5 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Foss and responds to a letter sent by his family mentioning George Coit living away from home to attend school.

GLC03603.222

21 March 1865

Bekner, P.E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: To the hands employed or expect to be employed on Mr. Gibson's plantations

Letter from the office of the Provost Marshall orders the hands on the three plantations to go to work whether or not they have an agreement. Accompanied by a U.S. Military telegraph envelope addressed to Tobias Gibson with a docket date of October 31, 1862.

GLC04501.035

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

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

February 22, 1863

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Reports that it has been snowing all day long. Says she has not heard from him "for sometime." References the military situation around Martinsburg, saying "the cavalry may make a dash at any time, they are all around and captured a picket guard between here and Winchester two or three days ago." Mentions other skirmishes and troop movements and says a railroad in Mercer County is being guarded. Refers to her state as "W. Va." on page 3, about 5 months before it became a state. Says she might go to Baltimore to visit their sister Kate soon. Says one of…

GLC03523.21.20

8 October 1865

McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Eliza to her brother Henry. References receiving his letter from the Cape of Good Hope. Is glad he is well and tells him his future "is in the hands of God, ask him to direct you, and it will all be right." Updates him on family and friends, telling him their brother Willie is now back home. Says "while the whole world has almost stood still you have been carried around to the other side of it. tho to us they have been nearly the same, I think you did well to enter the Navy when you did. you certainly could not have been doing anything better during the last four or five years and…

GLC03523.21.43

11 June 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania. Mentions that they are under strict rules in the camp; two pages of paper are issued each day to a company and they can wash in the river every other day. Writes about a fellow who was court marshaled yesterday for striking an officer. The man had to spend five days imprisoned; he was then marched out of camp and taken to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was given a new suit and 30 dollars. Most of the camp took the man's side because the officer had abused him. A fight later broke out in camp where some men pushed the guards around.…

GLC03523.49.01

17 July 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that their brother Marshall has returned from the hospital. As Ward had no immediate occupation to assign to his brother, he sent his brother back to the hospital and put him in the charge of one of the surgeons. He writes that Marshall is better off working in the hospital as he is paid $25 per month, which takes care of clothing and other necessities. Comments on the heavy trading of tobacco with Union soldiers. Some of the Confederate soldiers were found trading with the Union soldiers and have been punished. Ward describes the "ominous stillness" of the two armies; the calm…

GLC02232.32

11 July 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Reports that they entered Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4th. Describes conquering and entering Vicksburg, Mississippi as being the most glorious fourth he ever had. Reports that 30 to 40 thousand men surrendered and were taken prisoner. Remarks on the layout of Vicksburg, Mississippi and says that is made up of nothing but gulfs and levies. Comments that they are now busy fortifying and performing guard duty. Notes that they have to be on guard duty every other day and sometimes daily. Writes of a man named Burnsam being a scamp and wishes that he would have to…

GLC03523.32.17

circa March 28, 1865

Rexford, H. E., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Thanks him for his letter and comments that he doesn't always receive them. Says that the railroad has been very bad lately and that they cannot receive any mail from them. Reports that he cannot go into town unless he takes a guard with him and that there is a 12 foot fence around the camp. Says that if he doesn't stop writing now he will miss roll call and will be sent to the guard house. Letter is damaged causing minor text loss. Envelope is addressed to John Reeser; however, as the letter is addressed to a "Mate," it is possible that the envelope does not belong to this letter.…

GLC03523.43.26

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

January 19, 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Speaks of a friend named John choosing to "serve god." Comments that he is fond of Professor Waldon and believes him to be a "clever honest fellow." Says that they recently purchased a stove that smokes a lot and built a "Shebang" out of logs. Reports that some of the boys have been court marshaled and that he has been subpoenaed to testify. Describes there being hard feelings between some of the boys from Athens and Smithfield. Mentions that Captain Daniel Bradbury just lays abed swearing about his leg. Says that the Captain, "uses the most…

GLC03523.49.07

February 15, 1862

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Don

Writes from Camp Pierpont. Wants Don to visit and see what camp life is like. Tells of the different kinds of societies that exist in camp. Inside the tents he states that there is usually gambling and card playing, even amongst the officers and with those who are under arrest. Discusses the Lieutenant Forrest trial. Says that some of the charges against him were sustained; however, they [the army?] were not satisfied and have brought more charges against him. The first court-marshal resulted in a reprimand from General George McCall. The Lieutenant was found guilty of using…

GLC03523.49.09

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

February 15, 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday. Reports that Fort Donelson was just captured and a lot of prisoners taken. Among the prisoners was the notorious traitor, [Sue] Floyd. Speaks of the captain yelling and swearing at people all the time. Says that he tried to get a furlough to come home but was denied. Writes that that he is sending $46 home and hopes to send $1000 over the…

GLC03523.49.15

12 July 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister. Inquires after the folks back home. Reports that his and another regiment might be put on provo duty. Comments that if they are put on provo duty they will be staying in place for a while. Speaks of friends and family.

GLC03523.32.37

1 August 1863

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [George Washington Custis Lee endorsement on letter from F. Glackmeyer]

Written on F. Glackmeyer Autograph Letter Signed to Col. G.W. Lee. Mr. Glackmeyer was a special agent in the post office department. He is writing Col. Lee to inform him of a recent series of postal crimes. A soldier by the name of Guttenberger was found to have been using his position as a military guard on the Macon and Western Railroad to transport newspapers free of postal charge, which he subsequently sold to newsboys at the end of the line, turning an exceptional profit. Because the man was a soldier, Mr. Glackmeyer chose to inform an army officer of the circumstances, rather than…

GLC02691.11.043

8 April 1863

Carter, J. D., fl. 1863

Manuscript telegram

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

Telegram to Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio. "I have arrested a S Edwin…for aiding the enemy…I took from his farm five (5) Horses and mules also three (3) negroes…Shall I keep them or return them when I have done with them? He is rich and a very mean secesh…."

GLC02414.227

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

4 October 1863

Boham, Milledge L., 1813-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James A. Seddon

To James A. Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, sending "a copy of the Report of the Provost Marshall's Court to whom the Negros--slaves and free--captured on James and Morris Island on the 11th and 18th of July last were committed for trial."

GLC09402

19 March 1879

Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901

Pamphlet signed

Title: Report of the Board of Officers in the Case of Fitz-John Porter...

"Report of the Board of Officers in the Case of Fitz-John Porter, Late Major-General of Volunteers" published by the Army and Navy Gazette. Annuls Porter's 1863 court-martial and restores his position of major general. Includes transcriptions of communications between Porter and General Pope before the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, after which Porter was arrested for actions that Pope said led to the Union defeat.

GLC09312

15 July 1865

Van Wyck, C.H., fl. 1865

Broadside

Title: General Orders No, 3

Brig. Gen. commanding Military District of Western South Carolina during the Southern Occupation period, orders equal rights for the newly freed black population. Recounts incidents of abuse of freedmen and threatens punishment if such acts continue: "Like offences will be severely punished some very wicked men by disregarding the rights of the freedmen render necessary the presence of military power to prevent that which they ought not do however obnoxious it may be, every man is free and must be treated as such you cannot expect the sudden change in your system of labor to work smoothly."

GLC09325

17 June 1865

Ordway, Albert, fl. 1865

Document

Title: [Transmittal notice]

Transmittal letter from Ordway, Lt. Col. 24th Mass., serving as Provost Marshal of the Department of Virginia, pertaining to the President's amesty proclamation.

GLC09326.02

1866-1868

Woodward, York A., fl. 1866-1868

Header Record

Title: [Collection of York Woodward] [Decimalized .01- .18]

15 letters written by a Freedman's Bureau Superintendent, from January 1866 to February 1868. Many are from Abingdon, VA, and reveal the personal responses and official actions of a Pennsylvania veteran who served throughout the Occupied South as a government agent. "Our court met and adjourned till 2 o'clock we disposed of 4 cases I am yet Monarch of all I survey. The folks pass me by on the other side of the way, but if they have any trouble. I am the one they apply to the farmers have been plowing nearly all the week; it looks strange to see people at their farms work in the month of Jan…

GLC09327

22 June 1862

Jones, William B., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Jones writes from headquarters, Camp White House. Wishes Reeser well. Reports that he is within twenty miles of Richmond, Virginia and his company is fighting off Confederate guerrilla parties. Describes a skirmish in which the Confederates wounded twenty Union men, burned some hay and grain wagons, and stole mules. Jones's men took sixty Confederate prisoners. Describes confederate soldiers acting as "farmers and younian men untill we get out of thare site… we cant yet to do as we pleas or we wold not hav afarmer in Viriginey we wold kill them as fast as we cold find them… " Mentions…

GLC03523.43.02