20 July1862

Smith, Ann, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by Ann Smith to her brother Asa Smith in the Union Army. Says she is glad he is doing well. Says "I try & try to imagine how you look but don't succeed very well - If I could only see you for a little while." Goes on to say that "I tell Mother I'm prouder than ever of you." Says Lieutenant H.L. Potter of the 20th regiment has been back home now for a week because of a wound in his leg. Says "he was in the same hospital with you a week or more - he wishes he had seen you." Says that their brother William Wallace Smith was lucky to avoid injury. Is sending him a copy of a newspaper…

GLC03742.08

20 July 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Resting and settling down after the marches. On politics: "Your Copperheads up ther[e] I see have been kicking up quite a rumpus, but they will get sick of it, if they are not already. Didnt know one spell but what they would spite 'Massa Greely's' establishment entirely so that you would loose the chance of getting your favorite papers to read. Hip, hip, Hurrah! bulley!" Received pictures; worries about Leon's thin appearance and praises Georgiana's growing-up. Mentions Lucy. Talks about terms of the draft.

GLC04558.106

5 August 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

The discovery that rebels had mined some of the Union forts discouraged Burnside's plan to blow up additional rebel forts. Requests that his wife not publish his letters. "Maybe you wouldn't like to think that I had killed any body but I do know that I have hurt some of them."

GLC04558.152

May 18, 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that Quartermaster Merriam has given Coit his tent to make him more comfortable. They are camped 3-4 miles outside Manchester. Though he is in camp, he is considered sick and not on duty. He writes that he is putting off decisions about his future to see what pans out. He encloses a Richmond Times.

GLC03603.341

February 4, 1862

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes to his sister and says that he is enclosing 50 dollars in treasury notes. Would have sent more but did not anticipate being at the Portsmouth Navy Yard for so long. Says he has an allotment of 10 dollars a month for 2 years beginning on 31 March being saved at the Navy Agent's office in Boston. The allotment is payable to their father. Wants their father to get Uncle Prescott to collect it. Thanks his mother for the "Puff, Pillow, &c" but that they would not be of use to him. Will sail today or tomorrow and their first destination will be Cadiz, Spain. Tells her to watch the…

GLC02828.01

8 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he was about to turn in his application for muster but was persuaded by Major Pratt to wait a few days. He writes of the possibility that the regiment may soon be mustered out of service. He writes that he hardly knows any of the other officers as everyone he knew before he was wounded has left. He requests a particular copy of the Navy Journal. He writes that Sherman's Army is beginning to arrive at the camp.

GLC03603.340

26 August 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Signed "your affectionate Husband" and addressed to "Mrs. A.E. Tillotson." Joking to his wife at how quickly haying was done on the farm: "I suppose that that fifth hand with petticoats on is what drove business, dont you think so?" Diarrhea problems, denying reports of McClellan being surrounded, newspaper subscription. "The firing I spoke of in my last was between Pope's[,] Siegel's and Reno's forces and Stonewall Jackson's who is trying to cross the Rapidan river.... [...] There is a great excitement among the inhabitants of Fredericksburg on account of their expecting Jackson to…

GLC04558.040

6 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Writes that most of the normal camp activities have been suspended because of bad weather and that he is working on supply and logistic reports. Says the he also passes the time whittling, reading the "Atlantic," and playing chess. Requests the weekly edition of the New York Times and says he likes its coverage of the war best. Responds to news from home and says he hopes that "Wm. A. B." has won the recent election.

GLC03603.266

27 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to news from his family about their new living situation. Writes about the Chaplain's insistence that the officers set good examples. Mentions his pledge not to indulge in alcoholic beverages and of his new pledge to give up tobacco. Requests books and thanks his family for the newspapers they have sent him. Also describes the bothersome habits of Alfred Goddard.

GLC03603.260

24 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that, after 48 hours "at the front" they have been relieved. He writes about taking over a "pit" that contained fancy furniture that had been stolen. Describes battle with the rebel soldiers and reacts to news from home. Says that he does not sleep very much. Also writes about reading the Spectator and the Atlantic and about food prices.

GLC03603.294

12 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests a valise to be sent from home. Says a sutler, who is supplied by Smith and Co. in Norwich, has joined the troops. Notes that Captain Henry C. Hall was killed when he "exposed himself needlessly." Mentions two books or magazines "Atlantic" and "The River."

GLC03603.299

July 28, 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in response to a letter from his family, outraged that they have not received all the letters he has written. Gives more instructions on the kind of boots he wants. Notes that he has been enjoying canned fruit and milk. Says that he receives extra goodies when he is commanding the regiment. Reiterates his intentions to leave the army after his three year commitment and mentions that all of the officers who he considers descent will be leaving in the fall if they have not already been killed or wounded. Writes about the relief of General Smith. Believes it is because of tension between…

GLC03603.305

1 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reflects on the last year saying, "How little we seem to have accomplished during the last twelve months." Expresses his thankfulness for God keeping him safe and healthy. Also says that his regiment has been almost constantly on the "front" for the entire length of the year. Writes of enjoying reading the Washington Chronicle because it "shows the bright side of everything."

GLC03603.178

17 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes that he is located "3 miles below Suffolk, on the opposite side of the Nansemond River from the Rebs." Writes of a confusion which resulted in Lieutenant Foss being discharged for not reporting on time and that he will miss Sam (Foss) who he describes as an affectionate soldier who was just as against drinking as Coit was. Remarks about his anger that the 8th Regiment does not get due credit in newspaper stories about the battles. Written near Suffolk, Virginia.

GLC03603.224

9 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in anticipation of his brother's arrival. Hopes that they will have another large review while his brother is present. He writes that he really enjoyed an article that his mother has sent to him: "How a free people conduct a long war" by Charles J. Stills. He closes the letter with a note about seeing his brother on the dock, grinning as he comes to pick him up.

GLC03603.204

26 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they marched to Fort Dix. Describes General Corcoran and 6-8,000 troops going on a recognizance mission and retreating when they saw a rebel battery with a few hundred troops manning it. Criticizes other recent military moves and complains about the newspapers giving all the credit to the New York regiments. Requests that a vest be made for him and that his family send a new strap for his field glass.

GLC03603.227

24 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Says that he has hired a new servant named Bill. The Chaplin gave the soldiers a supply of new books and newspapers. Requests that his mother take the money he has sent and buy some letter paper to write him rather than the "old scraps" she has been using. Notes that he waits until he is alone in his tent to open his letters because of the poor quality of the paper. Requests news from home on the marriages of Mrs. Bull and Mrs. Dyer. Sends his regards to his extended family and friends and requests a green checkered shirt. Responds to news that a doctor from Connecticut is planning on…

GLC03603.231

February 21, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

24 August 1863

McSherry, Eliza, 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Henry F. McSherry

Written by Eliza to her brother Henry. Says she received a letter from Anna and that she does not know where to direct letters to him. Says she will tell Anna where to write. Claims that Kate said that he would probably be in Baltimore last week to go up to Martinsburg and that she thought of accompanying him. Suspects he will not get off until after his examination though, which the newspapers say is next week. Says William (their brother who was 16) has gone to Chambersburg to see about the draft even though he is not in this one. Wonders if "[Robert E.] Lee may come over to Maryland. I am…

GLC03523.21.24

12 November 1860

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. S. Abott

Agrees to lecture at New Rochelle next Wednesday. Two possible topics are "Western America" and "Great Men."

GLC05603.01.07

7 January 1863

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to O. D. Cose

Writes about a book and possibly getting an agent for it. Mentions something about promoting the book in Atlanta which will soon be a great city. States "We must be patient, for the times are hard." Comments that General Hancock [Winfield Scott?] is a good soldier but a bad politician.

GLC05603.01.08

February 5, 1870

Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund C. Stedman

Discusses someone not being paid. Largely illegible. On stationary from the Union League Club, New York. Recipient is likely Edmund Clarence Stedman, a poet and journalist who worked with Greeley at the Tribune.

GLC05603.01.09

17 June 1894

Russell, William Howard, 1820-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

"Bull Run" Russell makes appointment to meet recipient at the Carlton Club. On stationary of the Marlborough Club, Pall Mall S.W.

GLC05603.01.24

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

December 1860

Jones, William E., 1824-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to newspaper editor

Letter to newspaper editor, intended for publication, calling to prepare for coming Civil War: "With the old and the young, rifle practice should be the order of the day for we may have to meet the enemy abroad and at home.…the devil in the shape of an abolitionist might well be defied."

GLC09285