11 August 1791

Howe, B.A., fl. 1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lemuel Trescott

Howe, a lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Infantry, reports on recruitment efforts to Major Trescott. Indicates that "our success is miserable only one Recruit since the party marched... hope after the harvest the prospect will be more favorable." Also comments on supplies. Trescott resigned his commission later that year and went on to found Trescott, Maine. Letter is torn causing minor text loss.

GLC03432.087

1861-1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Header Record

Title: Collection of 13 Civil War soldier letters [decimalized]

The collection consists of thirteen letters written by Levi W. Norton. Twelve of these letters are written to his wife, and one is addressed to his son, Fred. Norton was 41 years of age when he enlisted on 23 July 1861 at Staten Island, New York as a chaplain. He was commissioned into Field & Staff New York 72nd Infantry the following day. Norton was discharged on 20 April 1862 and died in 1900. The collection is accompanied by a newspaper, The Chautauqua Democrat, from Wednesday 25 September 1861. Selected highlights from the collection include: an explanation of a Bavarian…

GLC09006

18 June 1864

Carter, Solon A., 1837-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to Emily Carter

Writes to his wife, "My own Emily," about the first engagements of the Battle of Petersburg. Reports that he is two miles from Petersburg and that "The whole army is here and banging away at the rebs pell mell." Praises the African American division of the XVIII corps led by General Edward Winslow Hinks, " ... the fight of our darkey division before Petersburg on the 15th inst. It was a very brilliant affair and every body speaks in the highest terms of their conduct ... The Army of the Potomac is a big thing, and so is Hink's Colored division." Describes the success of the African…

GLC09008

16 November 1781

Carthy, Daniel, fl. 1780-1782

Autograph document signed

Title: Report of wood and fireplaces & c.

Lists the amount of fireplaces and wood held by General "Patterson" (possibly John Paterson), Colonel Crane, Colonel Jackson (possibly John Crane and Michael Jackson), an artillery corps, and several regiments of infantry.

GLC02437.10028

5 December 1864

Petty, John S., 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes from the mouth of the White River, expressing his wish they were together, "but the fates have willed it otherwise, and we must rest content." Informs him of the consolidation of the 120th Ohio Volunteer Infantry with the 114th. States he is Adjutant of the new regiment which totals 946 men. Says he is sorry Grier took offense when he did not visit him on furlough and has written him a letter.

GLC03523.10.147

3 March 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Certificate for Elias Parker]

Certifies that Elias Parker served under Knox in the artillery, but was then transferred by his own request to the Massachusetts line of infantry. Possibly docketed by Henry Knox.

GLC02437.04134

27 April 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Writes that they are five miles from Yorktown, Virginia and seven miles from Williamsburg, Virginia. Says his unit does not see close action like an infantry unit does. States he is unhappy with his regiment's assignment. Notes he would now give fifty dollars to join the volunteer unit of his choice. He thinks a large engagement is coming and hopes the Yankees will withdraw some men so he can go home.

GLC02715.008

13 June 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Mary Epperly

Describes himself as a cannoneer who helps to load the guns. Notes that three of their guns have been ordered away, probably to join General [Stonewall] Jackson. Mentions that men of a nearby infantry unit offered members of his regiment $50 to switch places. The infantry regiment thinks the artillery units have it easy since they do not fight in close combat. A note at the close of the letter is addressed from Joseph H. Phleagar to Harry Phleagar.

GLC02715.016

February 24, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

There was a very difficult battle but his regiment killed more Confederates than any other. If those she sells crops to will not "take Uncle Sam's money at ful face let them go without it for I don't want to serve in their place and then them not take such money as I get."

GLC02739.038

February 25, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He does not regret joining the army "for it has bin a blessing to me, and I think it wil work out for good to us all in the long run." He will never desert but does not blame anyone for deserting as "our men is meaner than the rebbels."

GLC02739.039

8 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

12 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

15-16 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042

21 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"The rebbels is failing in evry sense of the word." The Confederates attacked their pickets but his regiment held them off and will "slay them by the thousands if they try to take this place."

GLC02739.043

25 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is glad she received the 30 dollars he sent. He is sorry for her hardships and "would do anything for you if I could."

GLC02739.044

4 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed and had to leave the 79th to work a twelve pound brass cannon in the 20th Ohio Battery. He does not feel in any more danger as "I can dodge a shell or canon ball some times but a musket ball I can not." The battery consists of two brass cannon and four rifle cannon. With note to Phebe Jane Walker on verso re: ballad composed in honor of Joseph Walker.

GLC02739.045

12 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He cannot pray at night in the 20th Ohio and must rely on secret prayer. All the prisoners "that we get say that the rebel armey is both starveing and getting naked for the want of clothes."

GLC02739.046

30 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

The men and officers of the 20th are all "persecutors of religion" but he will persist in his prayers. They expect a battle soon, "one of thee hardest battles ever fought in America."

GLC02739.047

9 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"If general hooker is successful at [Fredericksburg] I think that will end the war." They get good news from the armies of the Mississippi and the Rappahannock every day. He wants a likeness of her and the children. He closes discouraged, having read that General Hooker was defeated.

GLC02739.048

13 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

The men of the 20th are by "far mutch the hardest men that I have ever bin with" but they treat him like a gentleman. They no longer expect a fight and he has no doubt "but that our forces have gained a complete victory at fredricksberg."

GLC02739.049

30 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"I feel as mutch assured that I will git home alive as mutch as I feel assured that this war will end in the distruction of the southern confederacy." He believes that they will soon have Vicksburg and hopes to move to Fort Donelson soon.

GLC02739.050

31 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks the war may end soon but wouldn't be surprised if it lasted a year or two more. Their latest news from Grant is favorable. He will rejoin Company F of the 79th.

GLC02739.051

3 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They drove 40,000 Confederates towards Chattanooga and several corps are advancing behind them. Some Confederates say "they want to quit fighting that they have bin deceived long enough by the leaders of the south." He fears the letter will not arrive as General Rosecrans has stopped the mail "so that the rebel [guerillas] can not capture any thing and find out his movements."

GLC02739.052

7 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He has terrible pain in his head and had a tooth removed. He is still with the battery but will be with the regiment soon. "A man cannot git a discharge here until he is four days dead if he wanted it ever so bad."

GLC02739.053

11 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He expects the Union to take Vicksburg soon. He must sneak out to prayer meetings in town every night and could be punished if caught.

GLC02739.054