24 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he is staying with Cousin James for a fee of ten dollars a month and that he is suffering from a sore throat. He still has the pain in his side, which he hopes does not augur anything fatal. Informs her that he is "applying for the position of Judge Advocate in one of the Court Martial [sic] about to be organized." He has bought a dress for his daughter Liz. He suspects that his office will close soon and he plans that when he does he will leave for home until "Conscript man [sic]."

GLC06582.44

25 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Asks her if she liked the "old homestead of [his] ancestors." He informs her that he passed most of his childhood there and goes on to describe the beauty of the land. Advises her to get Tom to accompany her to Newman's Hill from which she "can see Greenwood & Capt. Ward's with the country intervening." Writes that the office has been closed temporarily because Colonel Deas is acting as Assistant Secretary of War. He writes that he is staying with Cousin James. He also writes that General Raymond and his wife are also staying with Cousin James because they have rented their house away…

GLC06582.45

26 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the weather is somber with a "winter spirit." In addition to informing her that he has received a letter from Uncle Jack, he writes that he will try to send a dress for Lizzie and a handkerchief for Aunt Betsy (with prices marked on them so she will be able to collect the money). He hopes that she will be able to stay with Uncle Morton and Aunt Betsy for a while. Fears that his office may close. If so, he will have to enlist as a private, as he does not expect a position. He blames his own failings for this, not his friends.

GLC06582.46

29 October 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Reasons that she may not be letter writing as much because she is staying at a "frontier place" where communication can be "occasional & uncertain." He informs her that Col. Taylor has heard from Col. Deas that George should have no trouble receiving the appointment as Judge Advocate. He explains that despite this good news he is still "not sanguine." However, if he does get the place, he will arrange for positions for Jero and Pen. He writes that if they only knew where her father was they would be able to invest in the Redwood Farm. He says that there was a heavy rain that flooded the…

GLC06582.47

4 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions that he is "quite well with the exception of the side pain" which he does not believe will ever go away. He provides a sketch of his "mode of life." He explains why he may not win the appointment ("unknown to the appointing power, don't belong to the right political faith."). He asks whether Uncle Jack has sold his horses yet. He asks her to burn the letter after she has read it because he has written about particular people and the Judge Advocacy.

GLC06582.48

7 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received a two-day-old telegraphic dispatch as a reply to his letters from Jack. He thinks that his family must be in a "hurry & bustle" since the army headquarters are now stationed where they live. He asks who the various officers are. At the time he is writing this letter it is one o'clock and "snowing furiously" which he says has been the case since "before day break." He asks what price Jack received for his horses and colts. He also asks how long General Longstreet will stay at Redwood.

GLC06582.49

11 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He received her letter, detailing her flight from home. He also learned by reading someone else's letter that she and his aunt are going to go to "Halifax to Mr. Bruce's," but reasons that Cousin Ella must have been mistaken because she has not mentioned it in any of her letters. He writes that the appointments have yet to be announced. Thinks it would be "prudent" for Uncle Jack to hire servants and give up working on the farm until "more quiet times." He admits to not knowing what to write to her. He says he is "compelled to go into the Army" when he is finished with his present work.…

GLC06582.50

14 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that although he was surprised he was also pleased to see John, who arrived last night. He thinks the best thing she can do right now is board with Mrs. Pannill because the board is cheaper. He also thinks that it will be the safest choice because it will be three to four miles inside army lines. He describes potential movements of the Yankee army. He reminds her that Albert's wife has died of diphtheria.

GLC06582.51

18 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that Jack will go up in the morning and will bring with him a package of soap, candy, a dress for Liz, and this letter. He saw Dr. Rixey today and sent him $51 to be delivered to her. He got three handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy at $1.50 a piece. He asks her to deliver them and collect the money. He says he has yet to hear about his application and that further delay should be expected with the resignation Mr. Randolph from the Cabinet. He admits that not hearing much from home leads him to think that the family has forgotten him.

GLC06582.52

19 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that John left that morning for Soldier's Rest. He mentions sending fifty dollars with Dr. Rixey and says that he will send fifty more dollars when he gets paid. He writes that he has heard nothing more about his application. Additionally, he mentions that he has heard a rumor that the "President is dissatisfied with the nominations sent to him by Mr. Randolph." He mentions that Charley Williams will go up to Redwood and offer himself as a volunteer. He mentions that if he had the money he would do the same thing although that does not "bar the operation of the Conscript Act." He…

GLC06582.53

22 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he knows nothing about his appointment. However, he predicts that he will not receive the appointment because the other applicants "are men of great influence." He is uncertain about entering the army because he does not have enough money to hire a substitute, would not buy one if he could, and doubts that a physician will grant him a certificate of disability.

GLC06582.54

25 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He still does not know about his application but hopes he will soon hear the results. He is unsure about when he will be home and for how long he will stay. Admits to not knowing what to write since he has not heard word from home. He writes "the city is agitated in relation to Fredericksburg." He describes Nannie Pendleton (evidently a cousin) as a "sweet & smart girl." He asks about the condition of his horse and rifle and if the dress for Liz and the handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy were well received. He mentions that Gen. Haymond does not want him to leave the city and will try to find…

GLC06582.55

27 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He is worried because his wife has not written. Thus he thinks she is sick or has been offended by his letters, and so asks her to write back. He informs her of the Yankees' position. He tells her "they have evacuated Manassas, Warrenton & all the country north & west of Falmonth," and are now at Fredsburg or "opposite to it." There, he writes, the Yankees will probably "go to Suffolk & attempt a movement from that place." However, he assures her that the army is not worried and is ready for Lee in front with his great army, able & willing to meet & repulse them." In…

GLC06582.56

3 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received her letter and is very thankful. He also mentions that he bought her several hairpins "and any other little articles I think you may need." He tells her of his departure which will be between the 16th and 20th, and explains that he is "now exempt from military service, being a Notary Public", and so will soon see her. He also mentions that he is worried because as " the weather grows winterish day by day," the poor will suffer more and more for they have nowhere to go and the wood is "at 18 & 20 dollars per cord." He also describes the Yankees' position. He…

GLC06582.57

6 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the day before was one of the worse days of the season. He mentions that at approximately four o'clock the guard cried out that some prisoners were escaping. He writes that it was later discovered that three prisoners escaped and that one used a rope made out of their bedclothes. While three made it out safely the fourth prisoner fell from the ripped rope thirty or forty feet downward. He thinks that the prison guards will be fired on Col. Pendleton's return. He is anxious to get home, as this has been the biggest separation yet. He writes in haste and will have to stop to go out…

GLC06582.58

7 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Enjoyed reading the letters she sent him by Bob Daniel despite the fact that they were weeks old. He also mentions receiving a letter written by her the same day but delivered by John Gibson. He asks her to tell John that the 16,000 Yankees are in Winchester and that the Confederate troops have fallen back at Strasburg. He mentions seeing Mr. Major and that he has told him that Mr. Beckman has sold his farm to Sterns who also bought Mr. Morton's farm at fifty dollars per acre. He begins to say that he does not think it "bad policy to sell real estate." He mentions some conditions on the…

GLC06582.59

December 11, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that John will bring this letter up to her as well as a package of things for the family. He mentions that Uncle Jack got to Richmond last night. Says that Hansborough will be at their house within the next week or so she is to remember what he told her about him long ago. He was glad to get the long letter she sent him from Uncle Jack. He went to see the Assistant Secretary and his commission will be ready the following day. Comments on how her Aunt Mary, despite her faults, is a good woman and that he is sorry to hear of Mr. Beckham's situation.

GLC06582.60

15 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Since Uncle Jack will be going back up, George has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to write and send her this letter. He mentions that he has not heard from home since Jack left but expects that she has written to him. He writes that he will probably see her on Friday or Saturday. He says he has to wait for Col. Deas to get back from watching the enemy at "Fredsburg" to collect one hundred dollars. He comments that Fredricksburg is supposedly annihilated by the war with "hardly a house standing, uninjured, and a good portion of the town destroyed." Many people are living in tents…

GLC06582.61

19 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that Uncle Jack has yet to be awarded a contract and that the Secretary of War has yet to sign his commission as Quarter Master. He mentions his "horrid dream" about her last night that bothered him all day. He says that Nannie Pendleton and Miss Buffington will go up with him and that she should expect them on Monday. He is anxious to be home. He says that he has no time to write any more. He will go to see if Uncle Jack's collar is done. He sends his love to all and closes the letter with the idea that they will soon see each other "after so long a separation."

GLC06582.62

1873

Object

Title: The Great Seal of the Confederacy

Very rare silver medal strike from the original plate made ca. 1863. In original case

GLC08054

January 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Shifflet cried upon reading her last letter, glad to hear that the family was well. He reports that "our union men have gain[ed] another greate victory on cumberland river" though the men "had to dis mount from thare horses and fight on foot." He explains that if they "git green river and bowlingreen whip out we will git to come home." The Confederates came within a mile of his regiment's pickets and burnt down a railroad depot. The soldiers wanted to go see "the rebbles" but the Captain didn't allow it. He wants to hear from her every week as it does him "a heepe a good" to get her…

GLC02174.02

March 11, 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Written on patriotic stationery. Shifflet was very thankful to receive the box of chicken, pies, and cakes she sent as he "had nothing fit to eat for three weeks" and "it puts me in mind of home." He expects to see the family very soon if all goes as expected though "the prospect is now that we will have a fight." The Confederates attacked their picket lines the night before and his regiment stood picket twice but the "rebbles didn come" and it rained "as hard as I ever seen it." He believes "thar is a heep more danger to stand picket" than to fight on the battlefield. His regiment is…

GLC02174.03

August 19, 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Shifflet

Shifflet encourages his daughter to "be a good girl and mind your mother" and to "go to school ever chance you git." He asks her to look after the other children, Patsy, Mariah, and Jonney and promises to send money so that Fanny may have new clothes. He heard "not five minets ago that thar is was one hundred and eighty thousand [Confederates] a coming rite on us so we will hav to fall back to nashville in short order." He expects "some hot times soon" but says that he "shant fight much moore my self." Written at Camp Boiling Fork.

GLC02174.04

October 6, 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Written in pencil on patriotic stationery. Shifflet asks his wife to write as soon as she receives the money he has sent as he worries it is lost. He was nearby when George Ennis was shot and "my cap box was shot off of my belt and fore bullets holed in my blouse and my gun barrel [was] shot off." Stunned, Shifflet had to leave the field but he later "got another gun and went back but the rebbles" ran and his regiment "whip[ped] them badly by that morning." He says the Confederates failed to kill him but they "will never come enny nerer without kilen me." His leg was sore for two weeks…

GLC02174.05

January 30, 1865

Hall, Edward H., fl. 1860-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "My dear Mother."

Writes "There is some talk of an exchange now in camp. I hope it is indeed so as prison life is anything but comfortable."

GLC02234.29