August 1, 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Updates his father on the commanders of the regiment. Writes that General Asboth is the Brigadier General, Nicolas Grensel is the colonel and also a member of the Free Masons;. Lieutenant Colonel Joselyn and Major Barry have resigned and Capt. J.Q. Adams (also a Mason) is very sick. Complains that the quality of clothes they are receiving is not as good as before. Would like to see his family but has a "good a will as ever to obliterate rebellion". Writes that he is in favor of the confiscation and emancipation bill if colonization is strictly attended to. Reports that a Negro was…

GLC06728.019

6 September 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that there was a brush with secesh cavalry who charged into the 7th Kansas cavalry. Seventeen men were killed two of which belong to Weeks' regiment. Describes his experience in Arkansas so far and writes that he was almost hit by firing enemies. Hopes that he will be home before the next fourth of July. Inquires about the Masons.

GLC06728.020

29 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Weeks thanks his family for the food and updates them on cmp news. Describes the various foods he has consumed since he received his family's packages and writes that he's "grown fat since yesterday morning".

GLC07460.032

19 October 1861

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister reporting that brother John is well. Complains about the continuous rain and states that one of their men was shot. Writes about the rebels destroying a bridge over Green River. Comments that they are waiting for artillery: "...we have only 16 or 20 big guns here..." Asks her to use pen in future letters because pencil is hard to read. Complains that postage stamps are scarcer than money. Envelope has image of William G. Brownlow.

GLC03523.03.01

20 December 1861

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from Camp Wood. Reports on a battle with the Rebels and states that 19 men were killed and more wounded in his regiment. Comments that the Rebels have a camp four miles from him and he is sending his father ninety dollars. Letterhead has a drawing of a lion and donkey facing one another with the phrase "ONE OF US MUST CONQUER" underneath. Envelope has image of Union flag.

GLC03523.03.02

1 January 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bope

Bope writes to his mother from Camp Wood. Expresses thanks for the candy she sent for Christmas. Letterhead has a drawing of a cannon and American flag with the phrase "OUR COMPROMISE" written underneath. Envelope has a humorous image and caption depicting soldiers being distracted from their commanding officer due to the presence of a young woman.

GLC03523.03.03

1 January 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Conrad Bope writes to his sister. Comments it is the New Year and they have nothing to do. Brother John is well and in his tent as he writes. Reports he was on picket duty and once the bridge is rebuilt over the Green River, they will march to Bowling Green. Mentions that butter sells for twenty-five cents per pound and asks her to send him some. Letterhead has the logo "United We Stand Divided We Fall" and Kentucky underneath. Envelope has images and wording.

GLC03523.03.04

25 April 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Bope writes to a friend from the Battlefield of Camp Shiloh. Reports he survived the bloody Battle of Shiloh (6-7 April 1862) unharmed. Discusses the battle strategy in depth and the horror he felt: "...we had to step over the daed [sic] and mutilated bodies of Friend and Enemy..." Letterhead contains a drawing of Andrew Jackson with the phrase "Our Federal Union, It MUST be preserved."

GLC03523.03.05

25 April 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from the Battlefield of Shiloh, near Pittsburg Landing. Reports that "...some 20,000 men buried who fell in this great battle...", and they expect another attack. Mentions Easter, and notes that the cost of eggs is 30 cents a dozen. Discusses in great detail logistic battle plans and asks him to speak to the hardware man about the pistol he returned.

GLC03523.03.06

28 May 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Alexandria, Virginia that he is frustrated by the delay of being mustered out. Anticipates he will be home no later than 1 July 1865. Informs that the last of the Rebel forces in Texas surrendered and his old commander, General Winfield S. Hancock, now commands the Veteran's Corps. Comments what a terrible fighter General Hancock was. Reports that a photograph of their regiment will go to New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton.

GLC03523.06.12

16 July 1865

Fairchild, Sephronia, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis D. Fairchild

Sephronia writes to her husband Lewis asking when he will be discharged. States that the family is waiting and watching for his return every day. States many soldiers are returning home and that all who enlisted under the Act of 1863 (the first conscription act) will get their bounty. The fourth page of the letter is very faded and mostly illegible, but it is from his daughter Eunice and is dated 16 July 1865.

GLC03523.06.13

10 August 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife Sephronia from Fort Corcoran in Arlington, Virginia. Reports he is ill with fever and dizziness and has little appetite. Says he will be home by 1 October 1865. Comments that his regiment is the last to muster out and they don't know yet where it will occur. He hopes for Albany. The letterhead reads "United States Sanitary Commission."

GLC03523.06.14

6 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the colonel has ordered new 10x12 foot loghouses be built on the sight to accomodate eight men per building. He is fond of the area and wishes to stay there longer. Explains to his family why he is at Signal Hill and gives specific details about the telegraphing activites that go on there. Reports that there was fighting at Franklin two to three days ago and canonading could be heard throughout the whole battle. He also reports that Union forces have taken five hundred prisoners. Discusses the hanging of an old negro man who was aiding rebels in catching Union…

GLC07460.034

13 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes of the possiblity of getting furloughed in late July but asks that this not be mentioned to anyone. He tells his family that he could have asked for a furlough sooner, but he felt that the men with wives and children deserved to be furloughed first. Wheeler writes about his friend Brundage whose father and brother are copperheads in West Chester County, New York. He writes that Brundage "could shoot his father as well as a southern Rebel." Mentions a Nashville paper's erroneous report of fighting that occurred at Lavergne,Tennessee between Union troops and three thousand rebels.…

GLC07460.035

13 July 1861

American Anti-Slavery Society

Newspaper

Title: National Anti-Slavery Standard. [Vol. 22, no. 9, whole no. 1,101 (July 13, 1861)]

Includes a message from President Abraham Lincoln, a speech of abolitionist Wendell Phillips, and miscellaneous other reports. Published weekly by the American Anti-Slavery Society.

GLC08875.45

11 July 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Document signed

Title: [Orders detaching John G. Walker from command of the "Baron de Kalb]

Printed document detaching Lieutenant Commander John G. Walker from the command of the USS "Baron de Kalb" in the Mississippi Squadron. Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy and co-signed by A.R.A. Porter. Docket says "Reply Forwarded Aug 20th 1863 David D Porter."

GLC03804.08

29 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. She seems to have had a meeting with "Mr. Welles" -- possibly the Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles. She thinks one of the charges brought against Henry was disloyalty. She is surprised because "you and Pa at the first out break of the war opposed secession." She mentions that their father was president of a Union meeting early in the war. Says there was a "reign of terror" in West Virginia when Confederate forces came through, making arrests. She says it was well known that Henry always did what he felt was right. Also mentions that their father is…

GLC03523.21.55

2 December 1861

McSherry, Henry F., fl. 1837

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gideon Welles

Written by McSherry as Assistant Surgeon aboard the USS "Vandalia" to Welles as Secretary of Navy. Marked "Copy" at bottom. Acknowledges receiving Welles's order of 30 November 1861 to proceed to Philadelphia and to report to Commodore Pendergast for duty on board the "USS Sciota," a steam gunboat. Written at the Navy Yard.

GLC03523.21.62

25 October 1862-16 June 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Manuscript document signed

Title: [John G. Walker's unbound orderly book for 25 October 1862-16 June 1863]

Contains 38 separate entries, which seem to be a copy of his official correspondence. Is written in several different hands. Writes at first on board the U.S. Gunboat "Chillicothe" at Jeffersonville, Indiana 25-29 October 1862. Afterward he writes from the Yazoo River region on board the U.S. Gunboat "Baron de Kalb." Most of the entries are of correspondence to Admiral David D. Porter, but also contains correspondence with Captain A. M. Pennock, Brigadier General W. A. Gorman, and Captain J. A. Dahlgren, among other lesser-ranked officers. Excerpts: 25 October 1862, to Admiral David D…

GLC03804.01

28 October 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter orders Lieutenant Commander Walker to report to him to take command of the "Baron de Kalb." Tells him to turn over command of the "Chillicothe." Docket says he reported on 4 November. Docket on recto is signed by W.G. Boggs as paymaster who gave Walker $33.85 for mileage to Cairo.

GLC03804.02

4 November 1862

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Admiral Porter commands Lieutenant Commander Walker to take command of the "Baron de Kalb" and "to get her ready for service with all dispatch."

GLC03804.03

January 11, 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Document

Title: [List of those killed and wounded at Arkansas Post aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb"]

Lists 2 killed, 2 seriously wounded and probably mortal, 4 seriously wounded, and 9 slightly wounded from the crew of the USS "Baron de Kalb" at the battle for Arkansas Post. A carte de visite photograph (9.6 x 6.1 cm) of Theodore Zendon, one of the two killed, is also included. Zendon appears to be in his early teens. Verso of the photograph says "Theodore Zendon / 128 East 27th street / N.Y.C." Walker received accolades from Congress for his service during the battle for Arkansas Post. Written of the coast of Arkansas Post, Arkansas

GLC03804.04

February 12, 1863

Meacham, J.W., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Master's Mate Meacham to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Co-signed by Acting Lieutenant and Executive Officer Jonathan V. Johnston, attesting to the veracity of this letter. Meacham says he ordered Henry Hines to sweep down the boiler casemates to prepare them for whitewashing. Hines refused to follow the order. He was sent to the executive officer who threw him in the brig. Afterward William Fordham also refused the duty, "saying he was not contented while on board this boat."

GLC03804.05

February 13, 1863

Gorringe, Henry Honeychurch, 1841-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John G. Walker

Written by Acting Ensign Gorringe to Lieutenant Commander Walker. Reports that William Fordam and Henry Hines both disobeyed orders while he was officer of the deck on 10 February 1863. The order was repeated and they both refused to do any more duty on the "Baron de Kalb." Written aboard the USS "Baron de Kalb" on the Yazoo River.

GLC03804.06

3 July 1863

Dorr, S.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W.H.S. Fintress

Written by Dorr as commander of USS "Hamilton" to Fintress as the commander of the USS "Rattler." Recommends that Dr. W.H. Wilson of the U.S. Navy on board the "Rattler" be forwarded to the North "to be designated for the benefit of his health." Dorr says Wilson is in a critical state. Also recommends that a trusted officer escort Wilson. Written while aboard the USS "Hamilton"

GLC03804.07