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to Mother

has had a headache for several days. advised to keep two days rations on hand. does not know know if there will be a fight soon. Written in a camp near Rapidan River, Virginia

GLC08300.19

to father

He gives him detail as to how William died. He says he cannot allow himself to mourn and thinks of his death as a warning.

GLC02161.077

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Charley was detailed as adjutant which means he has more work now. The cavalry camp is gone and no one knows where. He sent his citizen clothes home.

GLC02161.081

to sister

He is discharging his duties as 2nd Lt. in the Buffalo Light Battery. He mentions John Mooney. Mrs. Bush is quite sick. He requests photographs.

GLC02161.082

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He mentions Meade. Lee's chances of getting out of Maryland intact are not very good. However, everything seems to look good for them.

GLC02161.086

to mother

He has enclosed a soldier's tribute to the 1st corps. He was one of the original members. Cassie wrote that many people had returned home and that she will visit his mother this summer.

GLC02161.118

to father

He has sent photos for his album. They may stay where they are for 2 months. His uncle tells him his father has a new home on Clinton St.

GLC02161.120

to Fannie Schoonmaker

Lonely, decided to write her. Is very happy with his new place. Does not know what to write; asks for suggestions in her response. Asks if her parents are going away, and, if so, to let him know in advance so he can see her. Promises that he will not...

GLC02164.04

to Fannie Schoonmaker

Illegible. Ink has faded substantially, making it nearly impossible to read.

GLC02164.06

to Fannie Schoonmaker

Printed on 56th New York stationery. Is fulfilling his promise that he made to her upon departing Neversink to keep her updated on all that is going on in his life. Would have written sooner, but there has been a lot of marching. Did not know when to...

GLC02164.11

[Mortgage sale of real estate of Norman R. & Harriet W. Dewey]

The Deweys' land is being foreclosed and sold at public auction.

GLC02161.003

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He will miss Hattie who has sadly departed. He regrets all the unkind things he said to her. Meanwhile they have been building nice quarters for themselves. He describes the interior of their tents.

GLC02161.009

to Norman R. Dewey

He got to occupy the outpost, a dangerous position. But he liked it. He received the box filled with raspberry jam, a handkerchief and towels. Written at Camp Rogers.

GLC02161.010

to Norman R. Dewey

He has been very busy getting off Will's quarterly returns. Charley wrote that if he can enlist 20 or 25 men, he can have a 2nd lieutenancy.

GLC02161.014

to [Norman R. Dewey]

Wednesday they marched through Centerville. Centerville has the strongest position the Rebels ever had. He has been to Manassas and Bull's Run.

GLC02161.017

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Last night they crossed the Rappahannock, marched through Fredricksburg and camped. He talks about how the Rebels treat their dead horses and mules. Fredricksburg is described as a filthy place.

GLC02161.021

to [Norman R. Dewey]

He has just read his his commission. Col. Albergers' Regt. is at Williamsburg with McClellan.

GLC02161.022

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

GLC02161.024

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He got a letter from Will who has picket duty. Their sharpshooters killed or wounded every gunner that attempted to use their artillery. There will be no more picketing on their end.

GLC02161.027

to Norman R. Dewey

Not only is will a prisioner, but so is the asst. surgeon, so he won't lack for proper medical care. Charles Bidwell had to resign because of poor health. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.031

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He thinks McClellan could have cut his way through Richmond a month ago. But there would have been drawbacks. The North needs to come down to the South and just fight. But he thinks they are currently outnumbered.

GLC02161.032

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

If anything bad happens, he has arranged it so that she will hear it in a telegram first and not in the paper. He got paid and is sending money home.

GLC02161.034

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He admonishes her for worrying too much about everything. He says she is too imaginative and envisions the worst about everything.

GLC02161.041

to [Norman R. Dewey]

Lt. Hunt says the paymaster is coming soon. His father says he shouldn't live without too many comforts. He says he doesn't need many.

GLC02161.044

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is not that discouraged by the fact that they did not advance and take Richmond. He is just happy to see the James River and be alive. He has confidence.

GLC02161.045

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There is a rumour going around that Will was released but it is not believed because he would have stopped by. The men signed a petition to keep him in their regiment.

GLC02161.046

to his sister

He is afraid he raised her hopes by talking of Will's probable release. Meanwhile, Capt. Albergen is trying to see if he can get him a furlough. He encloses a sketch of his quarters, not included here.

GLC02161.047

to his mother

The paymaster still hasn't been around, but his health is good, though he has been fatter in the past. Written at Fort Pocahontas

GLC02161.049

to his father

He is upset because he received a package from Adams Express in which everything was rotten. But he was able to salvage a few things.

GLC02161.054

to mother

Charley will be a lieutenant in a battery. He read in the paper that the government will allow three years men to fill up the 21st. But if he thinks they would stay any longer than that he is stupid. Even Gen. McClellan thinks they were held...

GLC02161.059

to mother

Mollie writes that Tom resigned and is coming home, though he wanted to keep it a surprise. She also writes that when Will comes, he will bring Fanny with him.

GLC02161.068

to mother

He will be unable to visit this week. His new appointment will make him very busy.

GLC02161.072

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He mentions Charley. He is glad they received the money for the horse. He asks Will Whedon to write his brother Al.

GLC02161.089

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He returned to camp and couldn't find his battery. So he wandered around the city until 1 am when he finally found them on Ridge Road. He mentions Mooney and Al Wheeler.

GLC02161.094

to mother

He is in desperate need of money. He only has $15.35. He has no money to give them and asks if she knows anyone who will loan them $100 or $150.

GLC02161.124

to Norman R. Dewey

A dispatch from Grant came saying he had taken Johnson's whole division. One of the batteries from Camp Barry was lost but then retaken by the 13th division. He is afraid Charley will have a hand in the fighting.

GLC02161.126

to father

Yesterday the whole command except for one division was ordered to embark to reinforce Grant. Gen. Lee assumes he will save Richmond. No one really likes Butler, the commanding officer.

GLC02161.129

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The infantry has been behaving badly. At a seven infantry engagement with the "Johns", the men got inside the mark as soon as possible. In other words, they ran at the first fire.

GLC02161.130

to Norman R. Dewey

He has enclosed the key to his trunk. He gives instructions on what to do with the items inside.

GLC02161.131

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He feels sorry for Burns. All the old officers are gone from the old 5th. The new ones are strangers. The captain of his old company has been dismissed.

GLC02161.133

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is kind of sick. He sent a photograph of Gen. Binney.

GLC02161.139

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He received the badge and put it on top of the cap he wears.They get paid this week. He saw Tom McCabe but couldn't get to Charley.

GLC02161.141

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He wishes he could stop working and be idle. He longs to just sit and think of nothing.

GLC02161.150

to Harriet W. Dewey

They will be going South via Richmond. He tells his mother she works too hard and to take it easy.

GLC02161.153

[Certificate of ownership of cemetery plot]

This is to certify that Dewey owns a cemetary plot.

GLC02161.163

to Nathan Curtice

His demand against the recipient was left by Joseph Moulton for collection

GLC02161.165

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge writes to Ann predicting what is going on at home. He writes, "you are setting by the table a sewing Grandmaron is bizy…mom making shugar and uncle James is sleep." He also wishes that he would have had another shirt made before leaving for...

GLC02162.02

to unknown

re: Dodge writes about the balloon the Union dispatched over the Confederates as well as sickness and despair that has befallen the soldiers. He also writes about the prices for food: "butter is .40cts a pound…potatoes…are 1.25a bushel and shugar is...

GLC02162.08

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: After the battle of Locust, or Orange Grove [November 27, 1863], John Blanchard sustained a "Gun Shot wound in the left arm between the elbow and Shoulder." He spent more than six weeks in the hospital, promising to see the war out "if I have to...

GLC02162.11

to Abel Wood

re: Wheelock writes about the prices for food in the army. He likes the salted pork and says that things are expensive. He describes his work days, saying some days are busy "onloading botes & helping to load up teames with all sortes of stuff,"...

GLC02162.13

to Clement Wood

re: Eldredge writes to his friend Clement, saying he feels sorry for him because Carolina, the focus of Clement's attention, left him for another man. He also writes about camp life, remarking about the daily drilling routine, and saying that his...

GLC02162.15

to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, in camp near White Oak Church. Comments that Colonel Russel expects a commission (possibly David Allen Russell). One of Edwards's men, Charlie [Hurd?], was recommended...

GLC02163.04

to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.14

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Laments camp accommodations ("you are at Church listening to a good sermon while I am seated on a wash basin and writing on a Camp Kettle") and not being able to spend "the last Sunday in Brookfield that perhaps I...

GLC02165.03

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Mentions going into New Orleans and meeting many acquaintances from home, noting that the people "seemed to behave themselves very well." Wounded acquaintance, William, returns to service, and William, the writer...

GLC02165.05

to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. First mentions a skirmish near Lake Pontchartrain. Visits a nearby plantation, visiting its sugar house, and conversing with former enslaved people who say they would rather be there than in the camp. Describes...

GLC02165.07

to Harriet W. Dewey

Mark hasn't arrived in Washington yet, but his baggage arrived. He is off to visit Col. Alberge and doesn't have time to write. Written at Camp Rogers.

GLC02161.011

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He mentions the irony of celebrating Independence Day when they are no longer a unified country. They are having bad luck with officers and cannot afford to lose any more. He saw Henry Hale.

GLC02161.085

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He asks her for pillows, sheets and a quilt for Christmas.

GLC02161.104

to father

He shipped a trunk home yesterday. They will march today or tomorrow to Fort Monroe.

GLC02161.122

to Harriet W. Dewey

He thinks the "Head of the Nation" is frightened by the raid into Maryland and want to protect Washington. He would like to hear that the Johnnies are burning Buffalo.

GLC02161.134

[Commissions to Second Lieutenant]

Partially printed. The adjutant general officiallly offers Dewey the commission of 2nd lieutenant.

GLC02161.156

to Mrs. Dewey

He talks about his future marriage with Mary. He needs her support. Even though he has bad habits, Mary tends to indulge him. He asks Mrs. Dewey for best wishes.

GLC02161.002

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They heard that Gen. Johnson was going to attack them with 20,000 men. They met them with 15,000 men. He describes some skirmishes. Later his promotion meant he was moved to B company.

GLC02161.008

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He was worried for Mollie since he hadn't heard from her in a while. But she was fine. He predicts Major Whittany will go far in his profession. He likes him a lot. Written at Camp Niagara

GLC02161.015

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They are advancing with an army of 100,000 men. He expects their there to be a "dreadful battle in a day or so". He applied to be on Gen. Smith's staff. There will be terrible slaughter sioon.Written at Fort Monroe

GLC02161.020

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He heard that Will was captured at Old Church. He is not that worried and feels he will be released unharmed. He himself is doing well. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.029

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Her husband informs her he has been taken prisoner. He assures her, however, that he is very comfortable.

GLC02161.030

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is angry because it seems like everyone else has been home at least once if not twice already. He has also been there about five months longer as well.

GLC02161.043

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a rumor that Smith's Division had been taken from the army of the Potomac and assigned to the central department. Four months ago they came to this same place with 780 men. Now they only have 400.

GLC02161.052

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

They arrived in Bull Run only to find out they had been whipped. He lists the names of the officers that were wounded. He had a letter written to her which he tore up, for fear the Rebels would get it if he were wounded or killed.

GLC02161.053

Honorable discharge of O. S. Dewey

Officially gives Orville Dewey an honorable discharge from the military.

GLC02161.069

to father

He has been appointed 2nd lieutenant of Capt. Eaton's battery. He has decided to accept it.

GLC02161.071

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Charley arrived early in the morning and he was very glad to see him. He wrote to the general describing his case in a very favorable light, but has heard nothing yet.

GLC02161.095

to sister

He mentions Will and Al Wheeler. Capt. Eaton has made him promise to come back as Jr. 1st lieutenant. He asks about Cassie.

GLC02161.097

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The 19th corps from N. Orleans have been pressing up the river for the last couple of days. If Sherman gets Atlantis, they should have some real fighting ahead of them.

GLC02161.135

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

It is very hot and he is writing on cheap paper. The 9th corps made a bad name for themselves and ruined their reputation and position but he doesn't elaborate.

GLC02161.136

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is concerned that if the chances aren't good enough in Buffalo, he will have to go somewhere else. Written at Fort Pocahontas

GLC02161.137

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There is no real news today. Everyone is sleeping in the fields. He has his tent up.

GLC02161.143

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The cavalry division was badly whipped. The Johnnies followed and attacked their line. They (Dewey and regiment) smashed their artillery in turn.

GLC02161.144

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Sounds as if he could be her fiance. He thanks her for all the things she has made him. He acknowledges her new sister and hopes her parents are well.

GLC02161.148

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He won't be able to dance at her wedding unfortuately. He is heavily in debt and won't be able to send her more money than what he already has. He has sent as much as he can afford to Cassie as well.

GLC02161.152

to Harriet W. Dewey

He met several of his mother's relatives in Natchez. The Carpenters, mainly. He and Mrs. Carpenter had a grand time.

GLC02161.158

to Harriet W. Dewey

He asks her to pay the enclosed. He will send the balance later.

GLC02161.159

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He describes Camp Vinde. It has been run down since 1861 but could be revived. The third page is a sketch of Camp Vinde.

GLC02161.161

to Norman R. Dewey

He didn't realize the holidays were so close because his mind was on the recent earthquake. He had intended to go to the south of Italy or France but ended up staying there

GLC02161.164

to Norman R. Dewey

He mentions that their father may have been wounded during the war. He wants details however. In what capacity did he serve and under whose command.

GLC02161.166

[Record of marriage of Harriet W. Robinson and Norman R. Dewey]

Official marriage record with signature of witnesses.

GLC02161.167

to Mollie Blossom

He got a telegram from Ida the other day saying she is going to sail on the Meade soon. He wishes he could meet them all in Manila. He would love to take the trip with them.

GLC02161.171

[Envelope addressed to Mary E. McLean]

Dated 13 March.

GLC02161.174

to unknown

Dated 20 March. He wants to return to Charleston and desperately wants to see her and Pauline. He especially wants to see her before she gets married. He mentions George and Hill.

GLC02161.175

to her sister

Dated 27 March. She describes Albany. She says it is old and foggy, too old for a yankee. Though she formed a very good opinion of the people. She describes a waterfall

GLC02161.178

[Envelope addressed to Mary E. McLean]

Dated 3 July.

GLC02161.179

to Ida Frances

"Please comply with his wishes expressed in the enclosed." Actual letter missing.

GLC02161.182

to Mary "Mollie" Dewey

She wants Mollie to come see her in June or else she will come see her. She reminds her that she used to say she liked her as well as one of own children.

GLC02161.183

to Esther Ann Kinney

re: Dodge asks Kinney to "send me a shirt by mail" made of blue flannel. He also describes the two battles in which he fought: the Seven Days Battles [June 25-July 1, 1862] and the Second Battle of Bull run [August 1862]. The fight at Malvern Hill on...

GLC02162.04

to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Appears to follow GLC02163.06 (also to his mother). Location inferred from content. Informs her that Lieutenant Colonel Montague (possibly George Montague) will...

GLC02163.07

to Eunice Lombard Edwards

Replies to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Written near Culpepper Courthouse. Received correspondence from his mother while at Kelly's Ford, Virginia. Reports that the 2nd Corps (Army of the Potomac) was...

GLC02163.13

to Fannie Schoonmaker

The letter has the same stamp as letter #8, so it could also have been written while Higgins was fighting in the Peninsular Campaign. Hopes the time will soon come when they will be reunited. Says he takes a great deal of comfort in writing, and...

GLC02164.09

to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.12