18 April 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Camp Smith to his wife. Posits that he is missing some letters, expects "back mail" to arrive soon. Expresses concern again that his wife should receive the money he sent. Mentions an eye operation his wife is recovering from. Complains his bad officers who will not let him go on furlough, but rather make him stay to guard the camp. Laments the shame of soldiers, talking of an unburied boy at Cumberland who has no one to demand his burial.

GLC02176.15

25 April 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Camp Smith to his wife. Describes spells of depression after sinning. Continues speaking of trust in God. Mentions receiving some old letters. Says the Colonel is determined to keep them there on duty, even if they have to ride mules. Tells of Company G which was captured by guerillas after sleeping without sufficient guard in a barn. Finally, describes failing at quitting tobacco: "remember I said I was a going to to quit using tobacco and send you the price it was costing me but you see I tried it a while but no go I believe I would have went Crazy or got sick or done both so I…

GLC02176.16

27 May 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Pulaski, Tennessee to his wife. Describes the situation of refugees (including African Americans) in the camp: "...and the darkies are here by thousands, by field fulls like cattle, they call these darky Camps corrals. The same that we call the lots where the broken down horses is put to be recruted." Talks of former bad health and the kindness of his officers who gave him easier duties. Mentions the tightness of his money situation. Expresses hope of victory and returning home soon: "Well as soon as you hear that Richmond and Atlanta is ours you may put on the tea kettle I will…

GLC02176.17

26 July 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from "Moore's ville," Alabama to his wife. Describes recovering from illness, and the weakness and the light duty that he can do as a result. Describes in some detail the news of General Lovell Rousseau's success in tearing up the area. Hopes that the ninth will return without a loss and looks forward to seeing his friend Smith again. Expresses concern for his lonely father at home, and wishes to see him again. Mentions the wife of a friend who is working at the tobacco factory, making a dollar an hour. Asks for more stamps, as he has run out.

GLC02176.18

21 August 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Talks of cut rations, but says they function better on half rations. Describes somewhat dangerous duty accompanying the engineer, and his duty. Also describes the unreliable news he gets, even when a mile from the action, but says there is a "constant cannonading and skirmishing night and day." Expresses conern that William Tecumseh Sherman is at a standstill in his efforts to destroy Georgia.

GLC02176.19

17 September 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Camp Smith near Nashville, Tennessee to his wife. Mentions being in the hospital, some of his comrades are in pursuit of General Joseph Wheeler's cavalry. Discusses tobacco he uses in camp. His regiment will go to Louisville, Kentucky to get horses and then proceed to the front (most likely with Sherman in Atlanta). Includes small illustrations of a pointing hand and a heart pierced with an arrow.

GLC02176.20

14 October 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Camp Webster to his wife. Describes the movements of his regiment (9th Ohio Cavalry) in pursuit of General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his men. While still ill, hopes to be reunited with his regiment, as "It would be the next thing to getting home to get to the company with the boys that I have soldiered so long with." Mentions the attempts by one of his comrades to obtain a furlough because of illness. Concludes with, "Hurrrah for Lincoln and Jonson! and the union forever, is the sentiment of your soldier boy..."

GLC02176.21

October 27, 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood and Lydia Jane Wood

Written from Chattanooga, Tennessee to his wife and daughter. Talks of reuniting with a friend from home named Dempsy. Speculates his regiment will move on to Atlanta. Is too ill to ride, so in free time will have another likeness taken with money obtaining by selling his watch. Says some men took a tour up Lookout Mountain, which presents "a perfect scenery." Discusses the popular conception concerning the 1864 election, saying "I dont think like some of our McCllelan men do that" believe the Confederates "will fight us four year longer if Old Abe is reelected."

GLC02176.22

31 October 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Chattanooga, Tennessee to his wife. Is unsure where he will be sent next. Talks of an acquaintance who went home on furlough for being very ill. Compares weather at home to Tennessee. Compares the winter--without snow--to seasons at home in Ohio, explaining the warm days and cold nights is what gives the men "the shakes."

GLC02176.23

December 2, 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Savannah, Georgia to his wife. Describes the march through Georgia from Atlanta to Savannah, after receiving orders from General Judson Kilpatrick, and being harassed by guerrilla fighters. Describes the destruction in good detail: "All the main wealth of the country was consumed by fire as we marched along the country was filled with smoke." Joins with General Judson Kilpatrick's division, who had a fight with Joseph Wheeler's cavalry, and they are then pursued by Wheeler's men. Moves on to Macon and Waynesboro. Describes being driven from camp by shelling as "the most trying…

GLC02176.24

January 17, 1865

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Savannah, Georgia to his wife. Predicts they are "preparing for another grand march the Lord only knows what the result will be, we hope the success will crown our effort." Mentions that the rest of his regiment that had been left behind during the march from Atlanta to Georgia because of they lacked equipment rejoined the regiment by way of New York. Says the general opinion is that they will next proceed to South Carolina.

GLC02176.25

8 April 1865

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Mt. Olive, North Carolina to his wife. Describes again the differences in climate between Ohio and North Carolina. Comments on the state of the Confederate cause, saying "Old Lee has got out of Richmond and a going round like a roaring lion seeking how he may save his old treacherous neck," and "I am in good heart about the war ending if Lee did get out forty men will desert him, and another thing they can not feed a concentrated army two weeks any where...They have no artillery of any account so if they come facing Old Bill with Grant in their rear they will soon get their feet…

GLC02176.26

12 June 1865

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Concord, North Carolina to his wife. Describes the various decorations the men had set up to beautify their camp, as well as the local people's fascination with the decorations and men Begins to make plans for the future, asking his wife to view "Cunningham's lot," as he is thinking of buying it when he returns. Contains a simple illustration of the fences constructed by the men in the camp.

GLC02176.27

21 November 1861

Bingham, George F., fl. 1861-1862

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

Sending home part of his wages for her to keep for him. Asks for newspapers including Lesley's, Harpers Weekly and The True Flag. On patriotic stationery with the title "The Shield." Features the Union shield between the dates 1776 and 1861.

GLC03607.01

3 January 1862

Bingham, George F., fl. 1861-1862

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

Comments, "The Rebels Show themselves once in a While along the banks of the River but they all leave as soon as We give them a shot they Will not fight unless they have the advantage and then they fight like Bull Dogs and I whish that they were all in the Oven of the Eavel [evil] One and a good Fire under the Same." On patriotic stationery with the title "Onward." Featuring a young woman holding a flag and pointing forward. The woman wears a "flag" dress, has long flowing hair and is barefooted. The dates 1776 and 1861 appear on either side of the woman. Date inferred from content.

GLC03607.02

17 November 1862

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

He wrote a letter to George. Also discusses the weather. He tells her to direct her letters to "H. B. Bingham 2nd Co. Heavy Artillary [sic]. Capt. Niebuhr. Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. "

GLC03607.04

7 December 1862

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

He arrived in camp two weeks ago. The regiment received their uniforms and expect to be issued their weapons with in the week. They drill four hours a day and spend the rest of their time playing cards or laying in their quarters. Written at Fort Warren.

GLC03607.05

22 December 1862

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

He received the box she sent. Mentions the cold weather and that he has not heard from their brother George for a while. He is not worried though because George's name has not appeared on the list of killed. On patriotic stationery and with a regimental envelope.

GLC03607.06

1 January 1863

Bingham, H.B., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Lucretia Bingham

Signed Bart, but probably H. B. due to location. He discusses George's letter about the Battle of Fredericksburg. Place from post mark on envelope.

GLC03607.07

circa December 1862

Bush, George, fl. 1862

Map

Title: [Map of Fredericksburg]

A fairly complete and accurate map of the Union position at Fredericksburg. Shows federal positions, pontoon bridges, geographic features, roads and houses used as hospitals. The position held by Gibbon's Division is slightly exaggerated.

GLC03607.08

February 14, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs his wife that he has arrived at his position in Richmond without many inconveniences, except a headache. He mentions that he has yet to see Taylor but expects to do so early the next morning. He goes on to explain how he misses home and how greatly he loathes these "troublesome and disagreeable separations" from his wife. He writes that there is no news from abroad and that he has gotten a rattle for the baby.

GLC06582.02

February 15, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions that he has been introduced to Colonel Deas. He writes that the press is "so great" because of re-enlistments in the Army. Very much like "a boy at boarding school for the first time," he admits to being very lonely. He hopes that she is "rapidly improving" and that she is well before he visits. He asks her to telegraph him if she gets worse.

GLC06582.03

19 February 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He mentions that he was too tired the previous night and too busy the next morning (as at nine o'clock he had to report for duty) to be able to write her a letter. However he later writes that he has received her letter and that it serves as evidence of the "pure and noble love" which he considers "cherishable" and is proud to possess. He is glad to hear of her improving health and that he hopes her health will be entirely restored. He mentions buying a rattle for the baby. Additionally, he writes that he has begun to wear spectacles and that he believes the reason for this may be that…

GLC06582.05

February 23, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that he has received her letter. He describes how he worked that day until twelve o'clock when an inauguration took place and the public office closed. He expects to be able to go home next Friday where he will "attend to some matters of business" that were delayed due to his abrupt departure. He describes how disheartening it is to see "so many men in the city" while "the Yankees are journeying triumphantly through our Territory". He sends regrets at not being able to attend a female friend's wedding.

GLC06582.06

February 25, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Written in the form of a poem. Discusses how thinking of his wife puts him in "good heart," and compares his heart to that of Newton, Milton or Shakespeare. He says that all must fight for country and cause, or submit to tyranny. He writes that he is very sleepy. He points out that the recent rainfalls are signaling "the birth of spring." Furthermore, he writes that flannel can be bought at high prices in stores on Main and Broad. He reminds her that although the price for flannel is high that he would be more than happy to provide it for her if she only asks. He sends his "love to all." He…

GLC06582.07