7 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He advises his family not to worry about writing him when he's marching because the mail follows closely behind. Writes that it is sixty-eight miles to Nashville by railroad and there are too many men to transport by train. Some of the men have fallen out since they began marching but he supposes they may have been taken to Missouri.

GLC07460.004

13 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He writes that it took two days to travel from Bowling Green to Scottsville because the roads were rough and the wagons so heavily loaded the wheels had to be chained to go downhill. Comments that men and women, "meager looking whips," are often seen along the road. Observes that most of the townspeople do not side with the Secesh, but did vote for "Southern rights".

GLC07460.005

26 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler has just marched fourteen miles to Gallatin, Tennessee and writes that he doesn't mind the marching as much as he used to. The letter is continued on Thursday, November 27th; Thanksgiving day. Wheeler writes that he will not march today but reports that there is talk of sending the company to Murfreesboro for rear guard. He mentions that Gallatin is the most beautiful town he's seen in a long time. There are many secessionists in the town and Lysander hopes that one day "we can go right in and clean them right out." He claims he is "willing to march to the Gulf of Mexico if we…

GLC07460.007

21 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler writes that his brother-in-law, Darius has been very ill and has not been on duty since they left Bowling Green, Kentucky. Furthermore, Darius is currently waiting for General Rosecrans to sign his discharge papers. Reports that they have been on the lookout for John Morgan and Kirby Smith. He writes that there are only about four or five hundred Union men at this lookout point while it is said that the rebels are eight thousand strong. In response to being outnumbered he writes that "it seems to be the policy of this war to put but few men in the places that need guarding the…

GLC07460.008

29 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he is anxious to receive a letter from Darius assuring that he arrived home safely. Wheeler expresses tremendous relief for the discharge of his brother-in-law and writes that Darius was very concerned about leaving Lysander behind. Reports that [Confederate General John Hunt Morgan] has not come after them yet and that they are currently building a fort should he attack. Writes that there has been no mail for three or four days due to torn up tracks. Requests that he be sent pepper, saleratus (salt), a bottle of ink, and some tea.

GLC07460.009

circa September

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he will not be coming home on a furlough. Inquires on how her Sabbath school picnic went in Washington. Writes that there was an expedition in Louisiana to seek out the rebels. Reports that his brigade did not go on the expedition, they had to stay behind and guard Natchez, Louisiana. Reports that the rebels had sharpshooters that shot their men before they could be seen and that they blew up the magazine. Notes that they burnt the works before they left. Sumner Sayles' sister, Isora Sayles, has married and now goes by the name Isora Skinkle.

GLC03523.32.21

11 June 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania. Mentions that they are under strict rules in the camp; two pages of paper are issued each day to a company and they can wash in the river every other day. Writes about a fellow who was court marshaled yesterday for striking an officer. The man had to spend five days imprisoned; he was then marched out of camp and taken to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was given a new suit and 30 dollars. Most of the camp took the man's side because the officer had abused him. A fight later broke out in camp where some men pushed the guards around.…

GLC03523.49.01

11 August 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Gibson. Says that they are placing a masked battery about a mile from camp. Writes that they are clearing an area of trees that is about a mile in width. Says that 14 men out of his company were chopping down trees yesterday and today. Reports that they are about nine miles from Fairfax Court House where there is a rebel camp. They have picket guards in place between them and the rebel camp with the bridge being heavily guarded. Describes an impending battle that General [Winfield] Scott is planning. He is preparing a masked battery to relieve the picket…

GLC03523.49.04

January 30, 1862

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Abraham Lincoln

Signed by Hannibal Hamlin as Vice President. Also signed by members of Congress including Representatives from Maine; Lot Myrick Morrill, John N. Goodwin, Charles Wesley Walton, John H. Rice, Frederick Augustus Pike, Anson Peaslee Morrill, and Ohio Representatives; William P. Cutler, and Albert Gallatin Riddle. Recommends William Archer for promotion to lieutenancy in the regular army. Praises his history in the service. Describes his loyalty to the Union even when tempted with bribes from the other traitorous soldiers and rebel forces. With endorsements and notes on verso. One stating…

GLC05603.01.10

February 12, 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Collector of Customs, Alexandria, Virginia

Orders that the Commanding Officer of the Brig Perry require all vessels to produce a certified list of their crew from the Custom house at Georgetown or Alexandria. This is to prevent parties from avoiding the pass system on the Potomac by claiming to be part of the crew of a vessel.

GLC05603.01.21

2 April 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Complains about not getting any correspondence from his family. Comments on the "abolitionizing" of his hometown. Chides his sister for associating with "blue coats" and abolitionists and advises her not to flaunt her associations as some people will hate her for it. He writes: I would rather see you fight open and above board against our cause than cloak your enmity under the treacherous disguise of reconstructionist." (As an individual state, Tennessee had entered its reconstruction period before the end of the Civil War). Discusses…

GLC02232.30

17 July 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that their brother Marshall has returned from the hospital. As Ward had no immediate occupation to assign to his brother, he sent his brother back to the hospital and put him in the charge of one of the surgeons. He writes that Marshall is better off working in the hospital as he is paid $25 per month, which takes care of clothing and other necessities. Comments on the heavy trading of tobacco with Union soldiers. Some of the Confederate soldiers were found trading with the Union soldiers and have been punished. Ward describes the "ominous stillness" of the two armies; the calm…

GLC02232.32

7 August 1864

Thurman, B.S., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Ward

Written from the battle line near Atlanta, Georgia. Encloses the obituary for Ed Ward, which includes the autograph of each member of the company. He writes that Ed was beloved and esteemed by all of the men in the company. Informs Dr. Ward that Ed was first buried by the enemy which was unavoidable, but has since been reburied by the company men (including his brother Samuel Marshall Ward) in Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC02232.33

31 December 1862

Jones, Maxine Harris, fl. 1860-1920

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Jones

Letter from his wife, signed "Max." Expresses her fears, anxiety, and despair over the war. Says they have heard bombing all day. Writes, "what agony would be mine to-night, did I not know this field of duty to your Country calls you, leads not to constant exposure on the field of battle, &c that today your dear bosom has not be exposed to those missles of death hurled by our enemies."

GLC03135.13.043

circa 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Describes how they were supposed to go to Cincinnati, Ohio but just as they loaded the train car they received orders to stay put because their destination had changed. Discusses how the men behaved the night before they were supposed to leave for Cincinnati, Ohio. Describes them as building a great bonfire out of old barrels and pieces of boards and giving speeches. Writes, "you would not have known them when they had to come back by their actions for they was as sober as Deacons when they came back." Notes that several of the boys said that they would prefer being…

GLC03523.32.03

circa 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the condition of a friend of theirs named Spencer. Writes that the last time he saw Spencer was back at the junction in the hospital and that he heard that he was really sick. Notes that a gentleman told him that Spencer did not know anything at all for four days but that he has since improved. Comments that the rebels burned down the depot at Abbeville, Mississippi just before they arrived. Reports that several thousands of dollars were lost in property. They managed to save about 100 dollars in horse shoes, sugar molasses, and iron pots. Apologizes for not…

GLC03523.32.04

27 August 1862

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he and the boys are well. Discusses promotions that have been given out in his company. Notes that two of their sergeants were promoted to captains in "Negro Companys." Comments on all the marriages, including hers, that have taken place back home. Writes of how he would have liked to see the fight between two men that took place back home. Request that she has their father send him some stamps. Pages five through six are on a separate leaf measuring 19.3 x 11.9 cm.

GLC03523.32.05

February 22, 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister about the men in camp. Writes of one man who is really sick in the hospital and of another who had "yelow janders" [yellow jaundice?]. Comments that several of the boys have had it. Describes his camp as being low and flat and that when it rains it gets very wet and muddy. The mud is so thick that it covers the men's boots and they cannot leave their tents without getting their feet wet. Requested that she writes him and tells him what the folks back home are doing.

GLC03523.32.06

circa 1862-1865

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from a camp two miles outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Mentions having some hard marches since they have been there. Comments that they have marched some 200 miles. Thanks her or his father (he does not know which one) for sending him stamps. Informs her about a man named Spencer dying of typhoid. Reports that his captain is on a furlough because he accidentally shot himself in the arm. The envelope has an image of a women and a flag on it.

GLC03523.32.07

22 March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Sends his best wishes to everyone back home. Comments that he has not been sick since he has been in "Dixie." Writes that he is sorry to hear how many people are sick and dying back home. Describes how he would like to see all the deserters caught and returned to the regiment so they can see what soldiering is like. Informs her that he is not tired of soldiering yet. They completed cutting a canal through the levy last night. Mentions that some believe the whole lower part of Louisiana will flood. Writes of hearing cannons in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi every day and says…

GLC03523.32.08

March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he was happy to hear that people are still patriotic. Comments he was happy to hear their late friend Spencer's body was returned home to his family. Mentions how he would like to see the Havens family begin teaching at a school. Believes that the Havens are the most capable to fill the station. Request that his sister tells a man named Arvin that, "he must not get in a pet at any thing if he wants to Succeed with the girls for they are Curious beings one has to pet them as he would any other pet or else they will sack him." Wishes her and everyone else back home…

GLC03523.32.09

6 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he sent 30 dollars by express to a man named Mr. Wells. Reports that there were 560 rebels who were marched into their camp the other night and that another 6000 to 8000 were taken in the same place. Writes that they are planning on taking them to Cincinnati, Ohio and exchanging them for our boys. Comments that he has heard that he may have another brother. Written on paper with an image of a liberty and the Union flag with a boat in the background. The ink has bled through the paper making some of the words illegible.

GLC03523.32.10

10 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he will be marching out today towards Black River, Mississippi. Writes of a man named Nathan shooting himself in the hand, and says that his middle finger is now an inch back. Mentions various men in the army and reports on what they are up to and how they are doing. Comments on hearing big guns fired in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they took Grand Gulf, Mississippi and captured somewhere between 600 and 800 prisoners. Notes that some people believe that the prisoners have done their last fighting while others believe that they will be…

GLC03523.32.11

21 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from camp Fort Hill, two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Discusses charging on the enemy last Tuesday. Describes having to charge over a large hill and fallen timber and brush where they then laid low and fired on the enemy. Reports that seven of their men were killed and 52 wounded. Writes that a man a named Robert Meade from his company was killed on the field and that Meade's brother who was right beside him was wounded and had to be carried off the field.

GLC03523.32.12

29 May 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister from a camp two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they have stormed the enemy's works twice, once on the 19th of May and the other on the 22nd of May. Writes that his company did not lose any men in the last assault, however, another company suffered heavy casualties, losing several men and wounding many others. Notes that several Captains were killed in the battle. Describes one of the men dying from a bullet entering through his neck and exiting out of his mouth.

GLC03523.32.13