January 31, 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Thanks his mother for a box from home, which he received on his birthday. Notes that Mr. Tiffany and a judge from Chicopee, Massachusetts were present for the opening of the box. The package contained oysters, cookies, potatoes "a la Saratoga," pickles, butter, olives, ginger, bread, cherries, gloves, medical supplies, and socks. Items were sent from his family members, and other persons from their community (Springfield, Massachusetts).

GLC02163.10

9 December 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Comments on his location, noting that although he ordered his men to establish comfortable quarters, he does not think they will spend the winter there (possibly at Brandy Station). Notes that he has not received a letter from his wife, Annie, for one week. Mentions mail received from Carrie and Charlie (possibly his sisters Caroline and Charlotte Edwards). Notes that he may get a short leave before Christmas, and hopes to surprise his wife. Mentions his brother William, and other family members.

GLC02163.14

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Christmas Dinner

Marked "Plate 9." A lonely image of the outer picket line. An off-duty soldier next to a make shift shelter of pine boughs and fence rails cooks a meager meal and is tries to keep his hands warm. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.8 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents.

GLC02199.09

5 January 1863

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Notes that he was recently on picket duty on the Rappahannock River, one hundred yards from enemy pickets: "they seemed greatly to enjoy the reading of Jeff Davises' congratulatory order on their victory of Fredericksburgh in so loud a tone that we could easily hear it... but not a gun was fired by either side." Spent New Year's day on picket duty. Declares, "The Government ought to send half this army West and McClellan with it immediately. The Army is in good spirits yet the belief is growing general that…

GLC02163.05

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A Christmas dinner

Marked "Plate 9." A lonely image of the outer picket line. An off-duty soldier next to a make shift shelter of pine boughs and fence rails cooks a meager meal and is tries to keep his hands warm. Actual size of the image without the margins is 27.8 x 40.3 cm. Outline from matting is faintly visible. Titles taken from the table of contents from GLC02199. Paper is brittle and edges damaged.

GLC08653.07

26 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions the arrival of General J. G. Foster and his eminent inspection of the camp. Expects that he will be invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Colonel and the Major as they have shared their plans to dine on a full Thanksgiving dinner that is being mailed to them by the Major's brother.

GLC03603.039

27 March 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Criticizes McClellan and gives his opinion on the Union military strategy employed in the war. Writes of having a new horse which came to him with musket ball wounds. Mentions that it is his birthday and he had not realized it until dating the letter. Written from "Carolina City," most likely in North Carolina.

GLC03603.092

5 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of leaving Newbern by train and waiting to board a steam ship that would take the troops to an unknown destination. Before the steam ship can depart, word comes from General Burnside of the capture of Richmond and negates the need for the intended mission. The regiment is ordered back to Morehead City and Coit believes the next step is to head for James River. Mentions a quiet Fourth of July passed by staying in an abandoned barn with the regiment.

GLC03603.119

January 17, 1864

Ford, Charles, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Informs Ogden he has been sick for about a week with rheumatism. Reminisces fondly about the Christmas celebration at the Broad and Cherry Hospital. Says the weather has been severe and cold, the duty very hard at the headquarters for the volunteers, and that he is on duty every other day. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.031

February 22, 1865

Keyes, John H., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that the soldiers are celebrating Washington's Birthday with continual cannon fire. Says he just received news that Charleston, South Carolina is "in the possession of our [Union] forces." Sherman is marching for North Carolina and several of the Rebels are "deserting very fast." Tells Ogden that he saw William Boles, a soldier with whom he stood guard as a member of the Oneida Cavalry, at General Ulysses Grant's Headquarters. Thanks Mrs. Ogden and Mrs. Perot and gives his regards to "all enquiring." Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.059

December 26, 1861

Mortimer, Caleb C.E., 1835-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes about what the regiments did to celebrate Christmas, including a burlesque parade and a band. Describes building winter quarters and a guard house. Written from Camp Follett. Stationary embossed "Congress A.P. Co."

GLC01898.12

15 November 1863

Bartlett, George O., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Andrews

He quickly writes that he is in acceptable health and that enclosed with the letter is a check for $40. Noticing the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, he ends the letter lamenting that he "should like to be with you all on Thanksgiving but I must eate my Pork and hard Bread as usual." Marked "Camp Battery B." Note in blue ink on verso, "Mr. [Anras] D. Smith 3d State Commissioner Providence, RI."

GLC02158.21

December 25, 1861

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written at Camp Pierpont to his wife. Complains that his wife does not write to him enough. Notes that the doctor gave his company a dose of medicine after they stood picket in the rain. Discusses the Christmas holiday in camp: a dress parade took place, the brass band played, and the soldiers had only bread and coffee to eat.

GLC02155.025

2 December 1864

Blackman, Francis G., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother that he spent Thanksgiving in Gettersburg [Gettysburg?]. They are now four miles from Harper's Ferry.

GLC02159.17

February 8, 1865

Pratt, Oliver D., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Albert S. Pratt

Letter written from Camp, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. "Saturday is my birth day 27 years old."

GLC01003.03.08

27 March 1910

Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Johnston

He tells him how he spent his Easter. Then goes on to talk about New Hampshire and gives some history of the town Londonderry.

GLC02167.59

3 May 1876

Cooper, Anthony A., fl. 1876-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ashley O'Rorke

The Earl of Shaftesbury Anthony Cooper writes to his godson, Ashley O'Rorke, thanking him for a birthday present and teaches him the motto "None but Christ."

GLC05508.074.02

January 19, 1939

Hill, Grace L., 1865-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rose Wadsworth

Hill thanks Wadsworth for a Christmas card and New Year wishes, and is glad the stories helped.

GLC05508.127.02

1861-1865

Hill, Grace L., 1865-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Hill thanks her correspondent for the words of appreciation and for the high praise of saying her message helped. She wishes her correspondent a Merry Christmas. Includes a biographical advertising card (GLC05508.127.04).

GLC05508.127.03

circa 1971-1972

Joy, Leatrice, 1894-1985

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Joy writes a Christmas card: "God is ever near; if he isn't--who moved?"

GLC05508.152.03

circa 1971-1972

Joy, Leatrice, 1894-1985

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Joy writes a Christmas card and quotes the "Bethlehem Echo." She thanks her correspondent for the shells and quotes a recent, Christian lecture she heard. The card has a 1641 quote by Johann Rist on it.

GLC05508.152.04

circa 1971-1972

Joy, Leatrice, 1894-1985

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alan Brock

Joy writes a Christmas card to Brock and thanks him for all his notes; she promises to keep up with news from her end.

GLC05508.152.07

February 4, 1988

DeLuise, Dom, 1933-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Atlee Kohl

Response to Kohl's solicitation letter. DeLuise writes of the things that strengthen his belief in God: his children growing, his mother baking Easter bread, his wife at work and play, rain on the garden, and warming sunshine. He emphasizes the importance of staying in touch with our spirituality and remembering the love that is God is within all of us. He asks Kohl's donation to go to the Pearl S. Buck Foundation

GLC05508.284.01

29 December 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Describes a Christmas dinner party he gave, mostly for men from the Medical Corps. Two or three balls were given, but Moore chose not to attend because he considers Mormon women dumb and unattractive. Discusses the Mormon block to holding court for the trial of a man who murdered a deaf and dumb boy. Mentions a message issued by President James Buchanan and the speed with which it crossed the Rocky Mountains, and comments that it is "unnecessarily filled with Kansas." Written at Camp Floyd

GLC04194.11

2 January 1861

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that New Year's Day passed enjoyably in the camp, where the "New York custom of calling on all your friends" was maintained. Although they "hear a good deal about secession, etc., it doesn't seem to oppress or weigh heavily on the spirits of the people in our camp." The camp continues to get news from the east, although the distance delays it seven to eight days. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.37