20 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from camp. Describes living in small tents with three other men. Reports not having a cook or a stove. Notes they do all their cooking over the fire, meet twice a day for bread and coffee, and get three meals a day. Writes, " I am harty [sic] enough to eat a raw mule and chase the rider."

GLC03523.52.49

21 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders for tomorrow. Relays a rumor that General Robert E. Lee may be heading towards Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and they may head there too. Notes he sent a trunk of clothes home so he would not have to haul them. Discusses that his band made an appeal to the Secretary of War. Comments he is very discouraged and wants an honorable discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.50

January 27, 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Re Burnside's ill-fated "Mud March." Firsthand account by a soldier in the 1st Mass. Volunteers, who writes to his brother: "…nor did our movement benefit the 'Glorious Cause' in the least, except it cause Burnside to be removed and a better man put in his boots, Say McClellan and then the movement will be of a vast benefit to that suffering part of the community known as the Army of the Potomac. I don't know as I am much the worse off now for the jaunt through the mud, and if Burnside be removed I will not complain but I think I got off cheaply, for it was about time for another slaughter,…

GLC09370

February 21, 1865

Owen, John, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James

Captain of 36th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, mentions the locations of fellow Harvard alums, including "[Robert Todd] Lincoln in the army," and the health of those released from POW camps. He announces the news that "at this moment [received from] the Orderly…'By telegraph…a despatch from Admiral Dahlgren that Charleston is evacuated & that he is running up to take possession - you will fire a…salute…for the Capture of Charleston & Columbia, U.S. Grant.…' Hurra for Dahlgren & Sherman - The fall of Ch. & Columbia ­ Yea! verily the end approaches & one last fight more…

GLC09371

9 July 1862

Broadside

Title: [Orders from the State of Maine]

Two Executive Orders and three General Orders from the State of Maine, printed together, re the necessity of raising additional troops for the Union cause. Bottom of page is a statement addressed to "the Patriotic Citizen Soldiery of Maine: …With the $100 cash bounty … the advantages of entering the service by voluntary enlistment, rather than by being detached or drafted, are most apparent. The adoption of the latter course, for want of volunteers, while it will deprive our citizens of the Government Bounty, premium and advance pay, will also deprive them of the honor of volunteering in this…

GLC09372

19 October 1865

Fendall, Philip Richard II, 1794-1868

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert J. Walker

Marked "copy." Contains two letters. The first is a copy of a letter from Philip R. Fendall to Robert J. Walker, former Secretary of the Treasury, asking for Walker's help in getting his son James an appointment at the Customs House in New Orleans. Explains how James came to serve in the Confederate Army while the rest of his family remained Unionist, but argues that James is of good character and has taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. Asks if Walker will write on his behalf to the current Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh McCulloch. In the second letter, Walker writes a…

GLC03135.11.11

July 24, 1861

Hollingsworth, William T., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes a detailed letter to his brother in which he discusses the Battle of Bull Run (fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia). He reports 500 Confederate soldiers were killed, another 1500 wounded, and some 7,000 or 8,000 Union soldiers killed or wounded. Envelope is green with 1861 "PORTSMOUTH." Draft transcript is available.

GLC00653.20.02

March 10, 1862

Hollingsworth, William T., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. He discusses the Confederacy's "brilliant naval victory" in Hampton Roads, between the Merrimac and the Monitor. He also reports the damages inflicted on the Union frigates, the Cumberland, the Congress, and the Minnesota, noting the Congress was sunk within the first thirty minutes. The Battle of Hampton Roads, also known as the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a naval battle that took place on March 8 and 9, 1862, off Sewell's Point, near Hampton Roads, Virginia. Envelope includes a green or blue ten cent postage stamp. Draft transcript is…

GLC00653.20.05

1861-1862

Clegg, William, fl. 1859-1907

Diary

Title: [Diary of William Clegg, I company, 2nd Infantry, Louisiana]

Diary of a Confederate Sergeant in Louisiana 2nd Infantry (somewhat inaccurate; see 10 June 1861 entry) which includes detailed entries on the movement of his regiment, and skirmishes with Union forces. Includes a rough sketch of the Battle of Bethel Church in Hampton, Virginia, various songs, drawings, and personal reflections. The diary is entirely in pencil, and parts of it are smudged. Fragile.

GLC03133.11

11 April 1864

Denson, Virginius S., fl. 1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Denson

Writes to his brother discussing possible movements of his regiment. Also mentions General Grant; his desire to see "old Abe" defeated.

GLC03135.02.05

20 April 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

Their gunboats are currently attacking the Rebels. He talks about selling the farm and what price she may actually be able to get for it.

GLC06588.022

22 April 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He changes his mind about the lowest price he will accept for the farm. He warns her to trust Kniffin. He lets her in on the news that there is a large Union force where he is and it is increasing.

GLC06588.023

23 April 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore [incomplete]

There has not been so much firing of the gunboats lately. There is no immediate prospect of the Rebels making an attack.

GLC06588.024

25-26 April 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He had a great dinner recently but is sorry she sent him money because he expects to get paid soon. Things are quiet and he does not expect to fight soon. He brings up selling the farm again.

GLC06588.025

circa 1861-1865

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He again reiterates what his lowest price for the farm would be and warns her not go below that figure.

GLC06588.026

29 April 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He expects to be paid within 2-3 days. He hears the Rebel army has little to eat. He mentions Kniffin again and the selling of the farm.

GLC06588.027

1 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He finally got paid yesterday. It's been quiet lately except for a little sharpshooting. He mentions paying Reynolds and getting the wagon fixed.

GLC06588.028

6 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

Written on board the Swan. There has been excitement around Suffolk. They are on the move. They ran into the Rebels who fired shots, killing several of their horses. Their battery soon fired back. They are now sailing and he does not know where they will go next.

GLC06588.029

May 6, 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He writes that if he lives and they have good luck they can continue to reduce their debts. They have spent time drilling lately. Lastly, he says his new clothes look good on him.

GLC06588.030

8 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

The cavalry lost one officer and in return they took 2 officers and three privates prisoners. They feel very secure for the moment because they have one of the strongest rifle pitts. He mentions Kniffin again.

GLC06588.031

circa 1861-1865

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore [incomplete]

He doesn't know how long they will be at their present stop. It looks as thoough they may establish a base of operations.

GLC06588.032

11 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

The Colonel has resigned due to his health. The news from Hooker and Banks is good. He believes her calculations about the farm are good and if they want to take possession before next Spring they must pay something now.

GLC06588.033

15 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He does not think kniffin will make any improvement to the farm, knowing him the way he does. He tells the story of how they came to a plantation and took some chickens with them by twisting some of their necks.

GLC06588.034

circa 1861-1865

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

They taking all those not able to march to the hospital. They have just come in from dress parade and have been ordered to march tomorrow morning.

GLC06588.035

19 May 1863

Elmore, Bruce, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libbie Elmore

He discusses finances with her and then tells her about the food they've been eating. He said they mainly drill these days and describes his daily activities.

GLC06588.036