13 November 1862

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Lydia A. Bishoff]

Swisher tells Bishoff he has undertaken a long, fatiguing march since he last wrote. He is now 22 miles south of Manassas Junction in camp until his regiment receives some clothes. He believes that his regiment will then take up the march for the rebel capital, which he expects the Union army to capture before many months elapse. Swisher reports that there were many little skirmishes on the recent march, but that there was seldom anyone hurt. He was surprised to hear of his friend Daniel H. Wagoner getting married. Dick is sick and at the hospital, but was not bad when Swisher last saw…

GLC03523.40.19

22 March 1863

Shafer, David H., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

There has been some confusion over delayed receipt of letters. Even though Bishoff wrote Shafer twice, he only received one letter (in February). He thought she had forgotten her "best friends that are absent from home." Regardless, Shafer promises Bishoff that it was nothing more than a mix-up. Shafer discusses some news he has received from home (that Dan Wagoner is getting married). He then remarks that there are plenty of good-looking girls around, who are nearly all Irish. He explains that there are presently two companies at Sir John's Run. Shafer tells Bishoff he is stealing her…

GLC03523.40.24

20 April 1863

Swisher, Daniel, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

Swisher tells Bishoff he supposes the man she loves is Major [David] Stemple [Jr.] He says that if she marries him, he will make her a happy home as he is well-off and a man of principle. But he reminds Bishoff that she is a young woman while Major Stemple is an old man (probably 50 years of age), and that while she ought to be living her happiest days, she will have to be caring for him. But Swisher adds that he has no objections to her marrying Stemple, because he always likes to see people "work out their own salvation at what ever they undertake." He asks Bishoff to tell him who she…

GLC03523.40.25

20 May 1863

Swisher, James S., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia A. Bishoff

He would like to know how Bishoff and the "Old major" are getting along, and he would like to be informed when they get married. There are about 100 sick soldiers in the hospital. The Colonel has moved his headquarters to Rowlsburg and there are only about six hundred soldiers there now. He received a letter from Dan since the late Battle at Fredericksburg, who said that there was one killed in his company and four severely wounded. He asks Bishoff to give his love to "all inquiring friends especily the girls."

GLC03523.40.26

1 July 1854

McLean, William, fl. 1854-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Dewey

He talks about his future marriage with Mary. He needs her support. Even though he has bad habits, Mary tends to indulge him. He asks Mrs. Dewey for best wishes.

GLC02161.002

6 September 1900

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

Alludes to a secret; says he is "perfectly willing to wait several years as you said" and tells her that he went to Alaska, because it was the only place, a man could find work, "but it is a dogs life and you might as well be buried, no pleasure, no amusement or anything. Simply work, work, work." Mentions buying provisions in quantity.

GLC05755.016

5 March 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond implies that since it was a leap year, Estelle should have proposed to him.

GLC09120.369

17 April 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the contents of a package that his parents have sent him. He recalls the day that he proposed to Estelle, and comments that nearly a year has passed since that date, May 18th. He then discusses how important Estelle is to him in his present position: "When I returned from the front with the nauseating stench of the dead lingering on my cloths it was the memory of the past, which is you, that made me throw off the melancholy."

GLC09120.394

26 April 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the trials of being so far from one's sweetheart. He recounts the story of his former sergeant, who had been engaged, but whose ex-fiancee is now using the bedroom set that he had purchased with her new husband. He mentions that he is reading "The Making of the Mind", commenting that all of the world's ills can be cured by "intelligence."

GLC09120.403

31 March 1901

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

re: Remembers what happened a year ago. Spent his Christmas and New Years, had lovely time. Mentions taking a position in the post office. Discusses a wedding.

GLC05755.035

3 May 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his opinions regarding pre-embarkation marriage.

GLC09120.406

11 May 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has enclosed a questionnaire that "concerns two misguided morons who for no other reason than lust, financial gain, and imbecility consider the problem of spending the rest of their natural lives making each other miserable."

GLC09120.410

27 May 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to a number of Estelle's letters. Regarding "that hotel deal," he writes that he regrets not having had "those few moments free from fears of curious eyes, of parental scrutiny, - just to be alone -." He informs Estelle that once they are married, he plans on forgetting "every bit" about the islands and his war experiences. Diamond describes his former company commander, a "Jew baiter", writing that he feels a little more comfortable now that he has left. He then discusses how reform can be brought about, with reference to Robinson's "The Making of the Mind".

GLC09120.420

4 June 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he does not want a large family, but that he plans on "consulting" Estelle first.

GLC09120.426

23 June 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that they are "doing little else besides train and train some more." He describes a party that a Lieutenant Rubin had given in honor of his fiancée's marriage to another man: "killed a bottle of scotch - laughed - joked…" He also states that he is to give a "housewarming party" that evening.

GLC09120.440

7 April 1901

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

re: Easter. Weddings. Misses Clara very much and wants to see her. Asks Clara to marry him as soon as he comes home. Describes the church where he went on Easter. Hopes Clara visits Philadelphia. Writes to Clara about Mr. Flanagan.

GLC05755.036

26 May 1901

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

re: A birthday letters to her. Wishes Clara all the best wishes and love. Received 4 letters from her. Wants to save enough money to get married with Clara. A big fire took over Nome. Writes about the mail detail.

GLC05755.039

7 August 1886

Manson, O.F., fl. 1886

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

[Manson is one of the professors who recommended hiring Alfriend at William and Mary, see #05.05.] Pleasant letter describing summer activities and criticizing women's obsession with fashion as a financial strain to their fathers and husbands. He adds: "I hope the time will come when talents, character, refinement education and excellence of disposition will be more prized than dry goods. The masses of the people are becoming educated and cannot worship finery much longer."

GLC05344.05.06

January 26, 1902

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

Getting news of the Boer War; Dreamed he had married her.

GLC05755.074

12 December 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Realizes that life is short and flying by so he deeply regrets being separated from his wife. Writes that he feels disconnected from his wife because they have been apart for so long. Wishes that the Union will soon be reunited and never part again. Hopes that he will return home soon and relieve his wife of the outdoor work and other chores. Keeps healthy by praying to God and being thankful for the food he eats. The band is serenading Mrs. Colonel Graham of the 5th Regiment. Asks if Mrs. Grant has…

GLC09006.09

10 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Tells his wife that he will send his resignation request to the Colonel this week and hopes that it will be accepted in a week or two. Mrs. C has dyspepsia. Went to the Paymaster today but was told that he could not be paid for one week. Wishes to be at home with all his dear ones around him. There is great anxiety there about the Battle of Yorktown (April 5 - May 4, 1862) but they all "hope that McClellan will be more than victorious." Tells his wife to take good care of herself and make sure that she is in good health.

GLC09006.11

17 October 1901

Miller, Clara M. fl. 1901-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin B. Sherzer

With clipping from St. Louis Daily Globe Dispatch 10/17/1901 (wedding of Sherman W. Boner to Edith L. Holbert.) Date inferred from clipping.

GLC05755.102

6 July 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he had given a lecture to an infantry outfit that morning. Sidney writes a short "scene" between a man and his wife.

GLC09120.451

14 August 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that she has been very good to him, and requests that she allows him to spend the rest of his life repaying her. He apologizes for having gone "off the deep end" at her.

GLC09120.478

9 September 1944

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses planning their wedding with Estelle.

GLC09120.498