December 28, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Discusses the metaphoric "dark cloud" that hangs over the country and his feelings of disheartenment. Mentions the high rate of desertion, including a "rascal" who borrowed $100 from the other soldiers before deserting.

GLC02155.074

December 31, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Reports, "all appears quiet here..." Notes that the previous Sunday, "Stewart's Cavalry threatened to make a raid on this Road..." Asks about the well being of his father.

GLC02155.075

January 12, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Notes Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, will not allow his regiment to return to "the state," possibly Pennsylvania, where he is from. Refers to a victory of [General William] Rosecrans "in the South West" (possibly the Battle of Stones River). Writes, "But i am afraid it is dearly won when we look at the immense loss of life... our men have got in earnest and the Rebels will fight to the death... it will never Be settled now till one side [or] the other is whipped and it will never be the north..."

GLC02155.076

January 16, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Reports that he is under marching orders. Comments on his father's well being (his father is also apparently in the service). Notes, "tell him i am not now the Puny little sickly looking soninlaw i was when he saw me at Sharpsburg, but a Regular Big fat live corporal with an apetite [sic] that is death on hard tack..."

GLC02155.077

January 24, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Describes marching to Falmouth, Virginia. Referring to Burnside's Mud March, writes: "Burnside army got fast in the mud, although as usual they had the Old Pa Reserves for their wheel Horses we could not help them in this fix." Adds, "Poor Burnside i Pitty him for i Believe he tries to do his Best, But McClellan is the only man that is able to Command this Army."

GLC02155.078

January 26, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Mentions that his father, who is also in the military, is ward master of an unspecified hospital. Writes, "in this letter you filled a large space with the doings of of [sic] the Government all you sad [sic] is true i Believe, yet you folks do not know the one half that is carried on in this war, it is getting worse and worse, it is dimond cut dimond among the Politicians and the soldier is the Real Nigger now."

GLC02155.079

February 15, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Describes his recent march from Alexandria via Manassas Road and Fairfax Court House. Mentions a mutiny in his company; Miller sided with the officers. Writes, "the Division is Ruined."

GLC02155.081

February 16, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Reports that although he did not take part in his regiment's recent refusal to disobey orders, he does not blame the men for doing so, since they recently had to march a long way through mud and water. Notes that they are under the command of Brigadier General Hayes.

GLC02155.082

February 23, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Describes another miserable night on picket. Notes that they will receive four months pay the following month.

GLC02155.084

February 24, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Comments on a recent situation in which some men in his regiment refused to obey orders; he previously described the incident to Lile and now reprimands her for reading the letter to another woman. Expresses his melancholy mood, writing, "Dear Lile i cannot look at People and the world as i one [sic] did."

GLC02155.085

6 March 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Comments on the draft: "...the Conscription Act... comes down verry heavily on the men from 21 to 35 years of age, But it is only what they should have done one year ago, had they have given Genl McClellan six (hundred) thousand or the half of that number [when] we were on the Peninsula last spring..." Describes the complicated process of obtaining a furlough. Heard a report that General [John] F. Reynolds is angry about how his regiment is treated. Gives news of his promotion to first corporal.

GLC02155.086

17 September 1862

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Informs his wife that he is using Howard Mitchell's back as a writing surface, as his regiment pauses briefly during a march. Says he has been the corporal of his guard for only twenty-four hours. Ends the letter abruptly because his line has started to move. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.138

17 September 1862

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Notes he and the other soldiers think that they will be "getting in the cars for Hagerstown," but they are not positive. Says he is presently in a field, using his tin plate as a writing surface. Despite talks of Hagerstown, Maryland he believes that his regiment will be doing work until March. Mentions that his sole desire is to throw "these miserable miscreants from our homes."

GLC06559.139

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his "Dear Wife" on his "Way to Hagerstown." Informs his wife he will mail this letter at the "first stopping place" his regiment reaches. Discusses the soldiers' inexperience, wishing that they had more time to drill. Despite their lack of experience, says the men are willing to go into battle and do their best. Writes he has resigned himself to the fact that he may not survive the war, and he asks that she realize this as well. Tells her that he will see both her and "our little ones" in Heaven. In a postscript, he asks that she remember him to Harriet Jacobs.

GLC06559.140

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment completed a march of about twenty miles, and finally arrived in Hagerstown on Friday afternoon. Notes they expected an attack last night from [General Stonewall] Jackson and "several thousand men." Says they spent the night "lying on their arms to receive him, but he did not come." Mentions that Stan's Battery was stationed on a hill, making a human wall across the entire hill and neighboring road. His regiment reinforced their barricade, so that if the rebels attacked, "a warm reception awaited them." Because the rebel troops did not come, they believe that "…

GLC06559.141

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Mentions that his regiment just halted in front of stores in the main street of Hagerstown. Says a battle has been occurring throughout the day on the outskirts of the town. Notes the battle appears to have turned in favor of the Union side because "the rebels are getting badly used up." Says that ambulances are bringing in the wounded, and a Philadelphia man from Anderson's troop was just killed. Letter ends abruptly with a farewell and a wish of love to all.

GLC06559.142

circa 1861-1864

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Necessity. Notes he is presently in the Cumberland Valley, which he says has "high mountains covered with forests." Writes his regiment just finished an "awful march over the most dusty road thee ever beheld," to join [General George] McClellan's lines. Says Rush's cavalry joined their lines, while Murphy's 29th Pennsylvania Regiment occupied the town. Says that when the battle ceased, the results were announced as favorable, because "McClellan has the rebels surrounded." To reach the town, his regiment marched all last night, and all of the morning, with periodical halts…

GLC06559.143

circa 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Informs her of his regiment's arrival in Harrisburg at two o'clock in the morning. Says the regiment is camping with the 23rd Brooklyn regiment, which Ogden describes as "a fine set of men." Knowing that the company is composed mainly of "men of business," he believes that if a six-month term of service is required, most of the men "will return home as soon as the occasion warrants." Mentions General [Robert] Milroy's troops, who have just returned from having "retreated from Virginia," and requests that Ogden not forget "[his] Life Insurance." Sends his love.

GLC06559.144

21 June 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Russell. Says he has not been able to write for a long time, but reports his health is very good and his duty as an orderly sergeant is keeping him busy. Believes his Captain, William Allen, is a "fine officer and the men are all pleased with him." Mentions he and his first and second lieutenants were invited by their Quartermaster, to tea at his father's house in Harrisburg. Says the inhabitants of Harrisburg became frightened and removed valuables from the city, when news of the rebel onslaught was received. Asks she sends him some of his cards in the next letter, so…

GLC06559.145

22 June 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Russell. Says they have had good weather since they left, and he mentions that both Alfred and William are doing well. Notes Private McLaughlin was injured "very severely while bathing in the canal last week, striking his head upon a stone while diving; he was sent home with some friends." Asks her to caution "Perot" because New York troops are arriving at Camp Certain. Explains that men are "compelled" to join the regiment because the duty only lasts for a period of thirty days. He compares this recruiting method to that of Pennsylvania, which requires that men join the…

GLC06559.146

12 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife from camp near Waynesboro. Says after arriving in Waynesboro and "resting for a day, we were sent on a reconnaisance [sic] in force (our whole division) under Sam Smith into 'My Maryland.'" They came within a short distance of Hagerstown, Maryland, where the rebels were evacuating. The men marched through wheat and corn fields, "under a broiling sun," over rocks, through woods, and over creeks. While on the march, they found a group of rebels foraging at a mill. Says he has not had "a change of underclothing for over 10 days, this of course with no convenience for…

GLC06559.147

12 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from a field near the Maryland border. Says his regiment has not received any rations, and they have "been on short allowance" since they left Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The men have been buying their own bread, and they finally got coffee today. He complains that he had bread and mustard for dinner yesterday, but realizes that "such is the life of a soldier." There are presently only a few soldiers who have taken sick, and he feels that Dr. Darrack, their surgeon, is "very attentive and kind." Recently, he called on Dr. Neil who is the Medical Director and Surgeon in Chief to this…

GLC06559.148

14 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from his camp near Hagerstown. Says his regiment left their camp at Waynesboro, [Pennsylvania], and marched "through pelting rain." They arrived just outside of Hagerstown last evening and found that the rebels were occupying the town. Mentions that [General Robert E.] Lee's army has not yet crossed the Potomac, but says that this is merely "the lull before the storm." General [George] Meade's army "is being posted, preparatory to the great struggle approaching." The letter ends abruptly because the regiment has just been ordered to move forward. In closing, Ogden states, "what…

GLC06559.149

circa 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife over a three day period, Sunday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday morning. Sunday afternoon: Writes that the men marched from Hagerstown, Maryland to their present site, "leaving there, last night about midnight, & halting on the route for an hour or two sleep." Says they left Hagerstown because the rebels retreated across the Potomac, so they were "ordered to the old Keystone once more." He describes the scene at Williamsport, Maryland, in which his regiment lay within four miles of the battle site, hearing "flashes & reports of the guns & musketry."…

GLC06559.150

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment has been selected for a term of duty lasting three months, unless they get an earlier discharge. Says his regiment was digging trenches "all last night," while ammunition was being distributed to the soldiers. Notes he is unaware of their destination or their plan, but he is hoping for the best. He closes the letter by giving his love and stating that he will be sending the letter via his friend, W. Jenk.

GLC06559.151