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

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

7 January 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where "about 1200 men" were stationed by the British, and the late night march to Princeton. Admits "we did not take them by surprise as at Trenton," because the British soldiers were already marching when the Continentals encountered them, whereas in Trenton they had been totally out of order. But still thinks the enemy "were as much asstonish'd as if…

GLC02437.00514

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

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

13 April 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her. Thinks Crane will soon have success in recruiting men. Feels "America trifles too much with the high matters in which she is engag'd - an infinity of happiness or misery depends upon the success or non-success of the present Contest." Is pleased with recent victories in New Jersey, but worries that prolonged British occupation of the state has cost the revolutionaries some supporters. Says "a party of ours" attacked a party of 70 Tory "wretches to Humanity" and took 5 prisoners. There are more of them across the Passaic River, opposite Newark. Expects General…

GLC02437.00573

September 17, 1814

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Col. Andrew Haynes

Battle at Fort Bowyer, Mobile Point [Ala.]: "I stop the mail to state the glorious news, that Fort Bowyer is safe, the British and allies severely drubbed..."

GLC07983.02

January 18, 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Previous catalog record noted that this is a copy. Knox had planned to travel to New England by way of Albany, New York, so he could see Lincoln and Benedict Arnold, but his late departure will prevent him from taking that route. Comments on Lincoln's recovery (his leg was badly injured during the Saratoga campaign in 1777). Congratulates Lincoln on the victory at Saratoga, New York: "The success with which your exertions have been crowned, and the ample security it affords at present to this and the neighboring states must be a pleasing reflection in your pain and confinement…

GLC02437.00691

May 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [drafts of rough minutes delivered to Doctor Ramsey who is writing the history of the late war & who furnished to me his Sketches & Materials for that purpose. May '86]

Later copy of Knox's notes which he delivered to Doctor David Ramsay to use as reference for his book, History of the American Revolution. Note at top states, "(Inclosed) Notes and explanations of Doctor Ramsay's history respecting the campaign 1777- & the affair of Trenton 1776." Title is from document. Includes historical notes on the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Asserts, "It was not a general opinion by any means that Sir William Howe would attack Philadelphia by means of the Chesapeake. The first object was supposed to be the complete possession of Hudson River, so as to…

GLC02437.00680

January 14, 1778

Scollay, William, 1756-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Possibly written to William Knox, Henry Knox's brother. Colonel Scollay expresses joy "that the circumstance of settleing [sic] a little delicate matter, whether we should continue the Friendship that has so long & uninterreptedly subsisted between us, or obliterate it by a total annihilation of all intercourse, is now I hope brought to such a point as will effectually cement and perpetuate our friendly Connection." Explains that his previous congratulation of General Horatio Gates, who defeated John Burgoyne in the north, was not meant to undermine the success of the Army of the…

GLC02437.00690

1 April 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letter via Captain Shaw, and was pleased by Knox's good spirits. Hopes to defeat the British, but worries about the lack of manpower, hearing that Washington only has 4,000 men. "If this is the case you must expect a whipping very soon." Hears that there are only 1,200 men and no field officers at Fort Ticonderoga, that Indian skirmishes there have cost many American lives, and that "Colonel Baldwin the Engineer" was taken prisoner. Unless action is taken he fears this "most important post on the Continent" may be lost. Colonel Crane lost his struggle to be permitted to…

GLC02437.00561

January 12 - March 24, 1777

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Artillery record book]

Book of records for Knox's artillery regiment. Contains inventories of artillery, notes regarding regimental activities and some daily entries. Samuel Shaw created the book, which dates between 12 January 1777 and 24 March 1777. The first page, probably the cover page, contains sketches, some appear to be of cannon. Page 2 is a list of the amount of ammunition delivered to various officers. At bottom is a note informing Captain Lieutenant Joseph Crane that he is "considered as no longer an officer in the Corps of Artillery." States this document is a copy, and that the original was…

GLC02437.00518

30 April 1777

Isaacs, Ralph, 1741-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that his health has improved, and his wife is recovering from smallpox. Details the Battle of Ridgefield (27 April 1777) and the British actions leading up to it. Says British troops landed near Norwalk, marched to Danbury, and there destroyed Continental stores. Then relates how General Wooster and his men fought the British with "justice and bravery," but Wooster received a wound that he thinks may prove fatal. Next the British engaged General Arnold's forces, with both sides suffering heavy losses, his friend doctor Attwater of New Hampshire among them. Pierpont Edwards and "…

GLC02437.00581

10 November 1863

Morse, N.S., fl. 1862-1864

Newspaper

Title: Daily chronicle & sentinel. [Vol. 27, no. 309 (November 10, 1863)]

Subjects include General Expectation of a Battle in the Vicinity of Chattanooga, Forces Now Occupy Knoxville, Tennessee, Sherman to Command in Tennessee, Meade to Advance Again, The Federals Occupying Charleston, Capture of Bragg's Forage Train, From Charleston - Progress of the Bombardment, Taylor's Victory Over Banks. An editorial extolling the virtue of Washington to serve where needed without regard to position or title makes application of the Revolution to the Civil War in the hope of extinguishing jealousy and envy in sacrifice. A long letter by C.P. Culver on currency describes the…

GLC05959.07.03

16 August 1862

Hanleiter & Adair (publishers), fl. 1861-1865

Newspaper

Title: Southern confederacy. [Vol. 2, no. 155 (August 16, 1862)]

Prints "Abe Lincoln's Speech at a War Meeting in Washington" on August 16, 1862. Other articles include: "Riots in New York Between Whites & Blacks", "Riots Anticipated in Washington", "The Battle of Southwest Mountain", and "Partisan Success in Arkansas". Includes correspondence from soldiers, advertisements, troop movements and battle reports, and news from the Confederate government.

GLC05959.09.062

February 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, transmits announcements (not included) of deaths of soldiers in his company. Informs Curtis, his uncle, of the deaths of Enos Scudder, and fears that Daniel Collins might die soon. Writes "Nearly every one of the wounded are so disabled that they will never be fit for service. Taken all together it was a severe stroke on my company." States that he was surprised to see a previous letter he wrote published in the Telegraph, a newspaper (possibly the Hamilton…

GLC00653.09.04

February 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the editor of the Hamilton Telegraph

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, requests that the editor of the Telegraph publish a message announcing the death of Enos Scudder. Scudder died January 16, 1863 after the Battle of Arkansas Post. Also announces the death of Thomas Deem, who died February 2, 1863. Relates that Jeremiah Reese, who died February 3, 1863, was the first man Gorsuch's company lost from disease. Cites the locations where wounded members of his company are receiving treatment.

GLC00653.09.05

February 12, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, informs his aunt and uncle "I write to you quite frequently, and hear from you but rarely." Transmits a box of things he does not want or need, such as white shirts, a gown, books, and Confederate breast plates. Of the breast plates, he writes "They are worn inside of the vest, and I think are a pretty good sign of a coward... If my flesh is too tender for bullets and shells, then I had better quit soldiering." Predicts that the Curtis's could use the plates,…

GLC00653.09.06

March 23, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, replies to a letter from his aunt and uncle. Expects the Battle of Vicksburg to commence soon. Has heard rumors that Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet is ready to cooperate with ground troops against Vicksburg. Doubts whether the Union army will perform as well at Vicksburg as they did at the Battle of Arkansas Post (January 9-11, 1863). Discusses his wages and savings. Discusses money he owes to George Wood, of Delta, Ohio. States "Alphonso wants me in his…

GLC00653.09.08

May 14, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Written in the field between Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, writes to his uncle. He wishes to describe the movement of his troops in detail, but writes that newspapers have covered their activity from Williken's Bend to Perkin's Plantation. He relates that his regiment engaged in the Battle of Port Gibson (May 1, 1863), and suffered no losses. He discusses the battle in detail, expressing pride at compliments on his bravery in battle. He describes the harsh conditions to which he has endured while marching, including lack of…

GLC00653.09.09

June 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Sallie F. H. Keely

Author inferred based on handwriting and content. Gorsuch writes to Sallie, apparently a former member of a Sunday School class he taught in Brookville (possibly Ohio or Indiana). He reminisces about life before the war: "Dear old Brookville... How my heart warms and a smile creeps up to my sober face, at that name, whose very sound fills me with dreamy memories of quiet happy days. I forgot for a moment that I am a soldier, in whose ears have rung, for more than a month, almost unceasingly, the deep roar of artillery, the quick rattle of rifles, the screaming of flying shells, and their…

GLC00653.09.10

June 13, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes to his uncle Joseph during the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He states "My office is perfectly over run with business worse than ever you were 1st of March. In the first place I have to feed all the rebel citizens between here and... Black River... You may believe that this is galling to these bitter secessionists to have to come to a Yankee, and ask for something to eat... Then I have charge of all the prisoners and deserters from the rebel army, and have to examine them as we get them, to get…

GLC00653.09.11

July 4, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Beckett

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his friend the day the Union won the Battle of Vicksburg. He declares "Today is an era in our career as an army, and as individuals, for today Vicksburg has fallen. Long and patiently have we marched, and toiled and fought for this, and it is very fit that on Freedom's Day, Freedom's flag should wave from the parapets of Slavery's boasted redoubt." He mentions his pride of the soldiers he led from Butler County, Ohio as Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He discusses the hardships soldiers had to endure…

GLC00653.09.12

July 11, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife, Mary Gorsuch Curtis

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his aunt and uncle as his corps attacks Jackson, Mississippi. He writes that the Union army attacked General Joseph E. Johnston's force, which was entrenched at Jackson, the previous day. He reports that Johnston shot a prisoner. Also he relates that as Johnston retreated before the Union army, he killed livestock and threw the carcasses into the water along the road, contaminating the Union's closest water supply. Referring to Johnston, he writes "If he does not soon evacuate we will surround him and have him in the same…

GLC00653.09.13