11 June 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes to Martha about his contempt for deserters from his home town, the Hawesville Boys, who "have been treated so mean by their Officers yet I can't justify them in forsaking their Countrys Glorious cause because they were mistreated." Expresses his own pride at being a soldier. Discusses the respect between officers and soldiers in his company: "There is a strong warm attachment between Officers & men & a mutual pride in each class for the other." Sends news about the health of his own family and asks after Martha and her family; has sent Martha a flag and writes that it is "in…

GLC07006.01

13 September 1863

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Weir

Writes to Martha about hurting his hand by accidentally falling down six weeks prior to writing -- "it is still swelled some & quite weak." Discusses health of family members and friends; mentions the birth of a grandson. Writes that the mail service has been irregular because low river water prevents easy water travel. Brunt's camp has been "scouting after the Guerillas," recently capturing two guerrilla soldiers who "were pritty saucy at first." The guerrilla soldiers are being held hostage in retaliation for the capture of two Union soldiers. Tells a detailed story of a deserter…

GLC07006.03

February 7, 1864

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Writes from Alabama. "[G]reat scarcity in the land…we are where we hear nothing & know nothing. I have tried to keep as unobserved as possible…It now takes $100 to buy a bunch of thread…Charlie has been made clerk of Wheeler's ordnance he writes it is "bomb proof place: and for the first time he cries with the wiley fire eaters hurra for the war…The desertions from the army are awful I don't see how they keep an army together at all. It is strange our leaders don't see the hand writing on the wall & make peace on the best terms they can get…Scouts still threaten occasionally to kill…

GLC02691.11.054

7 October 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter yesterday. Still at the guard house but thinks he will be released soon. Is punished "by carrying a log." The lieutenant colonel was too busy "attending to his own private pleasures" to attend a court martial, so the colonel took it upon himself to give them some sort of punishment. It was a "splendid sight for the New Yorkers." Managed to carry a small stick. William Bridge arrived at the guard house two nights ago. He deserted and reenlisted to receive the $300 bonus as a substitute, but was recognized by members of his regiment. Thinks that "cutthroats" like him…

GLC09355.022

June 26, 1863

Ives, Warren A., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

The great battle has not come yet. Hooker's army is close by and can reinforce them while they prepare.Their men on picket have picked up some deserters from the Rebels. The sergeant is a drunk whom no one takes seriously.

GLC00653.03.01

August 1, 1864

Wolcott, Laurens W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are now in reserve but are constantly getting shot at. General Dodge got struck in the head by a musket. A deserter came in the other day giving them information about Hood.

GLC00653.11.12

May 22, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

In his letter, Henry Stokes Figures mentions that four men deserted but were caught and will be court marshaled. He asks his mother to make him new pants and a coat as the other coat she sent was 5 inches too short. Henry still hasn't received the appointment, and the missing soldiers, which now numbered 9, have been found. They are going to be brought before the Division Courts Marshall and Henry suspects that they will be shot. Also, Henry theorizes that he would be happy in the 48th, as he likes the Colonel and the Colonel likes him.

GLC00653.01.19

February 6, 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions he has joined a society in college. also speaks of wanting to improve his letter writing.

GLC02618.001

18 March 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions a cousin who was recently wounded and may lose his hand

GLC02618.002

18 September 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

Stafford describes a prayer meeting.

GLC02618.003

8 October 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

talks about sophomore year and roommate troubles

GLC02618.004

17 November 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

complains that he receives hardly any letters, talks about war in general

GLC02618.005

8 June 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

talks about the war spirit and the company that they started at school "Ogletree Guards."

GLC02618.006

12 July 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sisters

describes initial days as a soldier, camping grounds, food, the company

GLC02618.007

20 September 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

describes the life of a soldier: sleeping in the rain, changing landscapes, the food, etc.

GLC02618.008

15 October 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He writes that he received the blanket and requests his shoes and suspenders. He will send his pistol along with some money home. Written at Camp Masked Battery

GLC02618.009

7 June 1813

Bailey, Jacob, 1731-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah Bailey

A letter from Jacob Bailey to his wife Hannah Bailey. In his letter, Bailey details the Battle of Lake Champlain in Vermont and the capture of Captain Merrick and thirty-three soldiers from his company. He also writes about British soldiers defecting and gains made by the American forces. The Battle of Lake Champlain is also known as the Battle of Plattsburgh.

GLC02669.008

18 March 1813

Autograph document

Title: to unknown recipient

The author accidently came across a young deserter named Samuel Young and was in the process of taking him back to camp when the author was accost by a sergeant named Whitney. On the back of his document is a side note about the amount of money needed for buckles and the statement "To Money Reed 5.00."

GLC02669.022

January 10, 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

In this letter Paul responds to accusations made by Celicia that he does not write enough, and tells her that he writes whenever he can, and thanks her for what she sends. He asks her to write when she receives the money he sent to her, and he complains that he has "not receved any leter for too weaks." Paul recounts in detail what the sutlers do at the camp, the foods they make and for how much they sell them, criticizing "the way these Sutlers make thare mony of tho Poor souldiers". Paul then mentions that he read about a smallpox outbreak in Williamsport, though he assures her that…

GLC03058.06

February 17, 1863

Paul, Miles W., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Celicia Paul

Paul informs his wife that he is well and is glad that she is not working outside of the home any more because he was afraid for her health. He notes that her employers were kind to hire her and treated her well, and that he is glad that she bought herself some new clothes. Paul then asks her to send him a box and reminds her to send it via the Captain because the guard opens all other mail. Paul informs Celicia that he went on picket (group missions scouting for the enemy) for a week and that they suffered muddy conditions. Finally, Paul assures his wife that he will have enough money to…

GLC03058.08

20 October 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

to sister He says there is nothing new to report except the arrival of more troops. One of the soldiers in Company C deserted and will either run to the "secesh camp" or be shot if he returns. He praises Colonel Wyman for his character, saying "for my part, I like him better every day." There are many ships in the shipyard, including a cigar company boat that is being used by the military. He received a letter from Wallace [his brother who enlisted in the Mass. 22nd], and Wallace is in good spirits. Numbered in pencil "18." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.10

24 May 1862

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] He received a letter from the clerk of Victor, and sends it on to other men. The troops have left Camp Huger and marched to the fairgrounds. He has the shakes. The mayor of the town has given up his keys, and the Union military has successfully insisted that the stores remain open and accept Northern currency. He says the relationship with the local white people is improving but still embittered, and notes that "The darkeys are very fond of us, and I verily believe that the yellow girls all expect to get yankee husbands." Four Confederate deserters arrived at the camp. A…

GLC03696.14

16 July 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the wet and muddy march from Murfreesboro to Pelham on the way to Chattanooga. He briefly mentions recent losses from small skirmishes but notes general success in getting the rebels of out Tennessee. He writes that Bragg's troops are deserting to Union lines and that the Confederacy s "losing from every point." He writes that at the end of his three year term he wants to enlist as cavalry if the war is still going on.

GLC03791.007

January 11, 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports getting to ride a horse to get retrieve deserters. He writes that he had a nice Christmas. The rest of the letter is mostly marriage gossip.

GLC03791.021

24 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received a letter and a package containing tobacco, paper, and envelopes. Was almost out of envelopes, but had enough paper "to last me a month." Hopes he will be able to write a lot during the summer. Now has enough paper to write for the next two months. So many things are being sent to Washington that he had to give up his own tent. Has built summer quarters with a friend named William H. Averell from Conway. Will not have to do picket duty again until he returns to his company. A provost guard is never supposed to be near the front, so they will be all the way in the rear during battles…

GLC09355.061