4 March 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Brother

Sends news home. Comments on food including having a "porter house steak" for "Carnivale," weather conditions, and his schedule. Discusses supplies and surgeons for Wisconsin Regiments, with autograph letter signed on verso from Alida McParlin.

GLC02649.11

17 March 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. McParlin

Discusses the need for medical supplies, commenting that "The sickness at Camp Douglas is on the decline - but the prisoners of war at Camp Butler near Springfield are reported as having much sickness among them." Comments on his impression of Chicago and the traffic on the river running through the city. Notes his plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Discusses financial matters including Congressional plans to cut his salary. Notes "Treasury notes is the best currency here except of course gold & silver. Bank notes are brought from Connecticut, N.Y., Massachusetts, Vermont & New…

GLC02649.13

27 November 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida Roca McParlin

McParlin sends news of himself and asks for more letters from his wife. Writes about life and work at the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. Comments on religion, friends, and food. Has been so cold that he has been using his "buffalo robe." Troops and officers received apples from the "patriotic merchants" of New York and turkey as well for Thanksgiving. There is text loss where the year was written and elsewhere along the edges of the paper.

GLC02649.39

22 December 1860

Gibson, William P., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister Sarah Gibson Humphreys]

Apologizes for not being able to return home for the holidays. Writes that his familiy's financial circumstances prevent them from travelling. In favor of secession he writes, "political excitement was never so high--every body is rampant in favor of disunion. We had an election on this question one day before yesterday [December 20th] and it is predicted by the knowing ones that the State will go 30,000 votes majority for the secession ticket. I say hurrah for the biggest party."

GLC04501.092

December 11, 1857

Maugrita, fl. 1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Esthur Monk

Writes to Cripps' mother in Greenwich, Connecticut, in the care of Mr. Benedict. Relays a message for Monk to send curtains to a family friend. Mentions having received a letter from Tousey, an acquaintance, who promises to return from Mexico soon, but she doubts it. Wonders about their trip to "the Metropolis." Discusses sending a care package and hopes it will arrive before Christmas. Written on scallop-edged stationery. Envelope hand-postmarked 14, December, Rippon, Virginia. Includes one three-cent stamp depicting George Washington. Date inferred from Mrs. Monk's trip to Greenwich.

GLC03587.33

February 26, 1815

Smead, Benjamin, 1775-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Moody Bedel

Smead writes to Bedel about the jubilation surrounding the news of peace in the War of 1812, the celebration of George Washington's birthday, and the dissolution of the consolidated 11th and 22nd regiments. He heaps praise on several officers. Indicates that "the interests of the regiment require your influence and presence." Describes the regiments collective dream of a glory-filled homecoming. A note on page 2 indicates that they are in need of instruments and medicine for forty sick men.

GLC01450.721.08

1 January to 4 January 1849

Sarah, fl. 1849-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Everett

Writes to her friend in Middleborough, Massachusetts, about her improving health, the new year, and wishing he were at home with her. Wishes she had psychic ability so she would always know what he was doing. Scolds him for his lack of correspondence and wonders if a certain woman has been occupying his time. Assures him that she will not be going sleigh riding with Mr. G any time soon. Discusses James and Lori (possibly a brother and sister-in-law) and his plans to mine gold in California. Wonders if Everett will get "gold fever" and move even further away for an even longer period of…

GLC06573.01

28 December 1843

Autograph letter

Title: to Elizabeth Blair Lee

An acquaintance of Lee's (possibly a family member) thanks Lee for a recently received Christmas card and describes a family holiday celebration in detail. Updates Lee on the affairs of family members.

GLC03209.27.09

1850

G., Mattie, fl. 1815-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily

Describes toys recently received for Christmas. The author is a cousin of the recipient. Docketed "Blair Lee, Esq.," indicating that the author and recipient were related to Francis Preston Blair Lee, a Senator, lawyer, and social reformer from Maryland.

GLC03209.27.11

4 July 1810

Everett, David, 1770-1813

Newspaper

Title: Boston patriot. [Vol. 3, no. 36 (July 4, 1810)]

Contains a section of the celebration of the Fourth of July which quotes a letter from John Adams. Prints correspondence from President John Adams dated 25 August 1781 from Amsterdam. A letter from the Massachusetts governor to the state legislature in regard to apprising the federal secretary of state of Massachusetts laws. Also contains news from England. With many advertisements.

GLC08830.02

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

January 30, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all the soldiers they will be home by Christmas. Writes that "the South is most ruined now and will be intirely [sic] if this goes on an other year." Thinks that the Southerners are eager for the war to end. Writes that Grant has gone to Vicksburg and predicts that they will not have to go after all, for which he is grateful - "I am not so ambitious…

GLC03523.14.11

January 22, 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Lyon. Discusses his holiday party and how he "...devoured his share of all the delicate dishes from the North." Complains of the hard crackers used as bread on marches. Informs there are two hundred confederate prisoners in camp that do much of the work. Written in Camp Lyon .

GLC03523.31.01

14 December 1862

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Tells his brother that he is home, sitting by the fire with their father, reading the Bible. Informs him that he has recently attended a Baptist Church. Asks that he come home for Christmas "if he can."

GLC03523.10.054

11 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Written on board the steamer Charles Bowen. The regiment is heading toward Youngs Point, "oposit Vicksburgh." It is Damuth's birthday, he is twenty-four years old. Has been recommended by his colonel and General McGinnis for possible organizer of a "negro Regt." The pay is better, an obvious incentive for Damuth. He has just been paid $20 and sends half of it home.

GLC03523.14.21

5 July 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes about the surrender of Vicksburg the day before: "you could see white flags on all of thear works it was the happyest 4th of July I ever saw." Is going on an expedition to Black River. Describes the defeated Rebels scavenging for food. The Union troops give them "all we can spare."

GLC03523.14.32

2 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about how busy life is at camp. Damuth is in charge of pay roll and "mad out four Muster & pay Rolls this week besides making out other papers." One of the captains in Company C has been promoted to major, much to the chagrin of many of his fellow soldiers. In response to news from home, writes that "I hope Pa wont fret him Self to death" over worries about provisions. Wishes he could be home to celebrate the 4th of July with his family. Says that in camp they will march and "hear a little talking they wont have the one thing needful to make such a day pass off…

GLC03523.14.61

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

5 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Comments on a 4 July celebration at Urbana, Ohio: "the Orator of the day was Hon. West of Belfontaine. I heard part of the Oration, when a shower of rain coming up dispersed the assemblage for awhile. he was amplifying on the negro and beginning to get into the merits of the sable race. I did not go back to hear the remainder reason why did not think it would pay." Notes that his son, Joseph, stationed near Vicksburg, recently moved to Black River. From the papers, learned that General Peter [Osterhaus] had been attacked by Confederate General Joseph Johnston's troops. Also read a report that…

GLC03523.10.079

21 December 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Discusses his sister's trip to Washington, which is possibly to visit a suitor named Willie, noting that he himself may not be granted a pass to come up and see her. Details that they have been sleeping in Sibley tents, which are very good quarters. Mentions that "Isaiah want you to come by all means."

GLC03523.08.88

21 December 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Communicates to his sister that he is disappointed that she and their mother did not come to Washington, and that Isaiah, possibly his sister's suitor, and his family were upset as well. Describes his Christmas dinner, detailing that they had turkey and mince pie. Informs her that he was sent out yesterday with the Army of the Potomac with many prisoners. Reports that M.K., possibly a family friend or a romantic interest of his, sends her love.

GLC03523.08.89

February 25, 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louisa B. Terry

Writes to his sister "Lou," telling her that "Washington's Birthday passed off just the same as any other day." Reports that there are a couple of men who decided to re-enlist, "but I do not feel inclined to follow in their footsteps..."

GLC03523.08.93

5 December 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Writes to his brother, "you must read this letter yourself. And dont let none of the girls read it to you. You say your are in the first division And if that the case you can read this letter for it is big enough for a blind man to read." Instructs him not to spend all his money before Christmas and not to "wear your Boots out." Remarks that he doesn't think his regiment will ever see the city of Washington and speculates that they will stay at Camp Pierpont in Fairfax, Virginia all winter. Written on stationery with an image of the United States Capital at the top.

GLC03523.08.97

25 July 1863

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Vicksburg. Discusses in detail the fall of Vicksburg and the long siege. Claims "...70,000 men had received the death blow and fell into the hands of the invincible troops of U. S. Grant..." Reports the stars and stripes now fly from the spire of the court house. Says he hopes the war will be over and he will be home by the next Fourth of July. Reports many citizens and soldiers are sick. Mentions an abundance of peaches, figs and melons.

GLC03523.31.23

25 June 1908

Woodward, E.F., fl. 1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Commander Woodward to an unknown general. Says he has been away and just received his invite. Says he tried to get quarters at the hotel but failed. Says he has "made up my mind that as Gettysburgh was about the only battle that the Army did not fall back on the Navy I would let them celebrate without the Navy, so I, think I will still let them have all the credit." The document is dated "June 25/8," which was assumed to be 1908 from adjacent documents in the file.

GLC03479.68