January 5, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about getting settled in the tenement. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.123

January 8, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Col. Dutton has left the 21st. very cold. He tells her not to lose her faith in God Almighty. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.124

January 12, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He lost his pocket memorandum the day before as it fell out of his pocket. mentions a doctor Lee he has made friends with. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.126

January 13, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is glad she got a tenement house, but wishes she would get a hired girl so she does not have to work too hard. He recalls several warm memories. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.127

January 14, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He compares winter in Virginia to winter in Rockville. He describes his "little darkie servant."Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.128

January 15, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Writes of how officers are paid.Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.129

January 16, 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is worried about Charlie. Discusses the rooming situation again. whenever he hears of any problems, he yearns for her. Written in camp opposite Fredericksburg

GLC02744.130

16 October 1863

Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Colonel Stricklan

Asa requests the return of a contraband cook by the name of George Washington who left the 25th Michigan under persuasion of officers from the 5th Ohio. [On the same piece of paper is the return letter.] 1863/10/18 Seargon, NJ, Colonel Commily to Asa W. Slayton Commily found George Washington among the 50th brigade. He vows to send him back on the first train in Munfordville. Expresses willingness to arrested the Captain who was harboring Washington and offers Slayton the opportunity to press charges, as he will send the captain to Lamillla for trial.

GLC03955.05

15 April 1862

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor is separated from his regiment which is serving in Alabama. He is in a convalescent camp in Nashville, Tennessee where he has recently been recovering, but is still plagued with cramps. He makes one of his many references to the state of agriculture and the weather in the South.

GLC03791.001

12 June 1862

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor has regrouped with his regiment in Mississippi. He mentions a minor battle at "pitsburg landing" and few small skirmishes, but mostly observes the extent of his travels. He makes mention of several changes in leadership: the resignation of several officers and the accidental drowning of a lieutenant colonel.

GLC03791.002

25 December 1862

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor discusses the restlessness and anxiety of soldiers under fire but not engaged in any battles. He points out that the soldiers are still performing their duties however, even if they are playing cards. He expresses hope that he won't have to drill now that his regiment is fighting more frequently.

GLC03791.003

February 13, 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the Battle of Stones Creek and its aftermath for the regiment. He writes that the enemy killed or wounded eighteen in the regiment and that his colonel was drunk during the fight. Cranor speculates that this drunk Colonel will be mustered out of the service soon as a result. Despite the bad news, he writes that "it wouldent doo for a Soldier to get discouraged" and praises Rosecrans. He lauds the new commander of the Army of the Cumberland at the expense of Rosecrans' successor Don Carlo Buell, noting Rosecrans bravery and attempts to rally the troops during the battle.

GLC03791.004

March 19, 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor acknowledges a letter from March 8 that he received. He comments again on the weather and the general review of the troops. He makes a few disparaging comments about boys who would not come unless drafted, but on the subject of such a draft writes that "Unkle sam never dose any thing but what is fare."

GLC03791.005

3 May 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: While camped near Murfreesboro in the months following the Battle of Stones Creek, Cranor describes how the Union soldiers have generally been causing trouble for the Confederates. He writes about Union "devilment" in McMinnville that resulted in the capture of 356 Confederate prisoners and the recapture of 15 Union men as well as the burning of houses, bridges, trains and a cotton factory, and the taking of meat and corn. He also briefly mentions some of the displaced families of the south. The troops took in several under Rosecrans demand that they make and oath of loyalty to the…

GLC03791.006

16 July 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the wet and muddy march from Murfreesboro to Pelham on the way to Chattanooga. He briefly mentions recent losses from small skirmishes but notes general success in getting the rebels of out Tennessee. He writes that Bragg's troops are deserting to Union lines and that the Confederacy s "losing from every point." He writes that at the end of his three year term he wants to enlist as cavalry if the war is still going on.

GLC03791.007

15 October 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor refers to the Copperhead movement and Vallandigham's unsuccessful run for Ohio's governorship. He mentions that it has been a while since his brigade has seen action and was not involved in the most recent skirmish and has instead been involved in fort building. He makes passing reference to the fact that long and vulnerable supply lines forced a cut in rations but reports that the good health of his company.

GLC03791.008

28 November 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Written in the aftermath of the Battles for Chattanooga, Cranor reports that he is among the living, but that his company had lost eighteen men from his company leaving only sixteen. He describes three charges that his brigade made and lists the local dead. "I don't think there was ever more bravery displayed on a battel field than there was here."

GLC03791.009

14 April 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

The regiment had a good time back in Indianapolis. He says that while he felt comfortable returning to the front because "soldieren seams naturel as ever." The men had left Indianapolis at 4 in the afternoon of April 13 and were headed back to the front. He said that he will send a photograph and asks that she send hers.

GLC03791.010

21 April 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Cranor reports his return to Chattanooga by train. He came through as a guard and didn't have to march. Despite the comfortable passage he reports that most want to return home but he himself does not with to go: "I would not take a discharge if they would offer it to me[.]" He thinks that he will go to the front soon and reports that he got a Henry rifle.

GLC03791.011

20 May 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Briefly discusses the campaign for Atlanta and his company's role in it: the sabotage of Confederate railroads. He again mentions the state of the corn fields. Though he predicts that the end is in sight "but if it lasts ten years I Shall stay if I live[.] I am going to see it over with[.]"

GLC03791.012

22 May 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: [Written on prepared stationery for a beau at war] Cranor reports from the front lines of the battles in Georgia. He tells Delia that one mutual acquaintance is adjusting well to soldier life and that his messmate was shot at the Battle of Resaca in Georgia.

GLC03791.013

1 June 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

While the Battle near Dallas rages Cranor tells Delia that someone from their neighborhood was shot and wounded and the tale of a few men who spent six days in jail. He asks for clarification of a joke she made about him in her last letter. He has had problems with photographs that he wants to send to her.

GLC03791.014

3 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Written from the frontlines of the Atlanta Campaign Cranor reports that he has seen the worst of fighting, even more so than Stones River and Missionary Ridge. He wrote "that day was the first time ever I thought of getting killed in battel when we was fighting just to look and see men falling like they did." His company sustained heavy casualties: "we had 44 men I beleave, now we have twelve men for duty." He finishes on the topic of the photographs.

GLC03791.015

30 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports on the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20th during the Atlanta campaign. Though he reports victory: ("if ever men melted away it was the rebbels when our Brigade let inoto on them"). He also observes the jumbled changes of command and affirms that his new Colonel is indeed "true blue."

GLC03791.016

5 September 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the trickery that led to the fall of Atlanta. His regiment again worked primarily on the railroads and reports that casualites for the regiment were light. He describes the general love for General Sherman who masterminded the "worst whippin [the rebels] ever got[.]" He tells Delia he will send her a letter he took off of a dead Confederate [not included in the collection.]

GLC03791.017