17 August 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The men are happy at their camp. A fort is being built "and some force will have to stay here and hold it." The 24th Indiana and the 35th Wisconsin have joined Damuth's regiment; all of the 35th Wisconsin is ill. Damuth says his company is well, since "we can eat evry thing we draw." One of the "little boys of our Company" may be sent home on a sick furlough.

GLC03523.14.66

1 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men have marching orders, possibly to go to Grand Gulph. Damuth may have the opportunity to become a lieutenant. Writes about Lincoln's reelection and the "copperheads and disappointed politicians" who are against him. Damuth writes that although he complains about men in his company, he "should hate to part with them."

GLC03523.14.67

13 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The men are on guard against the Confederates in a camp on the bank of the White River. The Cavalry has captured some Confederate soldiers. Damuth is working as Provost Marshal. He reminisces about coming to Arkansas before with his friend Jessie, "we had never seen many fortifications then."

GLC03523.14.68

25 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Is busy drawing rations for the men. "We drew 70 lbs of good whitefish for our co but we have no potatoes to cook them with." The men are bored in camp and lazy; Damuth says they do not get enough exercise, but have plenty to eat and drink. Of his own position in camp, Damuth writes, "I dont have any hard work to do it is my busness to see that some one els does it." The mail is sent to New Orleans and then up to the men in Arkansas, so that Damuth is impatient with the long wait.

GLC03523.14.69

1 October 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister that he has been taking quinine to keep away "the ague." Thinks that the change of water has made the regiment sick, "when we were here a year a go last winter the water made a great many of the boys sick." The men are building quarters for the winter. In response to a question about McClellan, writes, "I like him will enough but the party that nominated him and the platform that he stands on I despise." Does not want an armistice and believes that it would "give the rebs all we have gained in the last three years." Thinks the war will only end if Lincoln is re-…

GLC03523.14.70

8 October 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes about an election held by the 21st Iowa Regiment. The votes are overwhelmingly in favor of Lincoln, and they are "for fun, or to show the Peace Sneaks, and Copperheads how men of sense vote." The 47th Indiana Regiment has also held a mock election with Lincoln as the winner. Damuth is convinced that if the war does not end with complete defeat of the South, "no soldier could go north and hold up his head."

GLC03523.14.71

1861-1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Curtis

Writes to Curtis. Damuth is reading the paper, which is full of good news for the Union forces. Reminds Curtis to vote. Knows the soldiers will vote for Lincoln, because "you cant Stuff Copperheadism down the Soldiers." Writes about the punishments he gives to men in favor of McClellan. Writes about more mock elections held in the "Guardhouse."

GLC03523.14.72

11 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Two regiments from Damuth's brigade are moving to Devil's Bluff. Discusses the camp they will set up, like the one they built while staying in St. Charles. Does not anticipate much fighting, and thinks the regiment will only "run into a few bushwackers." The election has passed with Lincoln as the winner, but McClellan received eighty-eight votes. Of this, Damuth writes, "I didn't think Mc would get as many as he did but the Damm Irish all went for him a few of the dutch and Americans that always voted the Democratic ticket." Adds that, "if I had voted fer…

GLC03523.14.73

16 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men have arrived at Devil's Bluff and will soon move to Little Rock. The colonel is hunting deer, but "evry one cant get out of the picket line." The mail has brought a death announcement about one of Damuth's close friends who was sent home on sick leave. Writes about military gossip: Sherman "has made a brake for Charleston with the most of his army." Things are looking up for the men following Lincoln's reelection and everyone is in good spirits.

GLC03523.14.74

20 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Describes the early morning arrival at Little Rock. The day before, "one hundred men went out to cut timber to build us good houses and to day four teems have been drawing it up." Damuth thinks the regiment will be there all winter. Compares Little Rock to Madison, Wisconsin. Has run into other Wisconsin men, since seven companies are camped nearby. Finds part of a letter he wrote to his friend Emma published in The Chief, but without his name on it, "she did not expose my ignorance by giving my name."

GLC03523.14.75

27 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister "[o]n board Steamer Fannie Ogden bound for Memphis." The men end up leaving Little Rock on the 24th of November and move to "the Bluffs," where they have boarded a boat for Memphis. On board, they meet up with a soldier from Company D who was on leave. He has returned with many letters and packages. Damuth does not know what will be happening in Memphis and says, "the prospect is as good for us to go to the East to reinforce Sheriden as any." Repeats his belief that the war will end soon, but mentions that his father thinks it will last another four years "because…

GLC03523.14.76

3 December 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men are busy preparing for an inspection, because "they say that the Regt that passes the best inspection will do Provost Guard duty in the city this winter." Damuth has received a pair of suspenders from his family by mail and is glad, reporting that clothing goods are expensive if purchased in camp. Damuth is now receiving twenty-four dollars a month. The night before, Damuth went to the theater to see "the Webb sisters…young but perfect beauties." Going to the theater is a good pastime for soldiers, he argues, because "we see again a little civile life."…

GLC03523.14.77

13 December 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Damuth has visited a friend from home stationed nearby. The friend is married to a girl who cooks for the army. Of the visit, Damuth writes, "that day was the first time I had sat down to a table with a woman since I ate dinner at home the day I left fer the last time I hardly knew how to act or handle my knife and fork." Writes that he has news of Southerners fighting amongst themselves about states rights. Though Southerners are now trying to arm enslaved people, Damuth considers this a problem "when Slavery was declared to be the chief corner Stone of the…

GLC03523.14.78

8 January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp outside of New Orleans. The soldiers often go into the city. Damuth is going to get photographs taken. Some of the men taken prisoner the year before at Red River are now in the city. Of one of them, Damuth writes, "he has suffered more than to die." Many of the men in prison died of starvation and exposure to the elements, but some men "found relation in the Rebel army" and were protected by family members.

GLC03523.14.79

January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The morning paper has brought news of "a peace movement…you cant think how the word peace sounds to us we at once begin to build castles in the air." Writes that Jefferson Davis probably "sees no hopes of ever getting his independance [sic]." It is warm in Louisiana and Damuth writes that he can watch "lots of negro men and women at work on the land…fitting it fer a sugar or cotton crop." Many peddler women come to the army camp with liquor hidden under their clothes and attempt to sell it to the soldiers. Damuth suggests that his family subscribe to the Chicago…

GLC03523.14.80

January 22, 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Responds to family concerns that he might reenlist and promises this is not the case. He will come home and "take care of you as you intended I would when you gave me a deed of the farm." Warns his brother not to reenlist, since he has served a hundred days in Memphis and "seen a dead rebel and now he ought to stay at home and trot his young one on his knee." Writes about friends of the family. Ends the letter with the warning, "Dont let evryone [sic] see this."

GLC03523.14.81

1861-1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Damuth family

Sends a list of the killed, dead, sick, wounded and discharged. Writes about action at an unidentified battle. Letter written some time after "the fight at Champion Hills."

GLC03523.14.82

1861-1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Damuth family

Writes short note to his family with information about directing letters to the Wisconsin Volunteers.

GLC03523.14.83

circa 1862-1864

Envelope

Title: to Dolphus Damuth

Envelope is addressed to "[Mr.] Dolph Damuth." Return address not listed.

GLC03523.14.84

5 July 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Pope. Discusses in great detail the Fourth of July celebration in the camp. "The entire Brigade took a solom oath never to return to there homes until the last vestage of rebelion is wiped out." Describes a party at a female college in Monticello, "...where the ladies had prepared an excellent picnic for us." Comments on her upcoming marriage and his desire to attend the wedding. Writes about his duties as sergeant. Says they have just received marching orders to an unknown destination. Letter has a Union emblem.

GLC03523.31.06

14 July 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from camp outside St. Louis. Describes in great detail his trip down the Mississippi River aboard a government steamer "City of Alton." Mentions being applauded by Union people as they went down the river. Comments they have plenty of ripe fruit. "The little girls bring us plenty of apples and pies if we have any suspicion of them being poison we make them eat some first." States that were about 15 to 20 enslaved people at every home. Remarks that they appear to be people "...who seem to be a very happy set of fellows." Asks her to send a likeness of herself…

GLC03523.31.07

29 June 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother that he has heard from his son Joseph, who is on picket and fatigue duty near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that John Petty, a family friend, is sick and is no longer on duty. Mentions that Petty was a Clerk under General John McClernand and fought in the Battle of Champion Hill. A short note enclosed with letter, written 30 June, states: "our advices from Penn yesterday are startling. it appears the Rebels have it pretty much their own way and are occupying Gettysburg and Carlisle and Little York. It is a burning shame the way the Army of the Potomac have managed things…

GLC03523.10.078

17 August 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grier Maitland

Writes to his brother from Camp Bear Creek. Tells him, "I am now seated in the Capt's Tent with no one to disturb me, and as I sit here my mind wanders back to the old Homestead, in my imagination I see you all as you ply your Evening Care, Mother busied washing dishes, &c Pap & your self eagerly reading the Contents of the 'Daily'... I can't help getting the 'Blues' a little, but then I think my Country needs my service... I believe it is my duty and I must not complain." Asks if Grier attended the "Grand Union Rally" at Urbana. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.10.092

24 July 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Tremont outside St. Louis. Mentions cooking for the soldiers when he has nothing else to do even though there are five cooks for each company. Says they just received their uniforms and bayonets. Explains in great detail several expeditions and marches. Remarks the rebels were hiding in swamps and fleeing. Comments the local women visit their camp and many had never seen the "stars and stripes." States the local women are very pretty, but doesn't know if "...it goes more than skin deep or not." Discusses the friendliness of the "darkies" and their…

GLC03523.31.08

22 August 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Tremont outside St. Louis. Thanks her for the magazine she sent him. Reports Confederate General Gideon J. Pillow has a strong army in the state. Says St. Louis is under martial law and a very dangerous place. Informs they are expecting an attack at any time. Letter is faded and the bottom portion of all four pages is missing.

GLC03523.31.09