17 October 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Notes that their camp has moved twice since he last wrote and they are now in Alexandria, Virginia. States that they are two miles from the river and are currently employed in building a fort. He writes that the enemy is only 12 miles away. He is worried that the officers do not show enough bravery. So much so that he fears all will be lost if they do not show more. Writes that if there is a battle in which the enemy is to be defeated and give his country hope, he would not mind falling in that battle. One of his company is going home tomorrow and will pay her a visit. Tells her that he sent…

GLC03523.13.021

9 November 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written from Camp Richardson. Is glad to hear that she is feeling better. Suggests that she sends someone to get her state papers for her so she can recover. Writes that his sister, Wink, is doing well and that he will write her and his mother tomorrow. Writes that they are all awaiting naval exhibitions. There was a hoax that Fort Smythe had been retaken. Says that he will not be promoted to Lieutenant but his time will come soon. Will hopefully come during the winter if there is no change in the situation. Does not like the new Captain.

GLC03523.13.023

6 January 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Camp Michigan, Virginia. Writes that he is pleased his wife returned his letter so affectionately. Tells her that it is fine if she thinks him "foolish" for writing a love letter to her. Went to visit his friend at the hospital (he was shot in the face after Pohick Church was lost to the rebels on New Year's Day). Is unsure of the status of his furlough and unsure if he will be coming home. He says that this is also the case with many of the men and their furloughs.

GLC03523.13.031

1861-1865

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports what he knows about the promotion that just occurred and why Elhanan did not get it. Asks him to keep the information private. Discusses the crops. Says he sold eleven acres of land. Comments that some neighbors "...are down on the war and think the South will gain their points."

GLC03523.10.257

29 April 1865

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Manuscript letter signed

Title: [Pass for Eliza C. Skidmore and her agents]

Declares that Eliza C. Skidmore of Washington, D.C. has products of the "insurrectionary states" and has made arrangements to bring the products within Union military lines to sell them to agents authorized to purchase them on behalf of the United States. Orders that these products "be free from seizure detention or forfeiture," and that "officers of the Army and Navy and Civil Officers of the Government will observe this order." Requires these officers to provide Eliza C. Skidmore a means of transportation as well as "free and unmolested passage through the lines, and safe conduct within…

GLC02779.01

23 June 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written near Seven Pines, Virginia to his wife. He has rejoined his company and even though he has not been able to sit all day he is determined not to leave his post until he is "obliged" to. His company is "growing smaller everyday" and that one company which used to have 80 men has only reported two available for duty. Based on this he does not think they will be able to take Richmond, Virginia soon. Notes that last week he had to spend 48 hours on picket. Remarks that it is very sad how many have died between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia. Sends his wife five dollars.

GLC03523.13.046

28 April 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

He has been on the picket for the last 24 hours and feels very tired. They are being shot at and shelled all day and night. He writes that the enemy works are very strong and extend form the York River to the James River. Is glad that she has made friends in Lexington, Michigan. Sends her 10 dollars. Writes that he did not see Wink, his sister, or his mother while he was in Kalamazoo, Michigan before returning to the army because it would have made him seem like he was avoiding the battle. Explains to his wife not to fret about him and that if he were to die in battle it would be in "defense…

GLC03523.13.039

20 May 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written from New Kent Court House, Virginia. Writes to his wife that he knows she is worried about him, especially since he's been in battle [during General George McClellan's Peninsula Campaign]. Explains that he wrote to her the day after the battle and gave her "some particulars of the engagement." He is very tired from having to march with his heavy knapsack on his back. Thinks that they will be able to take Richmond, Virginia but notes that they have heard a great many rumors and are unsure what to believe. Writes that he will hopefully come home by the end of September and that it will…

GLC03523.13.041

4 June 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that even though he was sick he still tried to fight in the battle, but had to turn around and go back. Mentions the large number of sick and wounded coming into the hospital. He tried to leave the hospital yesterday morning but could not and had to stay. Describes in graphic detail the bloated bodies of the dead.

GLC03523.13.043

16 June 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written on the battlefield of Fair Oaks, Virginia to his wife. Reported for duty for the first time in two weeks. They have had recent orders to repulse the enemy from their picket and he expects an attack. Writes that they formed lines of battle but no enemy appeared except for six which another picket took as prisoners. Is unsure of when they will take Richmond but hopes it will be soon so he can go home. Is glad to hear that their families are doing well. Sends her some money but notes that he had to spend 20 dollars to pay a debt. Writes that one of his friends died from the wounds he…

GLC03523.13.045

28 June 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written near Fair Oaks, Virginia to his wife. Mentions that there are fights with the enemy everyday and he suspects it will be that way for some time. Notes that many of the battles are very hard and one even lasted for six hours.

GLC03523.13.047

5 July 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written near the James River to his wife. Writes concerning one of his friends, Mr. L. Walker who has recently died in battle. He explains that Mr. Walker was killed in front of him; the musket ball striking him in the face. He has suffered for the last week because of this and because of everything he and the troops have sacrificed. Comments that after one of the battles, one of the fallen Union soldiers was named Wilkinson. Hopes that no one falsely reports him dead. Their regiment is being reinforced and they expect to make a forward movement soon.

GLC03523.13.049

17 July 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written near Harrison's Landing, Virginia to his wife. Understands why the nation is filled with anxiety over the battle [Seven Days Battle] and the retreat. Is clearly upset about the retreat writing, "that over 30,000 brave men have been sacrificed in a useless and illplanned attempt to take the rebel capitol." Calls the retreat "shameful." Comments on how the officers and enlisted men try to rid themselves of the blame. Describes how the battle was lost and the retreat that followed. He writes that thousands of men staggered along the road for miles bleeding from their wounds. He cannot…

GLC03523.13.050

22 July 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson and his mother

Written near Harrison's Landing, Virginia. In the first part of his letter he writes to his wife that he is feeling better since he last wrote. There are mixed feelings about the last battle [Seven Days Battle]; some say it was a victory while others say it was a defeat. They have been furnished with tents and it appears that General McClellan does not intend to move again soon. Writes that he has lost all confidence in the generals leading his wing of the army. Told his friend how hard he had fought at Malvern Hill. To his mother he writes that he is sorry for causing her so much anxiety. He…

GLC03523.13.051

2 August 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that they have retreated from Harrison's Landing, Virginia and that the army has moved to reinforce General Pope. He states that he told his commanding officer that he needed some rest, so he was sent to Mansion House Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia along with 20 others. He reassures her that he is not sick but he is very tired. One of the men in the company died and all were sad to hear it. Asks her to take good care of herself and feels bad that he is away while she is sick. He will also send some of his 40 dollars.

GLC03523.13.054

4 September 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Mansion House Hospital. Sends his wife some money and plans to send more soon. He is hoping to save up enough money to buy 240 acres of land in Michigan. Writes that he is feeling very bad and is very weak. He will try to get home soon and if he does not get any better while at home he will stay there. He tells his wife that the army has been "whiped" for everyday for the past two weeks. He reports that General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson is on the Potomac and he expects to hear that General Jackson will soon cross into Maryland. He believes that if this happens Maryland will…

GLC03523.13.056

4 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp near Upton Hill to his wife. Writes that he has received her letter along with their baby's portrait. Wishes that he could be with his wife and baby. Explains that he is willing to stay until the war is over but also that he wants to be with his family. He hopes he can come home during the winter. States that President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation has raised the men's spirits. He is optimistic that the speech will give the people of the North some hope. He is now more confident in the army but some of the men say that if they do not do better the Confederacy…

GLC03523.13.059

8 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Writes that they are at their old camp ground and it looks like they will be staying there for the winter. Tells her that his health has improved and he is in good spirits. Does not think they have accomplished much but they did work and fight hard. Notes that the ranks have been so thinned that it takes four regiments to make one full-strength regiment. Writes that the dead and wounded of the regiment are spread out from Michigan to Richmond. Notes that many are either dead or discharged and many of the men are unsure of how they will…

GLC03523.13.060

14 October 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the Michigan 2nd Infantry near Edwards Ferry, Maryland to his wife. Writes that they marched 40 miles in two days. Notes the fine homes, beautiful scenery, and gives a general description of the area, which is, surprisingly, untouched by the war. States that Maryland is "wise" for staying with the Union despite the enemy making raids into the state. Also note that some Confederate troops have made raids into Pennsylvania. He is unsure of what he thinks of her reading his letters to other women. Hopes that his friend will be discharged from the army. Is greatly upset that he…

GLC03523.13.061

1861

Anderson, Fulton, 1820-1874

Pamphlet

Title: Addresses delivered before the Virginia State Convention by Hon. Fulton Anderson...Hon. Henry L. Benning, ... and Hon. John S. Preston...February 1861.

Wyatt M. Elliott. Representatives of Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina work to persaude Virginia to join a slave-holding Confederacy.

GLC09125

1861-1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grier Maitland [incomplete]

Incomplete letter. Appears to be written to his brother, Grier Maitland. Discusses the burning of Richmond. Comments "...I think it was perfectly right to burn it, as almost all the men of the town are in the Rebel army."

GLC03523.10.244

22 July 1861

Goodridge, Allen, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Goodridge, Amanda's uncle, writes that her husband is safe after being "engaged in one of the most deadly contests ever known" [possibly First Bull Run]. Explains that Frederick was placed in command of 23 skirmishers who were used in advance of other troops. States that it is wonderful for him to still be alive, and describes the battle in detail. Frederick and his men were fired at from a rebel fort. The only protection were the trees, which were soon "filled with bullets." States that the bark from the trees got into the eyes and face of Frederick but there were no scratches on him.…

GLC03523.13.005

24 July 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

States that he is alive and well. However, he cannot say that about all of the other brave soldiers who died in the fighting. For two days men came from every place and the rebels could mount 25,000 men against them. On Thursday in the afternoon 160 men, including himself, overtook the enemy near Bull Run and commenced the attack. States that 160 could not sucessfully take on 25,000. Once the attack failed the regiment tried again at night and were again forced to withdraw with losses on both sides. Reports that they fought long and hard against three times their number.

GLC03523.13.006

18 April 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written on board the [schooner] Donelson, Chesapeake Bay. Writes that he is lonely because he has been thinking of her and the baby so much. He was delayed for a while in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia. Thinks that he will be sent into action soon and that the Michigan Regiment will begin the attack. Believes that they will have a "good victory" and that the rebels' days are numbered. As he is writing the letter he arrives near Yorktown, Virginia and states that he can hear the roar of the cannon. States that General George B. McClellan has "things fixed so that they [the…

GLC03523.13.038

December 20, 1860

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Written on the day South Carolina seceded from the Union. Jokingly writes that he dreamt of being at a party with agreeable young ladies, but was abruptly awakened when he fell off his chair. Reports of strong Union feelings in Washington City amidst the secession of South Carolina. States that he infrequently visits the White House and has yet to see the East Room. He has received an invitation to visit Senator Simon Cameron, but has yet to reply. Complains of poor weather and asks Ellen to forgive him for such an "uninteresting letter."

GLC02016.001