15 July 1863

Coates, Benjamin F., 1827-1899

Telegram signed

Title: to James L. Botsford

"A man calling himself C Clark came into our lines this evening representing himself as a conscript rebel deserter but papers found on his person identify him as a Lieutenant of the 8th Va Cavalry. I believe him to be a spy of the most dangerous character & shall hold him as such. All quiet in our front the Lewsiburg road well blockaded"

GLC02414.350

14 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "kicking about." Has not had much to do. Joseph has gone with some men along the railroad to guard some men, but he will be back tonight. Is in the tent with Guernsey. The rest of the companies in the regiment are back in Washington, but they should be arriving here "today or tomorrow." She should be happy that he was not drafted. Draftees and substitutes are sent to the front immediately by the thousands. "They have got Petersburg surrounded and next week they say they will take Richmond and Petersburg both. There [are] some ironclads - 25 - going up to Richmond." Still has yet to…

GLC09273.05

9 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "enjoying good healthy and laying in camp." Not much to do. Wishes he could see her and the rest of his family. Thirty miles from Petersburg. Draftees and substitutes get sent to the front line immediately. Has been "some time" since he heard from her. Wants to know if she has received the money he sent her. Has been cooling down significantly in the area. "It is Sunday, but I can't see [any] difference; it is all the same here." Wants to know if she has dug the potatoes yet. Most of the soldiers in the regiment are from Elmira. There are lots of gunboats on the James River across…

GLC09273.04

December 18, 1864

Cook, George B., fl. 1845-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

This letter is printed on the second half of the attendance sheet titled "Consolidated Morning Report." He is replying to his sister's letter from the 11th. He is glad to hear that his cousin Frank got home alright. He hopes they enjoy Christmas at home; wishes he could be there. He hopes he will be home for next year's Christmas, but "it is so far off it is all most out of sight." It has been over three months since he was drafted. "Everybody [says] there will be [peace] before spring." Peace "would be a very desirable thing to have at this time." He thinks that more men at home could be…

GLC00653.22.09

1861-1864

Toland, John T., fl. 1863-1864

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"Scouts have all come in. Cavalry came in last night as reported infantry a few hours ago. They have been unable to get even a glimpse of the enemy . . . " Intellligence relayed by a conscript: ". . . Jenkins men were still at Salem . . The common talk in the rebel camps is that they must occupy this country as soon as the grass grows . . . The entire force of Rebels in Western Va is estimated at ten thousand . . . ." Dated 28 186

GLC02414.314

February 6, 1864

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 1, no. 7 (February 6, 1864)]

Speech of W.G. Brownlow, Evacuation of Corinth, Conscription North & South.

GLC05959.50.07

February 27, 1864

Brownlow, William Gannaway, 1805-1877

Newspaper

Title: Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and rebel ventilator. [Vol. 1, no. 10 (February 27, 1864)]

The Oath of Amnesty - slaves - impressments, etc.

GLC05959.50.10

February 16, 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Addresses letter "My own Dear Bell," and asks her why she hasn't written to him. Says he is expecting orders to go down the river any day with his Division. Informs Bell that the draft took place yesterday. Speculates that if the quota wasn't met at home, "...there was some shaking in the boots of some of the men there." Comments on news of a friend's new baby, adding that an officer he works with just had a baby. Mentions his satisfactory dinner of roast beef, mutton, pork, potatoes and sauerkraut. Informs her that he has changed boarding houses and his Captain is paying half his rent.…

GLC03523.10.161

1864

Cook, Henry, fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: 1864 Diary

In this diary, dated from January through November, 1864, Henry Cook documents life in the US Signal Corps. Stationed near New Bern, NC, Cook writes of matters of daily life--meals, rations, guard duty, trips to town, construction projects--and of military movement, including the coming and going of numerous officers. He notes rumors and reports of Union victories and losses, and he describes the combat that he encounters. After he contracts Yellow Fever, he writes extensively on his condition and the treatments that he receives and on the epidemic in nearby cities. The diary abruptly ends in…

GLC03958.03

27 May 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives details of marching with an unspecified company, and discusses his recent service at Providence, Rhode Island. Refers to a recent election of representatives, possibly in Boston, Massachusetts. Writes, "My good friend, we are in a very bad state of defence in this Town & harbour, not a man in all the Forts here..." Sent his regiment to recruit soldiers outside of Boston, and they have only raised 26 men: "the Country People have got the devil in them... good god Harry if we go on in this way we shall soon be ruined, ruined for ever." Mentions the discrepancy between the current…

GLC02437.00604

24-26 November 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Encounter with Confederate cavalry and other artillery fire; new conscripts; anticipating battle with Hood's forces; making breastworks in the middle of the night; defense by African American troops.

GLC02739.145

31 July 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Lucy Knox, Henry's wife, left for Newbury Port (possibly Massachusetts), the previous Monday. Mentions an express from General [Israel] Putnam to General [William] Heath, in which Putnam attested the British sailed from the Hook (possibly Paulus Hook, New Jersey), but did not know where they were bound. General George Washington assumed they are bound for Philadelphia, but a letter from General [Alexander] McDougal to Colonel Sears in Boston states they may be sailing toward Boston. Notes that Sears's behavior, including his intention to flee Boston, has "fright'd all the old…

GLC02437.00631

5 March 1864

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Says that he was sorry to learn that all men ages 17-50 will have to join the army. [See GLC02715.114] Comments that he hopes George will not join the army. "I become stronger for the union every day I live... I don't think we will ever be able to gain another victory."

GLC02715.085

1 November 1862

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 17 (November 1, 1862)]

Exemption Bill outlines people exempt from military service. Local news items. Printed on floral pink and white pattern with green outlining dots.

GLC06208.07

15 November 1862

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 19 (November 15, 1862)]

Major-General R. Taylor assures inhabitants of St. Martin, St. Mary, and Lafayette counties that their residences and possessions will be safe with him there. Some ads in French. Proclamation by Lincoln regarding conscription. Gray and brownish floral diamond pattern.

GLC06208.09

3 January 1863

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 26 (January 3, 1863)]

General conscription orders both in English and in French, and an editorial examines Gov. Moore's message on same topic. Editorial criticizes Harper's Weekly commentary. Blue and light tan colors in broad floral design.

GLC06208.14

January 24, 1863

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 29 (January 24, 1863)]

Report of casualties at Louisville. General conscription orders in English and French. Relief bill for soldiers' families. Militia bill. White with gray design with blue outline dots.

GLC06208.16

21 March 1863

Burnett, Lawrence T., fl. 1862-1863

Newspaper

Title: The confederate states. [Vol. 6, no. 37 (March 21, 1863)]

Exemption bill; resolutions against Lincoln. White and cream floral pattern.

GLC06208.21

6 December 1776

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Speaks of the importance of friendship and the value of his friendship with Knox. Promises to purchase goods for Henry Knox. Inquires as to how the "independant company" is faring in Boston. States that he was drafted into the continental army but got out of it by paying a fine of ten pounds. "Political affairs seem to wear a gloomy appearance at present," and he worries about the news he has received that Howe is in Philadelphia and the Congress is moving to Baltimore. Howe was not in Philadelphia at the time and the Congress would not flee to Baltimore until the next week.

GLC02437.00493

4 December circa 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Reports that the army issued an order that all men between 17 and 50, who had not reported for service, were to be taken by force to join the army. [See #85] Writes that Harvey was caught when he went to town, not knowing about the order and that Christian has begun to speak. Date was taken GLC02715.085.

GLC02715.114

circa February 5, 1865

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Writes that she just received his letters dated 13 January and 16 January. Notes that she had not received a letter since November 1864 and she was sure something had happened to him. Blasts the "sesech" who "look worse than a passle of Dog's catch" and vows to burn all her money before she will let them have any of it. She claims the "sesech" are trying to cheat people out of money by selling bale cotton for $100 Confederate currency or $2 in silver. Times are rough and many families are starving. Notes that George has been taken into the army. He now belongs to the 54th Regiment,…

GLC02715.118

4 August 1864

Allen, George D., fl. 1859-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Says he received her letter of the "28th" on 3 August. Is glad their mother's health is better, but sorry to hear that "little Mary" is ill. Sends his love to Will and tells "him to keep out of the Draft as it is bad for young men." Says "I am glad you can make my letters out. I think I can write better after a while as my hand is so heavy. I am trying to learn to read also and Jack is helping me all he can[.] I wish I had of taken it in hand when I first came out." Sends further greetings to family members and closes by saying there is "no news here at present of any account." Postscript…

GLC02829.14

26 August 1864

Allen, William, fl. 1834-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Will Allen

Writes to his brother Will. Says he got a letter from their other brother George, which says he is well. Is glad that Will is getting along so well "in the Lodge" -- the Masonic Lodge. Says there are many Masons; on the Potomac Flotilla with him and they all seem happier when they meet. Says if he joins the Navy he can get him a position as paymaster steward for the flotilla. Says the pay is 45 dollars/month. Advises him to think about it rather than be drafted. Says he loves children and misses his very much. Goes on to send greetings to other family members. Says their brother Frank has…

GLC02829.16

January 13, 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Sending photograph to wife "one of the crossest sourest looking fellows imagineable." Regarding the war effort: "If they make any offensive movement here I dont know what it will be unless 'On to Richmond' and the General that undertakes that will be shure to get redused [sic] because he didnt succede [sic]. If it were possible I really wish Governor Seymour would call us home, and if they want 300 000 more troops I hope he will get his back up about it, and tell them to go to h--l. I see by the papers that 'Our Glorious Victories' in the South West are kinder 'over the left' when you sum…

GLC04558.062

22 May 1863

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

"This is an awful lonesome and lazy life to live..." Sultry days and chilly nights; drilling. On receiving a letter from his abolitionist brother-in-law: "...I received a letter from Edwin..... He accuses me of lacking sympathy with the plan and purpose of the war. The purp. I wonder if he think I would have any sympathy with his abolition plan. I answered his letter yesterday and stated my plan, that is, the one I had when I enlisted which was simply to save the Union and put down rebel[l]ion, but still I had to acknowledge that they had got me fighting (though reluctantly) on his plan…

GLC04558.094