26 November 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he is still stationed at Wilkesbarre and doesn't know when they'll be called in. Recruiting is still very poor. He is sorry to hear that Lightner is still in the hospital. Writes of news that a friend has been married out west. Reports that his health is better since having returned from the army.

GLC02016.025

30 November 1862

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Complains that he is being kept in town for recruiting despite the poor recruitment rate. Writes that recruiting costs $219 a month and feels that the government should act more economically instead of wasting money on recruiting parties. He was paid the first of November and forwarded $10 to "Em" (his sister Emma). He used the remainder of the money to buy some wardrobe items. Describes his Thanksgiving Day as very dull. Reports that there is an interesting murder case going on, so he has been attending court to pass the time. Writes that he is in good health and weighs 140 lbs.

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January 15, 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

He has traveled from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe by the steamer "Expounder". Complains that the steamer was unsafe for transportation and that the men suffered from seasickness. The soldiers continued on to Beauford (also known as old Troxel Inlet), boarded another dangerous vessel, and disembarked at Morehead, where they took the railroad to New Bern, North Carolina. States that General Burnside "whiped the rebs so handsomely" that there were hundreds of graves everywhere. Gives a lengthy explanation of a long march through the woods. Reports on a skirmish along the railroad. States…

GLC02016.027

January 27, 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister]

Discusses the unreliability of the news at camp. He has received word that the mail is in New Bern and hopes it will put an end to rumors of the war ending. States that the rebels want to retake New Bern and Wilmington and capture General Foster. Painter assures his sister that he is not the least bit worried about the rebels. Writes that the rebels fear Burnside and are ignorantly unaware that other generals are "whiping them as soundly on other portions of their confederacy." He mentions that the men do a fair amount of foraging when not on picket duty. Writes that his regiment is…

GLC02016.028

February 5, 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister]

Reports that three horses, ten Confederate soldiers, and their arms were captured by his company. Expects to spend the winter in North Carolina. Has not heard from Foster's expedition, but expects to soon. Reports that he is now in Colonel Howell's Brigade. Has withdrawn from his duty as regimental dispatcher to take up a post as the Quartermaster's clerk under Lieutenant Jackson. Recipient inferred from content. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

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22 March 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Complains about the 2nd lieutenant who has no formal education (civil and military) except for some knowledge in company drilling. Reports of a petition created by line officers to be removed from "Bachelor's" (Batchelder's) Creek on the basis of hard duty. The petition was presented to the Colonel who in turn called the officers cowards and threatened to resign. The Colonel gave the men an ultimatum to withdraw the petition. Reports that there is only one man of the company currently in the hospital and that everyone is in good health. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

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3 May 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Reports a skirmish with the rebels where one Union soldier was lost. Two companies from his regiment were ordered out after two soldiers had been discovered dead two miles from camp. Seven men, thought to have been responsible for the murders were detained but later released when their innocence was proven. The letter is continued on the evening of May 5th. Writes that refugees from Kinston, North Carolina reported that rebels have left, possibly to Suffolk. Reports that his health is fine. Written at Batchelder's Creek.

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19 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry near Edwards Ferry, Maryland to his wife. Writes that he misses her and their baby very much. Thinks that if the Union were to win a few victories in the West the war would be over in six months. Has heard of a fight near Harper's Ferry, Virginia and has seen shells exploding 20 miles up the Potomac. Has also heard there is fighting near Winchester, Virginia. His company marched as far as Leesburg, Virginia and upon their return to camp he was ordered to have the company ready to go on picket duty.

GLC03523.13.062

5 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry beyond Union Town, Virginia. He was unable to write because they have been marching for several days, they are now camped not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Notes that there have been some skirmishes and that the Union will soon overtake the Confederates. Writes that they are commanded by General Ambrose Burnside and that he will show the rebels "how to fight." He has been promoted to company sergeant. Notes that he has no gun or knapsack, rides almost all the time, does less work, and has someone cooking for him. His pay is only a little…

GLC03523.13.064

14 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes a short note to his wife explaining that he has just mailed her a letter and that the bearer of this note is from the 2nd regiment.

GLC03523.13.066

22 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that they have marched fifty miles and are now one mile from Fredericksburg, Virginia. He lacks confidence in his ability to handle his new rank. Thinks that the great battle will take place near Fredericksburg. Notes that the country is beautiful and there was a fine hotel but General Franz Sigel had it burned down to prevent the Confederates from shooting at the Union forces. The pickets for both Confederate and Union forces are on opposite sides of the Rappahannock River and are often heard talking to each other but they never shoot. It appears the men have a better…

GLC03523.13.067

26 November 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he holds her and their baby in the highest esteem. He is also greatly saddened that he may not be able to come home during the winter. Tells her of his dreams about going home and being with her and the new baby. Because he is the company sergeant it will be harder for him to get a furlough. Captain [Hendy] resigned and went home. States that he will bring home a "fine colored boy" who is currently his cook. Likes the new General, Ambrose Burnside, better then General George McClellan who he says was "too slow to accomplish anything."

GLC03523.13.068

10 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he is sorry but he will not be able to come home this winter because there is going to be a great battle. Every soldier has been ordered to take a gun and go into the fight. Reports that he has been promoted to lieutenant. He has increased responsibility now and if he dies he will be facing the enemy. If General Ambrose Burnside proves himself to be a great fighter the war will be over by July and he will return home. Since he fell off of his horse his right arm is in a sling and therefore he must carry his sword in his left hand.

GLC03523.13.069

19 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife after he crosses the Rappahannock River to let her know that he is still alive after the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. His regiment was involved in a "desperate fight" but could not force the enemy from the heights. Reports that all the troops from Ann Arbor, Michigan are either dead or wounded. Has had his arm in a sling the entire time he was in Fredericksburg. He will not tell his wife much about the battle as Dr. Stone will return home and tell her. Wishes he could be at home with her.

GLC03523.13.070

28 December 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to is wife. His arm is still very sore from last week but he is glad to hear that she and their baby are doing so well. It appears very doubtful that he will come home this winter. The army is unsure of what it will do next. The regiment has built log huts for the coming winter. Gives some details describing what the log hut is made from. States that he has built a large hut in case she comes to visit him. States that the battle plan of General Ambrose Burnside was good but they failed to carry it out. Explains that it was neither the army nor…

GLC03523.13.071

4 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Notes that a year ago today he started for home. Writes how much he misses her and wishes he could be with her. Is thankful that God has continued to spare him through so many battles.

GLC03523.13.072

5 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he hopes she does not think his previous letter foolish for being a love letter. Thinks that most men give all their affection before marriage and then after marriage the wife is the one who professes affection. Enjoys the picture of the baby. Wants to know what his mother thinks of the baby. He has not been paid yet but expects to receive it soon. Thinks it is more honorable to earn a commission near the battlefield then to go home and get one. Hopes he will soon be made first lieutenant. States that he did not join the army to get promotions but to fight for his…

GLC03523.13.073

March 24, 1862

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter

Title: to: Mr. & Mrs. John Morris.

Wilmor describes leaving Camp Johnston on 17 March and arriving at Fortress Monroe the next day. They are "encamped at the mouth of James River [with]in about 200 yards of ex President Tyler['s] mansion." Fourteen vessels brought the men up the bay and the scenery along the river was "the pritest [prettiest] sight I ever saw." He saw the Monitor, which at first glance looked "about sunk it is all under water only a steel tur[r]et [is not]," and describes how it defeated the Confederate gunboat Merrimac. It was pouring when they arrived and they "would have drowned" if the 16th…

GLC06451.044

March 1862

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

The provost guard caught 40 men from New York and Pennsylvania regiments stealing and sent them "to the ripraps to work." It is "harder soldiering than we have had yet" now.

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May 11, 1862

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: John Morris.

Wilmor's regiment lost many men at Williamsburg, but the Confederates lost twice as many and "left in a hurry." The road between Yorktown and Williamsburg is strewn with "guns, wagons, knives, clothing of all kinds." He is using "secesh paper" and the "envelope is secesh" as well. A note to George promises a letter soon.

GLC06451.048

1861

Mason, Anna, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Friend" Wilmor Morris.

Mason is going to school now. She goes to prayer meetings every Friday night and there are only nine or ten men now. Bill Stewart takes the girls home one by one while the rest wait inside. She hopes Wilmor will visit before running off with "that pretty English girl" or bring the girl with him. She wishes she could "peep in" and see how he is doing in his camp.

GLC06451.053

circa March 12, 1860

Morris Family

Envelope

Title: to: W.A. Hamilton.

GLC06451.067

circa 1863-1864

Meigs, John R., fl. 1850-1864

Map

Title: [Maps of areas surrounding Staunton and Harrisonburg]

Hand-drawn maps in blue and red pencil of areas surrounding Staunton and Harrisonburg, Virginia.

GLC07059.17

circa 1863-1864

Meigs, John R., fl. 1850-1864

Map

Title: [Hand-drawn map]

Hand-drawn map in red and blue pencil.

GLC07059.19

5 October 1864

Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to:Lt. Col. J. Layton.

GLC07059.33