1 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He reacts to his family reminding him about his pledge not to drink liquor. Defends his drinking of liquor by saying that they only pledged not to drink it as a beverage-not as recreation. Says that he has been indulging in it quite freely.

GLC03603.295

28 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that they have moved to a new camp. Colonel Ward is still is poor health and has requested a leave of absence. He writes of treating a "chill" with whiskey and thrashing his arms. He asks to borrow money as they have not been paid yet.

GLC03603.311

5 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda thanking his family for the valise and shoes that they have sent to him. He writes that Captain Hoyt's most pressing duty has been "guzzling whiskey." He writes that Captain Foss calls the headquarters "a public bar." Coit fears Colonel Ward's discharge because the men of the Regiment like him so much. He encloses some badges that he asks his sister to embellish with silver thread.

GLC03603.318

17 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes that he is located "3 miles below Suffolk, on the opposite side of the Nansemond River from the Rebs." Writes of a confusion which resulted in Lieutenant Foss being discharged for not reporting on time and that he will miss Sam (Foss) who he describes as an affectionate soldier who was just as against drinking as Coit was. Remarks about his anger that the 8th Regiment does not get due credit in newspaper stories about the battles. Written near Suffolk, Virginia.

GLC03603.224

26 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes waking and reading aloud the "testimony of generals before the Conduct of the War Comm." and then preparing and eating a large Christmas dinner. Describes trying to make "lasses candy" and suspending "a Castor trimmed with evergreen and candles from the ridge pole as a chandelier." Says that General Sumner does not grant furloughs unless there is some sort of emergency. Of General Sumner he says "An old "Bull" he is indeed & I don't like him." Captain Sheffield returned after recovering with a wound and brought two recruits with him. Asks his family to keep the secret that "…

GLC03603.176

22 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his mother for sending the newspapers and clippings. Writes of experiencing a very bad snow storm and the poor conditions of the enlisted mens' shelters. Whiskey was served to the entire regiment for warmth. Believes that his regiment is there merely to hold the land that has been captured. Gives a summary of what has happened to the men who were wounded at Antietam. Requests more photographs to trade. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.212

29 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to questions from his family about fixtures in their rental properties. Expresses interest in the results of the election and requests that a chess set be sent to him via one of the Norwich men who are home on furlough. Writes that he has sent $370 via another solider traveling to Norwich last week. Writes of the weather getting warmer and of seeing daffodils bloom in the yards in Suffolk. Describes how the soldiers spend Sunday, with detail about what activities they avoid on the Sabbath. Says that he believes that Captain Hoyt would be of better service to the regiment if "he…

GLC03603.217

28 March 1866

McSherry, Richard M., 1792-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Richard to his son Henry. Makes reference to Henry's sister Anna returning from Washington where bureaucratic infighting involving Henry's resignation was taking place. Says reports of intemperance were stated against him. Says "Do my dear boy quit the poison I believe I once before went to you on the subject. It will destroy soul and body, distress fathers[,] sisters[,] and brothers." Envelope marked by Henry stating that the letter was received in Hong Kong on 5 May 1866.

GLC03523.21.54

27 March 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Relates the story of the bureaucratic infighting involving his resignation. A man named Horowitz wanted to take Henry's place, but Admiral Lee intervened to keep the resignation open. There were accusations of Henry smuggling liquor on board and that he was "a drinking man." His honor was defended though and says "no one will ever say one word against you if I can help it." Creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.53

February 23, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Asks Darius, his brother-in-law, to settle some acounts for him back home. Reports that his regiment will march to meet General Hooker tomorrow morning. Mentions the Sons of Temperance a brotherhood of men who were committed to not drinking alcohol and asks if they have "turned him out".

GLC07460.016

15 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the men have been busy foraging for Rosecrans' Army. He comments that they've been learning drilling in the French fashion. Writes that the men have taken to singing at night in their tents and have some pieces of sheet music including "The Soldier's Dream". He also writes that his favorite piece is "Never Forget the Dear Ones that Cluster Around thy Home". Updates his family on the health of his company and writes that it is harder for a soldier to get a furlough. Writes about the alcohol problem at camp and states that although he is offered liquor everyday, he…

GLC07460.022

9 March 1822

Ritchie, William, 1781-1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Asks about the "probable fate" of a bill "to prohibit the importation of foreign Spirits," as he is soon expecting a shipment of rum whose value would be affected by the law. Complains about the already high duties on rum.

GLC06313.04.167

21 November 1864

Fal, J.L., fl. 1864

Letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Letter written in clerical hand of Lt. Paul Quinn as the Assistant to the Fleet Surgeon of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Letter is also signed by Quinn. The fleet surgeon was named Fal and it was written to McSherry as the surgeon on the USS "Wabash" at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Says his requisition for medicines has been filled and will be shipped as early as possible. Says they are out of whiskey, but that he can get some from the USS "Susquehanna," which was recently given some.

GLC03523.21.35

1861-1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry [incomplete]

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Updates him on friends and family. Says this will be the last letter he sends to Batavia, as he said he would leave in November. Will send next to China. Says their father will sell $1,000 of stock and sell Noble Tabb's house because the taxes are too much. Tells him "there is not so much business since the war. Mr Donnet(?) told Pa he had made a mistake in bringing such a stock of wines." Makes a reference to the citizenship oath in West Virginia. Letter ends mid-sentence on page 2. Unsigned, but creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.48

July 14, 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Writes to his sister from Camp Biddle. Reports that the camp is empty except for a few picket guards placed to guard the railroad. Comments that they are surrounded by secessionists who are armed. Says that the pickets are shot at almost every night and a bullet grazed a guard's arm last night. Reports that the Massachusetts regiment shot two men that were tearing up the track. Writes about their tents leaking when they first arrived and having to sleep upon their blankets on the ground. Says that they have 15 tents, six men to a tent. Describes how three of their men went into town…

GLC03523.49.03

23 November 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Writes about the preacher at camp. Comments that he is a good man but is not very smart. Says that he went to the preacher last night and was given a prayer book. States that he reads a chapter in the testament out loud every night before retiring. Reports that Captain Daniel Bradbury is to be court marshaled tomorrow for leaving his post while on picket duty. He has heard that the Captain might have to hand in his resignation. Assures his mother that she does not need to worry about him wasting his money on liquor, as he has never spent a cent on it in his life. Describes an older…

GLC03523.49.11

1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: [recipe]

A recipe that calls for alcohol, cyanne, lobella seed, turpentine, and gum camphor.

GLC03523.50.23

February 17, 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he is no longer with his company, that he has been detached to guard ordnance stores. Writes that he prefers it over staying with the company. Comments that he is not surprised that it takes two stoves to keep her and her husband warm since they are both very large and it probably takes a stove each to warm them. Complains about all the women getting married and says that there will not be any ladies left for the "poor soldiers." Discusses some of the men's drinking. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.31

5 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has cured it with cheese ginger snaps and brandy. Reports he was within 30 rods of the rebels line this morning. Writes they trade tobacco and coffee with each other and they all bathe in the same creek. Believes the two sides struck a deal not to fire at each other. Requests she writes him with all the news.

GLC03523.52.58

23 December 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that spending Christmas away from home will be difficult for him and he will miss his family. Discusses his celebration plans for the holidays. Explains that despite being away from home, he is able to visit his lady friends. Reports on news of various men that serve with Ward including Charly Locke whom he believes was been taken prisoner. Describes an incident where a shot hit his canteen and he mistook the water running down his leg for blood. When he determined he was not injured, he continued until shortly after, he was shot in the foot. Asks his sister to remember him to…

GLC02232.11

1 June 1862

Ubil, Frederick, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Writes to a friend. Discusses working four miles from Delaware City and having beer and sweet cakes. Enjoys living in Delaware City and going out every Saturday night. Comments "they are the old time democrats true to the union and they think everything that is not for the union is fools…" States they went fishing for "cessesion hering" with "mules tales in their mouths." Mentions that "the old gentleman" heard General Nathaniel Banks was chased into Maryland. Reports that General George B. McClellan took Richmond, Virginia; Corinth, Mississippi was evacuated; and Memphis, Tennessee…

GLC03523.43.01

10 August 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes to his sister from camp. Discusses the weather. Comments they have been living off of hard crackers for a week and are expecting bread tomorrow. Complains about the bread being sour and dirty. Discusses two new tunes that their band has learned. Writes about the ladies who come into camp and listen to them play. Reports that officers sent 15 to 20 deserters to a prison where they are to be court marshaled. Notes that this is one of the prisoners third time deserting and he is expected to be shot. Reports General Ambrose E. Burnside issued orders that anyone absent from regiment…

GLC03523.52.06

30 August 1863

Kessler, A.P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes from Camp Douglas. Notes the cold weather. Discusses another soldier in camp who is a mean drunk.

GLC03523.52.10

9 October 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Reports on a soldier who has not reported back to camp. Informs them that he expects their band to break up. Their regiment is short men, and he writes that it is hard to find good replacements. Comments that he will not pick up a rifle, if ordered he too will take a furlough and not return. Complains about the army and his regiment. Writes, "this thing of enlisting to get a Drunkard a position or and office is about played out with me…he (a recruiting officer) did not get Will Stevison I hope He know better than to come in such a miserable…

GLC03523.52.17

circa 28 September 1862

Carter, Kate, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Clegg

The year appears to be written in a different hand. State is not given; possibly Delta, Louisiana. Writes that she is sending her servant with items for Clegg's patients, such as cordials and teas.

GLC03133.06