15 April 1901

Gordon, John Brown, 1832-1904

Typed letter signed

Title: to John William Flinn

Informs Professor Flinn that he is unable to attend the reunion of the South Carolina Veterans in May.

GLC04573.09

January 30, 1903

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to John William Flinn

Wilson writes to Reverend Flinn. Acknowledges a letter concerning Wilson's father: "It really gives me very deep comfort to hear such word about my father from those who really knew and appreciated him." Also replies that he does not know much about George's studies and preparations for teaching. Wilson has crossed out "Flynn" and inserted the correct spelling, "Flinn."

GLC04573.10

11 December 1889

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Manuscript

Title: [Memorial ribbon and explanatory note]

The ribbon is pinned across the top of an explanatory note entitled "Jefferson Davis Memorial Badge," written by J. W. Flinn. The note indicates that the Flinn wore the ribbon at South Carolina' memorial service for Jefferson Davis. The note mourns the "dead President of the dead Confederacy," describes his himself as "a native of Mississippi -- a member of the 17th Mississippi Regiment and a personal friend of Jefferson Davis and of the Cause for which her [Nellie Flinn's] father fought & bled."

GLC04573.11

22 March 1884

O'Brien, Thomas B., fl. 1884

Manuscript signed

Title: to John William Flinn

Notification that he has been elected as an honorary member of the association. Written on stationery of the "Army of Northern Virginia Benevolent Association, Louisiana Division."

GLC04573.12

November 1893

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Typed document

Title: A Southern Soldier's Experiences in a Northern Prison

Originally written for the students of a "lady cousin" who was concerned her pupils were being misinformed about the "kind treatment of Southern Soldiers in Northern prisons." Flinn later presented the address at "S. C. College Nov. 1893." He begins by providing a brief history of his military service and then launches into an in-depth description of his sufferings as a prisoner at Point Lookout, Maryland from July 1864 to March 1865. The manuscript contains a two-page description of the camp's physical layout. Flinn emphasizes the inadequate clothing, foul water, bitter cold, and ravenous…

GLC04573.13

17 June 1867

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Misdated, possibly 17 June 1868. Explains to his wife that he does not write often because the post office is very far away. He believes the mountain air is good for him and feels better than he has in ten years. Says that the food seems to taste better and describes camp life and his natural surroundings. Reports having found gold, though he is not sure if it is a sign of more to come. Adds that he is in Trinity County, California, on the Trinity River.

GLC04672.01

25 April to 8 May 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Conger

Writes to his wife detailing his journey from the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. Writes aboard the Aspenwall and the Oregonian, from the coasts of Nicaragua, Mexico, and California. Describes the Panamanian natives and an old town that had been a Spanish settlement. Other observations include descriptions of the coastlines, native villages visible from the ship, a detailed description of a small child's burial at sea, and his complaint about the ship's services since they left Panama. The pages in the letter are numbered by Conger in an upper corner of each page. Imprint on upper…

GLC04672.02

15 May 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne Conger

Writes to his wife that he has stopped in Sacramento due to illness. Writes about his plans to continue to Plumas County by steamboat, stage, and sleigh. Due to the difficulty in transportation, he may not be able to write often. The included envelope possibly held this letter.

GLC04672.03

1 June 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife that he has walked 120 miles in four days and still has another 130 miles to go into the mountains. His feet are sore but he feels great. Describes sleeping on the ground and the arduous journey ahead of him. The included envelope possibly held this letter.

GLC04672.04

24 June 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife that he is working hard for his mining company. Reports that the weather is cold and that the nearest post office is forty miles away. Describes the food and says that the men in the company take turns cooking and baking. The salutation reads "Mrs. R.A. Conger," for Ruth Ann.

GLC04672.05

6 July 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife about how mountain life agrees with him. Describes the local mountain men as uncivilized and sickly. Reports that he is in Indian country where the natives are killing the new settlers and plans on leaving for Red Bluff in the morning.

GLC04672.06

23 August 1868

Conger, Levi P., fl. 1824-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ann Conger

Writes to his wife about the lack of correspondence he has received, and desperately wishes to hear from her. Explains that Gurkes Ranch is a 150-acre vineyard and describes all the fruit he has been eating. He wishes he was able to send Ann a basket of fruit. Written at Gurke's Ranch.

GLC04672.07

10 September 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

The regiment's journey from Elmira to Baltimore by rail. Their march through the city, his wish for "the shoulder straps of a captain instead of a Lieut[ant's]."

GLC04703.01

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

January 22, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Says that he is disturbed by the news that the family has not received any of his letters. Expresses joy at the arrest of one deserter from his unit and wonders why another has not been arrested as well. Scolds his family for publishing his letters in the Chenango American. Asks about friends at home and describes members of the regiment who are sick.

GLC04703.03

January 30, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

20 February 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 21 February. Receives photographs of his family and comments on their "over sanctimonious countenances." Lists some of his duties including distributing clothing to contrabands, and attending to the complaint of a Negro who was shot by an overseer. Says that Blacks were brought in to repair the levee which burst during the night. "The great annoying question now is how to dispose of these Negroes. The authorities are trying to induce them to return to their former masters and work for small wages..."

GLC04703.05

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His leg and ankle are swollen. The regiments receives orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with a blanket, change of clothes and a few days rations. Held together by two contemporary postage stamps.

GLC04703.07

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

13 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is in the hospital with jaundice. He had been sick for a week, but put off getting medical attention because he felt an engagement was immanent.

GLC04703.09

23 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is still in the hospital. Reassures his family that he is getting better. Acknowledges receipt of a package (the cheese was spoiled but he appreciated the brandy). General Banks orders Dederer and two other captains to report for duty or tender their resignations. The captains decide to resign. Dederer's doctor sent a letter certifying his illness and declaring him unfit for duty. [Accompanying envelope appears as if the stamp has been clipped.] [According to Civil War Day by Day, Federal troops at Brashear City surrendered on 6/23/1863.]

GLC04703.10

14 July 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Writing from the Marine Hospital, Dederer, with the New York Volunteer Regiment notes the success of Grant at Vicksburg. His opinion of pardoning rebel soldiers: "Gen'l Butler is the damned'st Scoundrel in the whole Federal Army, but it needs such a man to deal with these pretended senior men; men who just as soon as our backs are turned render all the possible aid and comfort to these small armies or bands of Guerrillas. I would not allow so many of them to take the oath, as but few of them regard it as all binding, and it only furnishes them with a cloak by which they hide their…

GLC04703.11

17 November 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

"A man in charge of a gang of Negroes at work on the Levee Shot a Negro and then came over here to deliver himself up to me . . . . [T]he only offense of the Negro was that he refused to work . . . ." Also writes that sugar season is coming to an end and he fears that the blacks will be forced to steal once they become unemployed. He promises to send sugar and molasses home.

GLC04703.12

circa 1863

Photograph

Title: Signal corps station, Lookout Mtn

Pencil inscription on verso: "Signal corps station, Lookout Mtn." Partial view of the signal tower taken from the base of the hill.

GLC04749.01