January 31, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has finished all of his Sunday work and now is able to write. Describes his normal daily chores: "As soon as we get our breakfast we commence to fix up generally. First - take down the gun and rub it up and clean it. Next follow suit with the bayonet. Then comes the cartridge box and belts to black and polish. Then polish the pieces of brass on them. Then black our boots. Then make the bed and fold up the blankets and coats and lay them at the head of the bed on the knapsack. Then clean off the shelves of which we have only two." The list continues. He has to clean up his dishes and utensils…

GLC09355.044

13 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

It is tough to realize that it has already been 18 months since he first joined the army. Back then, "we were quite confident of a speedy success." Thought he would be back by the following spring. "Today everything denotes that we may confidently expect no cessation of these hostilities during our term of service." Part of the problem is that they are fighting an enemy "who are bound to hold out to the last man." Believes that many are deserting the Rebel army because they are not as invested in the conflict. Most of them are not rich slaveholders and therefore are not inclined to risk their…

GLC09355.051

18 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charlie

Is about as far from General Meade's headquarters as the distance from their home to the local school house. Never saw it until two days ago. Was given some leisure time while on guard duty and used it to go to Meade's headquarters. It covers "about 4 or 5 acres of ground." Meade's quarters are not as grand as one would think. It consists of "two large tents about 20 feet long and 15 feet wide. He could very easily pass for some attendant instead of the commander of the Army of the Potomac. "His dress is very plain and he does not put on any airs." The provost marshal also resides at the army…

GLC09355.052

1 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

This is likely his last Sunday at this camp. Orders came in that when they do break camp, they must not burn the camp down like usual. They must also not light any fires for the first two weeks that they are on the move so as to not give away their position. Those orders point to the beginning of a march very soon. The mail has not stopped yet. Sorry to hear that they all have "hard colds;" fortunately has not had one yet. Gets wet often, but the clothes dry right on his body. Sees Sid as often as he can. "I expected to hear you had built a hen house long before this." Supposes she will be…

GLC09355.063

2 June 1861

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He is glad to finally be leaving Rikers Island, and says he would have deserted if they had been there one more week. Once they reach Fort Monroe, everyone will have to have a rifle. He insists his father draw his pay every month as it will be of no use to him.

GLC07705.007

19 October 1861

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

There is a change in command. They are losing Gen. Wool who will no doubt be missed by all. This will change their whole schedule which he lists for his father starting at 5 am. He writes that he caught a deserter and earned extra money.

GLC07705.026

29 November 1863-2 December 1863

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He describes Thanksgiving. Things have quieted near Fort Wagner. He requests a picture of Martha and describes the weather. He met a deserter who claimed to have come from the Rebels but it turned out he was nothing but a Union deserter.

GLC07705.188

17 December 1863

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He tells the story about the deserter who left after a few weeks to join the Rebels but ended up on Black Island (in possession of the Union troops) and lied by saying he had deserted the Rebels. He was executed.

GLC07705.190

February 7, 1864

Lowrie, James Addison, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

just got back from Newbern where they had a skirmish and managed to the drive the yankees back to town. saw Rob as they were marching to witness the execution of two N. Carolineans who deserted their army.Written in a camp near Kinston, North Carolina

GLC08300.26

6 November 1861

Richardson, Israel B., 1815-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miss Nellie

He asks about George and says he is glad George turned out not to be a deserter at heart,

GLC07205.091

26 July 1861

David, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Whittford

No Year. He writes of how many soldiers wished they could have deserted when they had the chance. Family members would send mixed messages about wanting them to come home but never wanting to see a deserter.

GLC07205.073

28 August 1863

Kellogg, James H., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

He is getting better and a discharge does not seem far away. He mentions the numerous deserters.

GLC02415.042

February 1, 1864

Kellogg, James H., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

There are many deserting the rebel ranks. There are reports that these deserters may join the Union but he does not see much truth in these reports. One of the shirts she made him has shrunk terribly.

GLC02415.064

28 November 1861

Gilman, Joseph, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Enoch Q. Fellows

He is writing to see if there is any way Adolphus Hoit can be made to return to his regiment. He deserted from Hemstead Long Island. He is happy that Fellow's regiment gets such praise and accolades.

GLC02745.007

24 March 1863

Thomas, L., fl. 1863

Printed document signed

Title: General Orders No. 72

All deserters will be reported once a month to Col. James B. Fry.

GLC02198.02

3 July 1863

Townsend, E. D. (Edward Davis), 1817-1893

Printed document

Title: General Orders No. 206

The commanding officers are ordered to follow General Orders No. 72.

GLC02198.03

11 March 1865

Thompson, Wilmot, fl. 1864-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

One of the lieutenants deserted to see his parents, but they caught him and sentenced him to be shot. The weather is quite warm now. They have their guns now.

GLC02740.32

14 March 1865

Thompson, Wilmot, fl. 1864-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He is currently in the book house, just killing time. The Rebels currently have to keep shooting across lines all night to prevent deserters.

GLC02740.34

3 November 1863

Porter, Charles F., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

They had to stay in the barracks for a while and were not allowed to do much. However through the help of some friends they managed to get out every night. Theyw ere treated as straglers or deserters. He is sorry to hear his brother is drafted.

GLC02172.76

December 28, 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp at Brooks Station. Discusses the metaphoric "dark cloud" that hangs over the country and his feelings of disheartenment. Mentions the high rate of desertion, including a "rascal" who borrowed $100 from the other soldiers before deserting.

GLC02155.074

1861-1877

Johnson, D.L., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph note signed

Title: [note stating that one deserter "came in last night"]

GLC02750.212

16 May 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Has been on picket duty for six days. Writes that "contraniggers" and deserters are coming in fast and wishes his father "had a couple pigs to call him massa." Reports that he has seen some friends. Mentions "Hooker's -----" and explains that the latter term will be used until better informed. Writes that many of the prisoners that went to Richmond are exchanged and returning to their regiments.

GLC06728.046

20 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Glad to hear all is well. Sad to hear that [Silphey] had died and "sorry to hear that Charley was wounded." One of his comrade's guns had gone off, shooting him in the leg just above the ankle. The surgeon took the bullet out, and "it did not go through." Has been with the boys the whole time. His leg is rehabilitating quickly. "Can walk some" on the bad leg, but not completely. Still not much to do around camp. Weather is fine. Have not been in any real danger here. Joseph has gained seven pounds since he left. "They have sent plenty of men up to the front and they are going to take…

GLC09273.07

January 24, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are in "tip top health" and hopes she is too. Weather is clear but cool. Has been cooking beef all day. Is "the fattest I have been since we have been married." All the men can eat "like pigs." Does not think he will have to fight much once fighting starts, because his regiment is in the reserve corps. Leg had almost healed when it "began to swell up on my knee and got very sore." The doctor put "some stuff" on it, and it is getting better. Can still walk very well. His work is not too hard. Does not think any of his friends will get hurt fighting. Stopped writing for the night, and…

GLC09273.23

20 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Feels "first rate...my health is the best it has been for 4 or 5 years," but would feel even better if he were at home. Hopes this letter will find her and Oscar in a similar condition. Has sent $95.50 in total to her in the form of four $20 bills, one $10 bill, one $5 bill, and 50 cents. Sent home some gloves in Guernsey's box. Weather has warmed up at camp, so he does not need the gloves anymore. Sold his blanket to Guernsey for $2. Fayette and Joseph also sold their blankets. Will keep his overcoat for the time being; plans to sell it eventually. Has been away for almost…

GLC09273.34