21 November 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's foot was run over by a wagon on the march to Bridgeport, so he is now driving the ambulance with the doctor. He observes a great rush to the front, but is not certain whether his regiment will be advancing there as well. Churchill notes that there is little to eat, as many troops have been passing through the countryside taking everything they can.

GLC03859.19

07 June 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment is moving towards Atlanta, driving the Confederates before them. Recent fighting has resulted in no casualties in Churchill's regiment, although he reports 16 wounded.

GLC03859.20

11 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports the evacuation of the enemy from their works the night before last, and men are now engaged in "reversing the rebel works." All is quiet as of this morning. Churchill tells how he spent the Fourth of July marching 16 miles or more, suffering terribly in the heat and the dust.

GLC03859.21

30 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports that he was involved in heavy fighting on both the 22nd and 28th, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The surgeon believes that there were 33 men wounded, one killed, and one who died of his wounds. There appears to be some sort of dispute involving money developing between Churchill and some people in his hometown: "…I will be at home after while my self then I will settle with some of them my self."

GLC03859.22

03 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Brief note enclosing his certificate of reenlistment.

GLC03859.23

09 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports little action, with the exception of the artillery exchanging shots now and then. Camp was moved this morning and all are now engaged in erecting shelter against the sun, heat, and rain. Churchill was on the skirmish line all the previous day in a torrential downpour and the rain continues today. Little attention is being paid to occasional rebel shells, as they are doing negligible damage.

GLC03859.24

24 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports very little going on: "[We] don't have ena thing [anything] to do onlee to eat and sleap." This respite apparently comes after a busy period of building works. Churchill received a letter from Olive in Illinois, who reports that "Andrew has enlisted and Weltha [?] is maried and her husben died in the armee about seven months after tha [they] was maried."

GLC03859.25

11 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill wishes his mother to know that he is alive and that he arrived at the hospital at David's Island from Wilmington, where he spent a month in the hospital there. Previously, he was a prisoner in Florence, S.C., where he suffered frostbite and lost all his toes.

GLC03859.26

16 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill would like his mother to send a box from home as his appetite is very good. Mrs. Robins laments the suffering of the soldiers, and urges the end of the war. She wishes no mercy for the South for their part in this "terrible tragedy."

GLC03859.27

28 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is making strides in his recovery, and believes that if he could get a furlough he could make the journey home, despite the fact that he cannot walk due to the condition of his feet. Mrs. Robins has hope that Col. Geer, who accompanied the prisoners from Wilmington to David's Island, may be able to secure a furlough for Churchill. A postscript indicates something of the conditions under which she writes: "…I am writing this in a great hurry and on my knee without even a book to rest on. I can, under some circumstances write at least a decent hand."

GLC03859.28

08 May 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill requests that his Uncle Nelson come and escort him home. He expects to be well enough to get out of bed in a few days.

GLC03859.29

15 May 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is well enough to go outdoors, but is not yet completely recovered. He requests ten to fifteen dollars from his mother to last him the remainder of his stay in the hospital, and expects to receive his discharge soon.

GLC03859.30

01 June 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill chastises his mother for not writing, and reminds her to send the money he requested previously. It was announced in the newspaper that all who have suffered in Southern prisons should be discharged with three months extra pay, thus he and others in the hospital should be coming home soon.

GLC03859.31

14 June 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill has still received no word from his mother, nor has he received any money from her. Mrs. Robins argues that the money is unnecessary, as he gets plenty to eat at the hospital. He is recovering rapidly and should be able to walk by the time he returns home.

GLC03859.32

17 June 1865

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Well Brothe."

Churchill's doctor has taken another bone out of his toe, thus his recovery has been slightly delayed. He seems bored and restless ("I can't find anything to do….I have nothing to write so I do this to amuse myself…"), and asks the recipient to send him a couple of pouches of tobacco.

GLC03859.33

June 29, 1865

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Drazilla Churchill

Churchill has finally received the letter and money sent by his mother. He writes of a few boys leaving the hospital each day, though there is no sign yet of his own discharge. His health is generally good, although he is bothered by an itch in his toes. Churchill bids his family a happy Fourth of July.

GLC03859.34

30 July 1900

Bodge, George M., 1841-1914

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Byron Churchill.

Bodge requests genealogical information concerning Churchill's immediate family. Bodge obtained Churchill's address through Isaac B. Churchill (Byron's uncle) of Glen Ellyn, Ill.

GLC03859.35

6 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes meeting generals George Washington and Charles Lee, who begged him to return to Roxbury and expressed great pleasure in the fortifications Knox had supervised the construction of. Tells a story about how General Lee tried to get a letter to General John Burgoyne during the battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775), to ask him to use his "influence and endeavor to Heal this unnatural break." Criticizes and offers corrections to a widely published account of Bunker Hill by British General Thomas Gage that claimed only 170 redcoats were killed. The Revolutionary War began at the battle…

GLC02437.00196

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

9 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her and expects to the following week. Expresses esteem for generals George Washington and Charles Lee. Of Washington, he writes: "General Washington fills his place with vast ease and dignity & dispenses happiness all around him." Of Lee: "Genl Lee will become very popular soon." Reports that he is going to visit Washington this evening.

GLC02437.00198

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the Continental Army in…

GLC02437.00199

10 August 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of cattle on Fishers Island, off Connecticut. Thinks he will see her Monday. The American Army got into a skirmish with British forces nearby at Plumb Island the day after this letter was written, the first reported clash between regulars in the Continental Army and the redcoats. Letter is dated Thursday morning 9 August 1775 but Thursday was actually…

GLC02437.00200

13 August 1775

Howland, Joseph, 1749-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he sent Knox some hosiery. Describes Norwich as confused. Discusses current preparations to defend against the British, who would like to seize their provisions. Calls the uncontested British seizure of provisions on Fishers Island the previous week shameful for the Americans. Interprets a letter from George Washington to the Rhode Island Committee of Correspondence in regard to transports as a reprimand. Asks Knox his rank and requests that he show the works at Roxbury and Cambridge to two of Howland's friends. Discusses forming a light infantry in Rhode Island and asks…

GLC02437.00201

25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions making daily excursions to Cambridge. Reports that General Charles Lee said William could easily get a commission, and Knox will discuss it further with George Washington and Horatio Gates. Knox wants William to join the artillery. Discusses the British troops' ineffectual cannon shot against the American works at Roxbury on 23 September 1775. Asks William to send one of the Watertown newspapers to Edward Parry, Esq. Some of the text on the original is faded.

GLC02437.00203

23 October 1775

Greenleaf, Joseph, 1720-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Docketed by George Washington. Forwards Knox a plan (not included) given to Greenleaf "by a country gentleman." He concludes that Knox could make the best use of it, commenting that "if it affords any good hints they will be improved by you for the public good." On verso, there is a brief notation believed to be in George Washington's hand: "200 Tons Hay /10,000 Cords W."

GLC02437.00207