21 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Drazilla Churchill

Reassures his mother of his safety by confirming that his division has been successful in the area of Corinth, Mississippi. Discussing Confederate General Sterling Price, writes "Wee have give Genrel Prise Hell in Mississippi and tenn He was advancing on Corinth with 40,000 strong and Genrel Grant send out troops to Repulse him we drove them into a corner whare thare lay Now with a large swamp on too sides of them and our Forses ar belting the led." Reports that his brigade is guarding a railroad, thus have not yet taken part in combat. States that his captain is very ill in a Corinth…

GLC03859.08

13 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill learns that Snook and Boughton are still at home awaiting orders to return to camp. His mother must have written of their unsuccessful efforts locate new recruits, and Churchill laments the cowardliness of those who continue to remain at home: "O I wish that all such cowards would be drafted and had to serve there life time in the army if they would all come out as brave men aught come I believe this rebellion could soon be put to an end .…" Churchill reports "heavy cannonading" in the direction of Hollow [Holly] Springs, though he has not been involved in any fighting. Written…

GLC03859.10

24 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill complains of the sheer number of African Americans in the South, and shows reservations about allowing them to become free: "[I]f the nigers are free…then you will see how them Black Devils will flock for the north and I am sure we don't want them round us in the north….I believe the Union would be far better off if they would kill off every niger there is in the south."

GLC03859.11

27 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

There is news of an upcoming draft, which Churchill hopes will draw largely on Democrats and Abolitionists. Churchill also reacts to the arming of African American in South Carolina: "…I wished it was the Negroes that was slain instid of our white Population….I never liked the black rase but since I am in the South where they are plenty I think less of them." He reports that they are doing Provost duty in Grand Junction.

GLC03859.12

15 December 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

A train with 900 prisoners passed through Grand Junction, and another 1500 are waiting to be transported from Holey [Holly] Springs. The 900 passengers cheered Jefferson Davis and the Southern Confederacy upon pulling out of the station. Churchill hears news that "the rebels is About Destitute of Close [clothes] And not much to Eat."

GLC03859.13

19 February 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's brother William has been missing for some time, and his mother's attempts to find him have been unsuccessful. Churchill will not be granted a discharge as his health is too good, and no furloughs are being granted at this time. The Confederates are in the vicinity and managed to steal several mules recently.

GLC03859.14

17 June 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment is now stationed at Snyder's Bluff, where "the hole armey is bysly [busily] in Gaiged [engaged] in diging intrenchments and Bilding foarts…" From their vantage point above Vicksburg, they are "bombarding the sity With our Hevy Seage guns," though the Confederates only occasionally return fire. Churchill reports that the Confederates have tried to break through their lines on several occasions, only to be driven back each time. Churchill also reports good spirits among the soldiers, despite the fact that his company has no tents.

GLC03859.18

21 November 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's foot was run over by a wagon on the march to Bridgeport, so he is now driving the ambulance with the doctor. He observes a great rush to the front, but is not certain whether his regiment will be advancing there as well. Churchill notes that there is little to eat, as many troops have been passing through the countryside taking everything they can.

GLC03859.19

07 June 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment is moving towards Atlanta, driving the Confederates before them. Recent fighting has resulted in no casualties in Churchill's regiment, although he reports 16 wounded.

GLC03859.20

11 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports the evacuation of the enemy from their works the night before last, and men are now engaged in "reversing the rebel works." All is quiet as of this morning. Churchill tells how he spent the Fourth of July marching 16 miles or more, suffering terribly in the heat and the dust.

GLC03859.21

30 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports that he was involved in heavy fighting on both the 22nd and 28th, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The surgeon believes that there were 33 men wounded, one killed, and one who died of his wounds. There appears to be some sort of dispute involving money developing between Churchill and some people in his hometown: "…I will be at home after while my self then I will settle with some of them my self."

GLC03859.22

03 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Brief note enclosing his certificate of reenlistment.

GLC03859.23

09 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports little action, with the exception of the artillery exchanging shots now and then. Camp was moved this morning and all are now engaged in erecting shelter against the sun, heat, and rain. Churchill was on the skirmish line all the previous day in a torrential downpour and the rain continues today. Little attention is being paid to occasional rebel shells, as they are doing negligible damage.

GLC03859.24

16 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill would like his mother to send a box from home as his appetite is very good. Mrs. Robins laments the suffering of the soldiers, and urges the end of the war. She wishes no mercy for the South for their part in this "terrible tragedy."

GLC03859.27

circa 1860-1870

Men of Mark Publishing Co.

Engraving

Title: [Portrait of John William Flinn]

Engraving of John William Flinn, noted as published by Men of Mark Publishing Co. located in Washington D.C.

GLC04573.14

April 17, 1861

Osborn & Durbec

Photograph

Title: "[No.] 14."

View of a group of Confederate dignitaries in front of the shot furnace on the parade ground at Fort Sumter. The group is gathered beside a large mounted cannon, and is purported to contain both Wade Hampton and Gov. Francis Pickens.

GLC03919.05

1862

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Photograph

Title: [Photograph of Flinn as a 14 year old Confederate enlistee]

Daguerreotype photograph of John W. Flinn. Depicts Flinn as a fourteen year old Confederate enlistee, wearing a military hat and belt.

GLC04573.01

11 March 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Reports that his regiment is on Provost Guard. Three days worth of rations only lasts for two days, after which the soldiers must provide for themselves or do without. It is illegal to sell whiskey in town, and his regiment usually catches those who try to smuggle it in. Mentions trading papers with the Federal troops across the river.

GLC04573.02

26 May 1863

Flow, J.S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.M. Flinn

Billie [J. W. Flinn] has been wounded, captured and taken to Fort Delaware. Lieut. Col. Luse just returned from Fort Delaware and said Flinn was doing well. (Flinn was captured at the battle of Marye's Heights or Second Fredricksburg, May 3, 1863).

GLC04573.03

9 August 1863

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.M. Flinn

Spent three weeks as a prisoner at Fort Delaware. Has not heard from his family since he returned to camp. While at Fort Delaware, his father had come to camp to visit and went home without knowing the fate of his son. He discusses the losses from Battle of Gettysburg, " the hardest battle that has ever been fought on this continent," and lists a page and a half of friends and comrades who lost their lives in Pennsylvania. Flinn was ill during the battle. Written along the Rapidan River

GLC04573.04

January 10, 1864

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.M. Flinn [incomplete]

His regiment suffered heavy casualties in the battle. They were caught in the crossfire of several Yankee infantry units and within the sights of an artillery battery. He also speculates on whether Yankees in Virginia or Tennessee fight harder. The end of this letter is missing. Docketed on the top of page one, " Jany 10th 1864."

GLC04573.05

4 December 1864

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. M. Flinn

He received the sad news of his little sister's death. He asks about the cause of her death and the length of her illness. He did not receive a check his father sent to him. Signed: "your son William."

GLC04573.06

31 December 1864

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. M. Flinn

He has not received a letter since 26 November. He encloses a clothing permit, which will allow his father to send him items from home. The permit is to be fastened to the articles of clothing and "permit inside" is to be written on the box. He requests: "(1) hat (1) coat (1) pr pants 2 shirts 2 pr drawers 1 pr shoes 1 towel & handkerchief & smoking tobacco."

GLC04573.07

15 April 1901

Gordon, John Brown, 1832-1904

Typed letter signed

Title: to John William Flinn

Informs Professor Flinn that he is unable to attend the reunion of the South Carolina Veterans in May.

GLC04573.09

11 December 1889

Flinn, John William, fl. 1863-1893

Manuscript

Title: [Memorial ribbon and explanatory note]

The ribbon is pinned across the top of an explanatory note entitled "Jefferson Davis Memorial Badge," written by J. W. Flinn. The note indicates that the Flinn wore the ribbon at South Carolina' memorial service for Jefferson Davis. The note mourns the "dead President of the dead Confederacy," describes his himself as "a native of Mississippi -- a member of the 17th Mississippi Regiment and a personal friend of Jefferson Davis and of the Cause for which her [Nellie Flinn's] father fought & bled."

GLC04573.11