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to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that it takes a long time for the letters to arrive at camp and to be sent out. Thinks that General William T. Sherman is unwilling to give up his line of communication. He does not think the army could survive in North Carolina in the summer...

GLC07460.118

to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that his health is very good and mail leaves Raleigh, North Carolina for Goldsboro, North Carolina by rail. They have received the great news that Richmond, Virginia has been captured along with General Robert E. Lee's army. The camp cheered...

GLC07460.119

to Lodema

Writes from Camp Chase. A warm and spring like morning; it is raining very gently. Located in a very fertile portion of Ohio, but it is not nearly as pleasant as other parts of Ohio are. Writes that "no hills in any direction are visible. There...

GLC02596.01

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...

GLC02596.02

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...

GLC02596.03

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....

GLC02596.04

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...

GLC02596.05

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...

GLC02596.06

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...

GLC02596.07

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...

GLC02596.08

to Lodema

Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not...

GLC02596.12

to Lieutenant W. H. Betty

Writing a few lines to let Betty know that he sits up for most of the day but is very weak. Has all the care that he could wish for, and everything in the hospital is kept clean. The 60 to 70 patients there all seem to be doing well; Bettes does...

GLC02596.14

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...

GLC08913.01

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...

GLC08913.03

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...

GLC08913.14

to Eliakim P Scammon

"I have Just Recd information . . . that there were near a hundred guerrillas at and near Clay CH this morning . . ." Dated Mch 17 186.

GLC02414.321

to James L. Botsford

Dated Mch 10 186. Written in Camp Piatt

GLC02414.322

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...

GLC02596.09

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...

GLC02596.10

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...

GLC02596.11

to Lodema

Sent a box this morning containing his overcoat and pants. The coat with red lining and the two shirts are Sanford Ticknor's. Writes that "one package of letters belongs to Carter of Brimfield, Ohio which he sends home." The shells, books, cap all...

GLC02596.13

to Clara M. Miller

re: Describing the scenery and the mood like the houses that covered are with heavy snow, Indian creeks that are streaming down the bay.

GLC05755.001

to Clara M. Miller

re: The moment he arrived, he didn't see any sign of life. But then later he saw 200 Indians and 25 whites and they were his roommates.

GLC05755.002

to Clara M. Miller

re: Very descriptive about the scenery around him--is ship journey, Russian Orthodox Church ceremony with Indian boy choir. Encounters with some Indians

GLC05755.003

to Clara M. Miller

re: Describing the view; explaining his job. He misses her and everyone else. He'll be home soon.

GLC05755.004

to Clara M. Miller

Red ink, and written recto only. re: Daily activities on the boat and off the boat. Wrote about the animals(skin), roommates(seasick), Indians and the scenery (Monarch Island, glacier).

GLC05755.005

[Manual for Fortification Construction]

re: a manual for the construction of a fortification, with sections on "Notes about Fascines," "Blockhouses," "Of Batteries."

GLC06166.07

to home friends

Bell to friends. Letter written in pencil. Very faded. Some parts are illegible. The envelope is addressed to Mr. Edwin Bell. Received last letter two days ago. Had tried a couple of times to write a letter but had not been able to do so. Some mail...

GLC08913.02

to sister

Received a letter night before last. Have not had much time to sleep. Happy to receive mail; "had it not have been for that barrel, I should not have been here now." "Living pretty hard" at the moment. Have built log huts. Very cold while standing...

GLC08913.04

to sister

Had not received stamps in a long time and was therefore unable to write. Sorry to hear of his friend's sickness. Arrived in Fairfax a few days ago. "Threw away everything" on the march. Everyone had too much to carry, and one soldier in particular...

GLC08913.05

to home friends

Friends have asked for boxes from home, and now wants to do the same. Asks to have the box ready as quickly as possible, within a day of the delivery of this letter if possible. Says to speak to Max Cadwell to see when he sent his box down. If they...

GLC08913.06

to home friends

So angry he "can hardly write." Had to wait a long time in the cold. Angry because he has not received favorable news about his box. Instead was advised to get some good boots on because they would be marching the next day. Had his friends done as he...

GLC08913.07

to home friends

Happy to finally have received the box that he had been complaining about in his earlier letter. Box was mostly undamaged, and his boots arrived in good condition; they fit well. Had a particularly good breakfast today of sausage and fried potatoes...

GLC08913.08

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...

GLC08913.09

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...

GLC08913.10

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...

GLC08913.11

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...

GLC08913.12

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...

GLC08913.13

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...

GLC08913.15

[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

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

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.325

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.326

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.327

to Estelle Spero

Diamond provides commentary on the photographs that he has enclosed.

GLC09120.328

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.329

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

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.331

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

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.333

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.334

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

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.336

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.337

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.338

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his "politics" to Estelle.

GLC09120.339

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

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

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is "used to it by now. [His] nerves have settled down to their usual steady jangle."

GLC09120.342

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he wants "home - out of this mess…"

GLC09120.343

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the telephone operator, Kallor, as a Jewish dress cutter from New York who is in Sidney's father's union.

GLC09120.344

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments that he has never been ill during his army career.

GLC09120.345

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes Estelle a "short note in field on message & overlay paper."

GLC09120.346

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that their "apartment will have a double apron barbed wire fence about it covered by a slew of machine guns to keep all relatives away…"

GLC09120.347

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the process of selecting new observation posts.

GLC09120.348

Sketch of Stanley Diamond as a boy

Diamond writes that the mouth is "too feminine".

GLC09120.349

to Estelle Spero

Diamond again describes the process of selecting observational posts in trees.

GLC09120.350

to Estelle Spero

Diamond asks Estelle to send him a book once a month to entertain him.

GLC09120.351

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for having neglected Estelle on St. Valentines day.

GLC09120.352

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes using the typewriter in terms of a battle offensive.

GLC09120.353

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he intends to attend his battalion motion picture show that evening.

GLC09120.354

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he imagines embracing Estelle.

GLC09120.355

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports that that evening they had gone to the cinema to see the film, "The Affairs of Martha

GLC09120.356

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the "present conflict" between labor and industry.

GLC09120.357

to Estelle Spero

Diamond talks of the constant rain, his desire for good cuisine and a recent nightmare about an air raid.

GLC09120.358

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that his outfit boasts "a washing machine, ice box, and recently a generator & electric lights

GLC09120.359

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day as "quiet, dull, routine rot!"

GLC09120.360

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he no longer has "that burning hatred of the jungle and its mysteries", commenting on how peculiar it is that "a man can adapt himself to this way of living".

GLC09120.361

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes writing to the wife of one of his men about his death, an experience that made him realize the "ridiculous emptiness of words".

GLC09120.362

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the interior of his tent. He writes that it is "grand to be alive and well".

GLC09120.363

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that her "guy is getting along satisfactorily - nothing to write about of any consequence

GLC09120.364

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that his vocabulary is too limited to express how grateful he is for everything that she has done for him.

GLC09120.365

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his "bleak & uncertain" future.

GLC09120.366

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the day had been spent climbing steep hills to O.P.s (observation posts), and describes the view from them. Sidney gives Estelle some instructions pertaining to the "money order" enclosed and requests some garden seeds...

GLC09120.367

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that she has become an integral part of his daily routine.

GLC09120.368

to Estelle Spero

Diamond implies that since it was a leap year, Estelle should have proposed to him.

GLC09120.369

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that they are working on maps and overlap. He comments that he doesn't feel "poetic, romantic, jocular".

GLC09120.370

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that "nearly everyone around has discovered someone they knew from back home

GLC09120.371

to Estelle Spero

Diamond thanks Estelle for the New Yorker that she had subscribed to for him, and then proceeds to "rampage through the 'mag'

GLC09120.372

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains that they have termites in the camp.

GLC09120.373

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is recovering from a 96 hour stretch without sleep: "I needed your shoulder badly".

GLC09120.374

to Estelle Spero

Diamond wonders "how these Nips can keep getting literally slaughtered." He comments that this is one period that he doesn't want to share with anyone: "I'm spending the rest of my life forgetting it."

GLC09120.375

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for the brevity of his notes, explaining that he doesn't have the time, place or imagination to write more. He promises to "come out of this mess."

GLC09120.376

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a reconnaissance trip that all of the officers had gone on that afternoon.

GLC09120.377

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on how sad it is "that man must come to destroy, scar, and burn."

GLC09120.378

to Estelle Spero

Diamond compares his current situation to attempting to descend an upwards-bound escalator: "One steps down only to be brought back to the starting point."

GLC09120.379

to Estelle Spero

Diamond states that he seldom writes when in the field, primarily "because there is nothing of consequence to relate."

GLC09120.380

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is writing in a hole, with a small lantern providing light.

GLC09120.381

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the closest to real fighting that he has experienced.

GLC09120.382

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on how sad it is "that man must come to destroy, scar, and burn."

GLC09120.383