30 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports on the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20th during the Atlanta campaign. Though he reports victory: ("if ever men melted away it was the rebbels when our Brigade let inoto on them"). He also observes the jumbled changes of command and affirms that his new Colonel is indeed "true blue."

GLC03791.016

5 September 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the trickery that led to the fall of Atlanta. His regiment again worked primarily on the railroads and reports that casualites for the regiment were light. He describes the general love for General Sherman who masterminded the "worst whippin [the rebels] ever got[.]" He tells Delia he will send her a letter he took off of a dead Confederate [not included in the collection.]

GLC03791.017

8 October 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports that his division has been stationed behind the front lines back in Chattanooga, relieving some men who are to be set to the front lines. He supports Abe Lincoln and the prospect of a draft. He mentions some acquaintances who were able to return home for furloughs, including an exchanged prisoner of war who is likely going to stay at home.

GLC03791.018

10 November 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes his march to Pulaski from Nashville, which was overall, pretty lousy. He asks about his fellow soldier just home on furlough. He finishes by describing the social party life in camp.

GLC03791.019

14 December 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Cranor reports his new location and that he is safely out of the line of battle. He complains about the cold weather and tells the story of a mutual acquaintance who had his nose shot off.

GLC03791.020

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

1861-1877

Slocum, Delia, fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter

Title: to Franklin Cranor

re: The transcript of a love poem probably kept from a longer letter from Slocum.

GLC03791.023

8 March 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Reports that washed out bridges have resulted in no mail delivery for a week. He writes that lack of news has made him "tired and lonesome." After the arrival of the postmaster he closes his letter and reopens it the next day, where he mentions a telegraph dispatch reporting General Sheridan's capture of Confederate General Erling [Early]. He is afraid it is "all most too good to be true."

GLC03791.024

23 June 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent the day before and the continued good health of their brothers with him. He describes the location of regiment in relationship to Atlanta and the rail road tracks and expresses hope that they will be in possession of the railroad soon. He mentions the importance of having possession of the railroad tracks. Chester describes the methods of fortifying the rear of camp at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He reports of heavy casualties suffered by NY regiment and other MI regiments at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He describes preparation of rations. Chester…

GLC03955.01

4 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners.…

GLC03955.02

5 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

All is quite on the front but troops expect to fight again soon. Chester requests that Asa send him a new diary. He mentions the inferiority of camp medical care and fear of comrade's death. A comrade who had a good chance of recovery in last letter is now facing a chance of survival that is less than one in ten. Chester also mentions theft of rations among Union troops. He has received a pay raise to 18.00 per month, "a little better wages, and every little helps."

GLC03955.03

17 August 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester comments on his disappointment at not receiving frequent correspondence from home. Claims to have been kept very busy, "Uncle Samyuel, or his Generals, kept us so busy making strategical movements trying to get around the left flank of the Southern Confederacy." He gives detailed description of daily life in the construction and disassembly of camp fortifications. He explains that he would like to disclose more information in terms of their location but afraid that the letter may fall into Confederate hands.

GLC03955.04

27 June 1863

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Chester M. Slayton [to unknown recipient on piece of scrap paper] "A hard battle is raging Co. B unharmed." C.M.S.

GLC03955.06

1861-1877

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

[Written on scrap paper with no names or date] "Look out for thieves Roch. has lost four or five bushels of wheat lately others have lost oats & - we keep on the look-out- & somebody will get caught- some of these times Il bet."

GLC03955.07

25 December 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Mary sends holiday wishes. Expresses surprise at the receipt of letter. Gives news of the death of Herman Hunt enlisted in 21st Michigan. Describes funeral of fellow teacher. Reports of good health among Asa's wife, sister, and sister-in-law. Informs Asa of local gossip and news about pupils from the school.

GLC03955.12

15 November 1863

Slayton, Emma, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Emma thanks Asa for sending her a birthday package. She reports that the other brothers have also sent packages. Emma reminisces about times when the family was together and expresses grievance over recent death of their father. She offers to answer any questions about their Father's illness as she was there in the last days of his life while the brothers were at war. Emma finds the division of the farm among descendants to be the brothers responsibility and explains her father's wishes for inheritance. She requests to know the location at which Asa stored the picture of her father in case…

GLC03955.13

August 1862

Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875

Autograph manuscript

Title: to citizens of Grattan Michigan

Slayton thanks the committee for their recognition, but accepts the sword on the behalf of all the men who have enlisted. Slayton recognizes that enslaved people are being used to aide the Confederates and that the continued allowance of slavery is hurting the Union cause. He then urges people to petition the government to the end slavery. He also describes the motivations of married men to fight. He expresses his commitment to the Union cause. Included is an envelope the envelope in which this written copy of the speech was kept with an inscription describing the contents.

GLC03955.15

10/16/1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Cover

GLC02197.032

1/28/1866

Autograph letter

Title: to Cover

GLC02197.033

11/23/1866

Keene, M., fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cover

GLC02197.034

4/15/1867

Autograph letter

Title: to Cover

damaged

GLC02197.035

2/24/1868

Coes, Francis, fl. 1869

Autograph letter

Title: to Cover

GLC02197.036

4/25/1865

Wolfe, Lizze, fl. 1866

Autograph letter

Title: to Anna Zug

GLC02197.037

4/12/1868

Herr, John, fl. 1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Zug

GLC02197.038

2/18/1866

Herr, John, fl. 1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anna Zug

GLC02197.039