville. Promises to send some money next time. Tells his sister to…

GLC08913.10

21 May 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Received their letter the night before last; would have answered earlier but has had a lot to do. Had a lot of fun bathing and fishing. Recently fought at Chancellorsville. "Anything but fighting for me" after the horror of his first battle. Soldiers used to really want to see a battle, but not anymore. "They have all got enough of it." Vouches for the courage of his compatriots, saying that they would not have retreated had the order not been given. Several of his fellow troops were maimed. One, Herman, lost his leg from below the thigh. Cad, their commander, is trying to get a furlough…

GLC08913.11

6 July 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Apologizes for not having written sooner, but has not slept well in days and has not had time to write on account of the battle. Does not think that the Confederates will be returning to Pennsylvania anytime soon after the results of the battle at Gettysburg. Says the regiment was "lucky" not to lose more men in the battle. Casualties were 6 killed and "23 or 30" wounded, which was "a very high loss for the time we were under fire." Had a piece of shell strike "within… inches of my leg" while lying prone. Comments that members of his own company named B. [Sifson] and Sandy [Gib] were badly…

GLC08913.12

28 July 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to home friends

Would have written earlier, but could not obtain any paper. Had to beg a friend for some. Threw away knapsack at Gettysburg. Lost "everything but a rubber blanket." Asks to send "a lot of things," specifically paper, a pencil, stamps, envelopes, and, most importantly, money. [Money is underlined with a thick pencil mark]. Points out that they cannot complain about his not writing if he has nothing with which to write. Asks for these things to be sent immediately upon the delivery of this letter.

GLC08913.13

1861-1864

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

Paper includes a stamp of a ship with the stars and stripes for sails. Letter is only ½ page long, and looks ripped at the bottom. Asks for a box to be sent including a small silk handkerchief, which is "all that I can think of." Asks to be sent a letter along with another towel and some money.

GLC08913.15

1861-1864

Printed document

Title: [poem] "To the Ladies of Portland"

Inspired by the reception the 20th Connecticut received upon departing for war. The women of Portland, Connecticut gave the men a warm send-off.

GLC08913.16

2 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about the hypocrisy of friends back home who are giving speeches in his honor, but who have failed to write to him

GLC09120.324

3 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has been made a First Lieutenant.

GLC09120.325

4 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the soldiers from New Zealand that he has been working with.

GLC09120.326

5 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond refers to some of Estelle's letters that he has received.

GLC09120.327

5 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond provides commentary on the photographs that he has enclosed.

GLC09120.328

7 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond reassures Estelle that the nurse featured in one of the photographs that he had sent home is engaged.

GLC09120.329

8 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that, upon his return, he plans to lock himself in a room for month and "sleep and sleep and sleep".

GLC09120.330

10 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses problems pertaining to the soldiers' ballot for the presidential election.

GLC09120.331

11 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he feels surprisingly calm about the prospect of going into battle: "there is only the quietness of heart & body".

GLC09120.332

12 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond instructs Estelle to be good, happy and to keep her level head.

GLC09120.333

January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they are "bon-voyaging again."

GLC09120.334

20 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

V-Mail

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond asks Estelle to send V-mails in addition to her lengthy air mail letters, as he receives his parents' fairly regularly.

GLC09120.335

21 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the "situation continues as usual", with everything "wet, damp, moldy" from the rain.

GLC09120.336

21 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that "the hunger for home grows increasingly great".

GLC09120.337

22 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that "there is little if anything new to report".

GLC09120.338

22 January 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his "politics" to Estelle.

GLC09120.339

1 February 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that the lack of mail has been caused by his being involved in combat, "front line stuff". He writes that he has "seen 'war' minus hollywood's beauty." photocopy

GLC09120.340

3 February 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond praises his men in their initiation into battle. He complains about the difficulty of seeing clearly on the front line, and also writes that he would give up a year's salary for a decent night's sleep.

GLC09120.341