9 January 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Drilling, describes detail work for loading supplies, size of regiment: 13 discharged, 10 deserted, 2 died,2 killed in battle and 26 absent. Punishments for deserters described, jokes about needing a drum to organize his life when he returns home, questions on family doctor bills, other home news.

GLC04558.061

January 27, 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Jokes about his wife's hanging his picture and how Burnside's marching orders made him loose weight, wishing he could hire a replacement, remarking that he despises the officer punishing a deserter more than the deserter, telling wife that son Leon should look at his picture "so he will know me."

GLC04558.065

24 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he and Darius have received money by way of Mrs. Warner, their captain's wife. He reports that General Dumont is issuing a notice in the papers identifying men who have deserted and offering a reward for their return. In response, the regiment voted that "it was justice to proceed in this manner." Wheeler writes that he and Darius are elated that they have their families support.

GLC07460.006

February 14, 1822

Cutting, Nathaniel, 1774-?

Letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses a memorial petition requesting a military land bounty for Stephen Raymond, the heir to Revolutionary War veteran Solomon Raymond, which had again come to his office. Indicates that his feelings about its merits have not changed and that he is sending it to the "Guardians of the Public Patrimony." He previously contended that the memorial had been dismissed because Raymond deserted in 1778 (see GLC06313.123). Written from the War Department's Section of Bounty Lands.

GLC06313.04.153

12 April 1862

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Says his last letter was dictated because he was unable to write. That was because he injured his finger while assisting the ship's doctor remove the tonsils of another sailor. After making the cut, the doctor handed the knife to him "the point of which was covered with pus, and just at that time the ship rolled suddenly, and I accidentally scratched the end of my fore-finger of my right hand with the instrument; the finger immediately commenced paining me; and in the course of the day, swelled to an enormous size; the swelling extending over the whole hand and half way up to the elbow."…

GLC02828.02

24 July 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Laying around, regiment ordered from Newport News to Richmond, problems with fleas. Discusses rations from Uncle Sam and NC peddlers: "that come from main land in boats. There is sometimes as many as ten or a dozen here in a day and some of them come forty or fifty miles and get here before noon. They wouldnt trade much though if they traded only for cash but they will trade for old clothes, shoes, grease, packing salt out of the bottoms of meat barrels or any thing to eat or wear. But we have to pay sesession prices for every thing a dollar a bushel for potatoes, a dollar and a half for…

GLC04558.034

19 August 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Second time on picket duty, contacts with rebel troops, relations with rebel farmer whose animals have been stolen, reading of a general order prohibiting theft, desertions listed, men re-enlisting, advice on farm, home and family to wife.

GLC04558.038

7 September 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes after his family has visited him. Says that he is feeling better. "The day and night that I was on duty we had more Conscripts in the building than at any previous time and I am most happy to say that not one escaped during 24 hours." The letter is written on a draft of a memo written to Lieutenant Pratt.

GLC03603.250

22 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses the men from his regiment who have deserted and how they were punished. Describes being ill and of other officers sending for their ladies. "… wonder if mine would come if I sent for her…"

GLC03603.259

12 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Describes a quiet camp and reading a novel called "Pique" until his candle went out at 4 a.m. Thanks her for sending a book called "Lady of the Lake." Describes singing hymns with the other officers and requests that he be sent his chess set from home. Notes that the regiment does not get very many recruits and that those they do get tend to desert. Writes that there is to be an execution of a deserter who Coit believes joined the Rebel side.

GLC03603.267

17 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes they marched to Getty's Station to attend the execution of a deserter but were told that it was to be postponed. Says that they received orders to march to Bowers Hill and then were transported to Suffolk by "cars." They came back to camp via Getty's Station. While on out on march, they set up camp on a night that is very cold. Since they have all been soaked during the daytime march, the men are very cold. The officers take shelter with a black Cavalry. "I would like to see a nigger with a skin so black that I would not sleep with him if he had a good blanket." He comments on the local…

GLC03603.268

February 4, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee. Reports that Ruthven Russell has died in the hospital at Gallatin. Writes that some fifty or sixty blacks have run away and come into the camp where General Paine has put them to work. Wheeler writes that a "good many of the Secesh are getting sick of their job and they are sneaking home." Thirteen soldiers from Wheeler's regiment have also…

GLC07460.013

February 25, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He remarks "truly a soldier's life is a life of inequalities it learns a person to take everything as it comes." George Bowen has deserted; he was under 18 when he enlisted and his father came to get him but "failing to do it by fair means George ran away." Captain Warner denied having taken the men's board money (see GLC07460.015). Fields has been appointed the new Captain.

GLC07460.018

2 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that a new order has been announced in which deserters will be dealt with promptly, even with the punishment of death. He also reports that new regulations are in affect for furloughs and only a certain number of furloughs will be granted per company to the best men. Comments on the lightness of guard duties and writes that he's only been on picket and camp guard once.

GLC07460.019

22 March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Sends his best wishes to everyone back home. Comments that he has not been sick since he has been in "Dixie." Writes that he is sorry to hear how many people are sick and dying back home. Describes how he would like to see all the deserters caught and returned to the regiment so they can see what soldiering is like. Informs her that he is not tired of soldiering yet. They completed cutting a canal through the levy last night. Mentions that some believe the whole lower part of Louisiana will flood. Writes of hearing cannons in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi every day and says…

GLC03523.32.08

1863

Nichols, Ambrose S., fl. 1863

Diary

Title: Diary belonging to a Civil War soldier

A war-weary soldier's diary provides contemporary eyewitness accounts of the entire Gettysburg Campaign, including the march from Maryland up into Pennsylvania, the battles at Brandy Station and Gettysburg, and the later push in pursuit of the Confederates. Nichols served in the 10th New York Cavalry. His entries are dated January 1-6 and April 12 - November 27, 1863, describing cavalry battles and engagements, the execution of deserters, and the horrors of battlefields during that critical war year. From Saturday, July 4, at Gettysburg: "They kept up the fite last nite till 10 o'clock and…

GLC09272

January 14, 1863

Higdon, John B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Higdon was an officer in the same company as Miller A. Wright. John informs Miller of the latest news of the regiment. Three men were caught trying to desert, and he is trying to get his troops ordered back to Georgia. He expresses frustration with Virginia, and Jackson's army. "I am heartily tired of this State service...I am willing to go anywhere so that we leave Jackson's Army, and Virginia...." Mentions another two men arrested and states "I would not be surprised if they were not shot."

GLC02691.11.032

23 November 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George H. Thomas

One day before the Battle of Chattanooga: "The truth or falsity of the deserter who came in last night stating that Bragg has fallen back should be ascertained at once. If he is really falling back Sherman can commence at once laying his pontoon trains and we can save a day." [According to Boatner, Grant learned from this deserter that "Bragg had weakened his lines on Missionary Ridge ... [and] directed Thomas to conduct reconnaissance in force to see if the Confederates were withdrawing."] To Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas.

GLC09383

14 August 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that he hasn't heard from his family in a long time. He updates his sister on Marshall's (Ward's brother, also referred to as Sam) whereabouts and condition. Ward writes that he spends most of his time in camp reading Waverly novels and the Bible because he doesn't care for Chattanooga or its residents. He complains that he is broke and needs a new pair of boots, which he hopes his sister will be able to furnish for him. Mentions Ms. Ettie (a former love interest with abolitionist tendencies) and writes that he wishes never to discuss her again. Informs his sister that Clarence (a…

GLC02232.20

29 August 1863

Engberth, Jacob M., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Comments on deserters being shot. Describes a deserter being led through camp behind his coffin, allowed to speak a few words, and "his leges wos tide up and kneeled becide his coffen and then thair wos twelve men shot at him…" Reports that two soldiers were shot from the same division, five were shot from 112th regiment, and three were shot from 12th Corps. Adds that five will be executed today in the army Corps. Mentions that the war will not last long once Charleston, South Carolina falls "it will strike tearer [sic] to the harts of all the Southren Soldier…" Mentions that General…

GLC03523.43.08

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

8 October 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from Camp Douglas. Informs her the fruit she sent was destroyed and not to send him any more. Discusses soldiers who have not reported back to camp. Comments they will be listed as deserters if they do not report back soon. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Addressee name taken from envelope.

GLC03523.52.16

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

6-7 October 1863

Holt, Talbert, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie Holt

Writes to his wife from camp near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Describes soldiering, commenting on marching and deserters. Discusses fighting in Chattanooga, noting the shelling and the hard life of soldiering. Writes, "I changed my clothing yesterday for the first time in nearly two months... many of our boys have not dressed or pulled of a garment, in over two months." Letter is partially damaged, causing minor text loss.

GLC03061.04

23 March 1864

Denson, Virginius S., fl. 1842

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Denson

Writes four miles from Richmond, near battlefield littered with skulls and bones. Discusses problem with sending and receiving mail. Also comments on furloughs, and mentions that some deserters will be shot.

GLC03135.02.04