17 October 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

His regiment has not fought yet but Bill Elliot's has. There were 4,000-5,000 Confederates, outnumbering the Union four to one, but the Union won. He does not how many Union casualties there were but it was nothing "like so many as the rebbels."

GLC02739.019

26 October 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Confederates forced his regiment to change routes on their way to reinforce General Buell at Perryville and some of their men were taken prisoner. Although they were unable to reach Buell, he "whipped braggs army with one fourth the men that brag had." Buell, who has "so many troops now that we never can get up close to aid him," pursued Bragg and they fought again. Jones describes the Confederates as ragged and says "most al [are] glad when they are taken prisoners."

GLC02739.020

31 October 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have been traveling every day and are now five miles west of Bowling Green on Lost River. They will rest here and then move on to Nashville.

GLC02739.021

2 November 1862

Walker, Joseph, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Nancy E. Jones

Their shared devotion to Christianity. His faith comforts him through the trials of war.

GLC02739.022

10 November 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He expects that "the rebbels is so near drove out and [there are] so many union troops that the mail can go through safe" now.

GLC02739.023

26 November 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones and Benjamin Jones

They are camped again and in good spirits; he hopes for a visit from Benjamin. On stationery with poem titled "The Soldier's Dream," with bottom third of first page cut off.

GLC02739.024

26 November 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

If they don't get paid soon, he thinks "a good many wil go home and I don't blame them for our soldiers is used worse than a dog." He estimates that there are 200,000 troops around Nashville but they have not fought yet.

GLC02739.025

30 November 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is on picket and it is difficult to write because "there is so many generals passing and we [have] to fall in to line evry time one comes along to salute him." On 27 November his brigade was ordered to scout towards Murfreesboro and skirmished with the Confederates. His regiment was ordered to guard the battery; they had "no firing to do but we was in the dangerest place." They drove the Confederates a mile from their camp, took possession of the nearby town, and burnt it.

GLC02739.026

3-4 December 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Apologizes for not being able to keep her letters but asks that she save his until he comes home; regiment will likely move towards Alabama and Georgia; rumors that Richmond was captured; advises her not to visit as "here is no place for a woman."

GLC02739.027

6-7 December 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

George Cooper died of the measles. The Confederates tried to capture their grain train but were unsuccessful. He lists the hierarchy of officers above him: Sill, Rosecrans, Kirk, and Reid.

GLC02739.028

12 December 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He hopes that Martha's health will improve. Many men are "joining the regulars for three years service" but he is not.

GLC02739.029

12 December 1862

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He went out on a very difficult picket but slept that night in a Confederate's barn to stay out of the rain.

GLC02739.030

7 January 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Joseph Walker and John Millis were killed in the Battle of Stones River.

GLC02739.031

January 21, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They left the Nashville area on 26 December and fought almost every day on their way to Murfreesboro. He describes a very tough battle and his own close call. The Confederate guns were "so hot that they burnt our hands when we took hold of them."

GLC02739.032

January 24, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He does not think the South can be defeated: "we can't starve them out for they have a plenty and we can't whip them out for they are armed as well as we are, and they are as brave a men to fight as we are."

GLC02739.033

February 11, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He grieves for George Cooper, John Millis, and Joseph Walker. He describes Joseph's and John's deaths and how he helped bury them. He isn't sorry that he enlisted but if he would never "go in another such a wore as this for it is an unholy war on both sides."

GLC02739.034

February 11, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph document signed

Title: "Savage Barbarity."

He saw a wagon master whipping a black man who had trouble driving his team of mules across a river. He has seen many similar cases; "Soldiers hate The negros as a general Thing and would rather Kill them than to do them a favor."

GLC02739.035

February 14, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He sends Phebe Jane Walker his sympathies about Joseph's death. They are working on a fort and he hopes they will get to stay in it. He finds the Confederates "al friendly and kind I tel you it is awful to think that we half to kill them on the account of some wicked leading men."

GLC02739.036

20 June 1862

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Written to his sister Mary. Aboard the USS "Delaware" about 60 miles from Richmond on the James River. Says they are with the USS "Monitor." Says they have left the company of the "Mosquitoe fleet" and are now with the "ironclads." Says they are eating well: chicken, mutton, veal, cherries, strawberries, plenty of fresh milk. Reports that the enslaved people of a rebel colonel named Cass sold them a young steer they stole from him for 5 dollars. Says he is getting the gout some nights when he goes to bed. Says there are sharpshooters along the banks of the James when they travel up it, but…

GLC02829.06

16 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Charlie Johnson left after visiting from Norwich for five days. Writes that he is more homesick than ever and hopes that the 8th Regiment will be sent to Connecticut to recruit new soldiers and supplement their depleted ranks.

GLC03603.155

20 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment is in need of knapsacks and dress coats. Believes that he will be sent to Washington to pick up the needed items. Describes his soldier's coat and requests that his mother send new shirts. Writes that all but three of Connecticut's 11th Regiment's field officers have decided to resign. Explains that he was forced to direct the dress parade because none of the higher-ranking officers were present. Closes the letter with a note saying that he is headed to Washington.

GLC03603.156

22 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the new suit he purchased and the errands he ran for the regiment. This included arranging baggage transportation and passes for himself and the ten men that are along to help him. Writes of seeing General McClellan and his wife and baby at the train station. Also writes about hearing word that a third wounded soldier died at home. Written from the National Hotel, in Washington, D.C.

GLC03603.157

25 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he arrived back to camp with the supplies much earlier than expected. The regiment has been given orders to march the next morning and rumor has it that they are traveling 6-8 miles down the river to Berlin.

GLC03603.158

31 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the journey from Pleasant Valley and the activities of the other officers in the new camp. Writes that he dreads the idea of a winter campaign and also writes about his tent, blanket, and food situation in comparison to that of the enlisted men. Declares that Lieutenant Eaton has resigned and Lieutenant Goodrich of Company H has been promoted to his old place. Writes that this promotion is only temporary for Goodrich will be made a Captain soon. Stresses that this news is entirely secret and should not reach Lieutenant Shepard.

GLC03603.159

17 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he plans to send most of his supplies home and only carry a small bag. Also writes more about the new chain of command within his Grand Division.

GLC03603.164