9 July 1863

Chesney, J.M.M., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: Special orders

Orders for Major Henry Metcalf, commander of 58th Pennsylvania, to repost Heber Painter for mail carrier duties at the headquarters of the District of Pamplico.

GLC02016.102

21 May 1864

Dutton, A. H., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: Special orders no. 14

Orders to detail Heber Painter to special duty as Brigade Post Master. Painter is to report to the headquarters of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th North Carolina.

GLC02016.103

10 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Complains about the excessive heat and comments on the health of the soldiers. States that the men in New Bern are healthy, but those in Washington, Roanoke, and Plymouth have got chills and fever. Discusses his recent attack of fever, for which he took quinine. Writes that there has been no mail going north for the last ten days, which is why his sister hasn't received any correspondence from him. Reports that a colored regiment had just arrived, but doesn't know where they came from. He is very anxious to hear reports from General Meade's army. Jokingly mentions all the parties that…

GLC02016.035

19 August 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Writes that there will be no mail going north for the next week, so he is taking the opportunity to write before the last ship leaves so as to relieve his family of any worries regarding his welfare. Reports that many of the men in the company are sick with malaria, including Lieutenant Birmingham and Captain Jackson. Also reports that Major General Peck is now in command of the department. Discusses the change in weather. The department has been relatively quiet except for the capture of five cavalrymen across the river from camp. There was another attempt to capture some soldiers in…

GLC02016.036

14 August 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Writes from Camp Jones that he is currently on furlough. Writes that due to the negligence of the officers, the men are still at Camp Jones with nothing to do. Reports that John Hardman, a man in his company, died from bad whiskey and excessive heat. Says that he is able to go into the city on mail business and return at his leisure, but finds Philadelphia to be a disagreeable place. Will send money home once he is paid. Most of the men are present at camp with a few exceptions. Those that do not return by tomorrow will be considered deserters.

GLC02016.055

20 August 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that he has been relieved of his postmaster duties and assigned to recruiting services. Complains that the sixteen dollars a month he'll receive in recruiting services will not be enough. Expects to remain in Philadelphia a few more weeks. Some of the men have left the camp for home on a "French furlough" or absence without permission. Reports that the regiment is expected to leave for the Army the following Monday, but he is highly doubtful that it will actually happen. Hopes that the draft trouble in Columbia County serves as a warning to other communities. Requests that his…

GLC02016.056

9 October 1859

Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. George Work

Abolitionist and future Union Brigadier General writes of tension in "Bleeding Kansas." "I was stationed here about a year ago, after leaving California. I have marched about 450 miles in reaching here...we were ordered...to protect the emigrants...the old slavery issue, which did so much mischief, and embittered all the relations of society, seems to be dead, and the free state policy firmly established. The new Wyandotte constitution is doubtless adopted and most likely Kansas will be admitted under it. We have no apprehensions of war on account of [commanding Gen. William S.] Harney's…

GLC09138

November 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

Reports that Butler's canal is finished; torpedoes and mines will be laid in the canal. Discusses his Thanksgiving meal, which consisted of turkey, chicken, walnuts, and cranberries. Reports that the regiment has received one hundred recruits of which twenty have gone to Painter's company. Writes that he is no longer in the mail department because he received orders to report to his company for duty. Reports that Dr. Strawbridge, the medical director of the 18th Army Corps, was captured by rebels. Signs the letter as "Sgt. Heber Painter."

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4 April 1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his aunt

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports on the fall of Richmond and describes the streets of the city as being full of people cheering and playing music in celebration of the "conquering heroes." Writes that the city was burning and various explosions were happening when he arrived there. Comments that the people of the city are "resigned to their lot and submit to the national authority with good grace." The 3rd division, 24th Army Corps were the first to enter the city. Reports on a siege at Petersburg. Has written to his sisters and asks his aunt to tell…

GLC02016.079

January 22, 1832

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Requests that his brother-in-law send "Remarks on the Federal Land- N.W. of the Ohio- or Memoir on the Federal Lands" to Washington for use in a court case involving the City of Cincinnati. Instructs Paige to send it safely and "without the loss of a post" to Walter Lowrie, Secretary of the Senate. States that Mr. A. (Massachusetts senator Nathan Appleton) made a speech regarding [Thomas] Bouldin's Resolution, which "caused some sensation." Writes, "It contains some very good points... He Proved, Conclusively, that the minimum price [after], which Mr. [Hayne] & other gentlemen so…

GLC01946.15

20 February 1828

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Requests to hear about his brother-in-law's visit to Hartford, Connecticut. Complains that he has not received mail beyond Baltimore, and blames the stagecoach drivers. Reports that the stagecoach got into an accident going to Baltimore while carrying Associate Supreme Court Judge Joseph Story. States that he has a visitor and stops writing. Returns to report that the visitor was New York lawyer David Ogden. Year written in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.08

17 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that he is in Peekskill with General [Nathanael] Greene. Asks Lucy why she did not write to him in the last post, declaring, "I write you by every opportunity and expect the same from her who is far dearer to me than life..." Asks about her recovery, possibly referring to her recent bout with smallpox.

GLC02437.00593

16 April 1863

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert writes to his parents while on board the United States Steamer Utica on the Potomac River. States that he and his shipmates expect to reach Fort Monroe, Virginia, the following day. Reports that he sent a letter to his parents the previous week, after which he received orders to report to Alexandria, Virginia. Relates that he (with his regiment) might have to travel to the Black River, North Carolina, to "take the place of those troops which have been sent to Reinforce Genl Foster ... " Refers to several pictures of himself which were possibly delivered by [Lieutenant?] Osborne to…

GLC06298.02

8 July 1864

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert replies to several letters he recently received from his parents. Mentions family members and acquaintances, including the death of Uncle Peter. States that he has confidence in General Ulysses S. Grant's siege of Richmond, Virginia. Expresses disappointment in missing a family picnic, and discusses the availability of fresh vegetables at his station. Refers to the delivery of his letter to his parents by Chaplain Willis. Mentions the activities of Generals Foster (possibly John Gray Foster), Alexander Schimmelfinnig, and Hatch (possibly John Porter Hatch). Relates details of…

GLC06298.04

10 August 1775

Griffin, Cyrus, 1748-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burgess Ball

Informs Ball that he will be unable to travel home soon due to his management of the Chichester affairs. Discusses his management of Ball's business/ financial affairs in England. Discusses the sale of estates (possibly owned by Ball) in England. Plans to complete Ball's affairs during the upcoming winter. Expresses regret that Ball had to draw Bill's, predicting the worth of bills will increase by the following April. States "As to Politics, I refer you to the reverend Mr. [Wm.?] John McKay who will be at your house in a little time in his way to Richmond from Norfolk; he will give you…

GLC04377.04

31 July 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Anticipates seeing Knox by the middle of August. Observed that Major Jackson was appointed Postmaster General (although this was wrong, Timothy Pickering was appointed on 12 August 1791). Says the news will "disappoint & mortify" their friend David Cobb. Asks him to keep him in mind for the "marshalcy." Refers to his claim to the job as his "hobby horse."

GLC02437.05095

18 September 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that on Friday evening, he received an express from William Duer from New York that only took 45 hours to arrive. The letter said Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche will be leaving New York by 18 September with 20 of her people to proceed immediately to Maine. The 20 people are to remain there to prepare their establishment, while she returns to New York to finish the necessary arrangements and conclude the bargain. Before receiving this express, he had engaged a Hingham packet, which he was supposed to pay $3.50 a day, plus associated costs. The ship has been waiting to leave…

GLC02437.05163

24 July 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 17 July. Will forward the letter Knox included for David Cobb. Claims that Cobb will write him and President Washington about the Postmaster General position. Tells Knox that Cobb's situation is "a very unpleasant one." Reports that Cobb is out of debt, but that he has 11 children and a wife to support without the means of doing so. Says that Cobb needs an appointment to a federal job to sustain himself. Reports Philips, the chairman of the Committee of the Sale of Eastern Lands, met with him and they discussed possible purchases. Will not do anything until…

GLC02437.05081

22 July 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes he received this day from Captain Chessman a tin case containing the maps of the District of Maine. Hopes Knox receives them safely. Says he will see the advantage of purchasing Mount Desert by looking at the maps. Saw in the newspaper that Postmaster General Samuel Osgood resigned. Puts forward David Cobb's name for the position, claiming "he expects it." Says Cobb's situation is disagreeable with a family of 11 children and no employment. Begs "save him - for godsake save him - he is one of the best men on Earth." Timothy Pickering was appointed the next Postmaster on 12 August…

GLC02437.05080

3 November 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes from the court martial offices in Memphis. Says the boats from Cairo have not arrived in a week with mail. Expects to hear from her soon. Expects to remain as a court clerk through the winter. Remarks his health is good. Comments the weather is wet and disagreeable. Begs her to write often.

GLC03523.10.142

January 10,1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses recent trouble with the post, his estate (William handled many business matters in Knox's absence), and a petition. Possibly referring to his own estate, expresses relief that William has chosen Joseph Peirce as an agent. Requests that William send some unspecified things, noting "The matter to Mrs Knox is of so much annoyance That no pains or expense must be spar'd in order to get them here timeously." Mentions the arrival of "the Miss Winslows" at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Relates that the Winslows will travel to Boston. Refers to the ship the General Arnold. In a post…

GLC02437.00745

February 13, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains why he has not written recently, citing "a very bad arrangement between me & the post Master." Expresses relief that he and William agree regarding an unspecified matter and a Mr. Hichborne (most sources say "Hichborn"). Refers to the "hoorid fate of the General Arnold." Notes "humanity recoils at the Idea of the distress which the poor families must sustain by the loss of their husbands, fathers, or brothers in that tremendous catastrophe" (the General Arnold, a ship, crashed on a sandbar outside of Plymouth, Massachusetts in December 1778). Knox had some investment in the…

GLC02437.00750

20 March 1779

Smith, Hugh, fl. 1779

Autograph document signed

Title: [Account of postage paid 20 March 1779]

Title from docket. Knox pays Hugh Smith postage from July 1777 through 20 March 1779. Smith confirms receipt of postage from Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp.

GLC02437.00754

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

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."

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