23 September 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He describes his quarters which are very comfortable now.

GLC02744.026

25 September 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes about William's predicament. He is glad she and the children are doing well.

GLC02744.027

27 September 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He is practicing drills, new regiments are settling in. He updates her on where the union and the rebels stand.

GLC02744.028

29 September 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He thought they should go towards the rebels but decided to go farther away.

GLC02744.029

29 September 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He points out that newspapers give a "false coloring" as to what is really going on. tells the story of a narrow escape one soldier had .

GLC02744.030

02 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He asks if she has recevied all his letters, instructs her where to send his mail.

GLC02744.031

03 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He was visited by a couple of friends including Ed Marvin.

GLC02744.032

07 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He saw William and said he was looking better than he had ever seen him. talked about the mail he received.

GLC02744.033

08 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He talks about their relationship and how intertwined their lives are.

GLC02744.034

10 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He talks at great length of how even though they are separated, she is there in spirit and that bond is unbreakable. She is the best wife he could ever have and their separation only rekindles the passion. He feels blessed by god to have her as a wife.

GLC02744.035

09 October 1862

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

He writes that their souls are united forever.

GLC02744.036

14 November 1862

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Very glad to have received postage stamps in his last letter. Also glad to hear that all is well at home. Is well at present, but is getting a cold. Just returned from the meal ship, which has a few dents in its side "where the Merrimack balls struck her." Notices one just above a porthole. Can still see the remnants of the battle of Hampton Roads from months before. The U.S.S. Cumberland still lies on the ocean floor, with "the top part of her mast [sticking] out of the water." The U.S.S. Monitor is stationed there, guarding against another attack by the Confederates. Thinks they will be…

GLC08914.006

24 November 1862

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Received her letter today. Cold is getting better; will be fine in a few days. Many on board the ship are still sick. A man in his company took sick, "got crazy," jumped overboard, and drowned last night. Gun boats have gone ahead, and "we expect to leave in a few days." Thinks they are going to either Charleston or Texas. Is currently sitting on top of the wheel house. Sees the large fort and "five or six" steam ships. After the rebels are done fighting with him, they "will [be] so whipped that they will come up to us and shake hands." Sent $10 of his pay with the letter. She should put some…

GLC08914.009

January 23, 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Received a letter from him yesterday. Glad to hear all are well. "They can't kill this Rifenburgh." Tells them not to listen to other people about the money he sent them; there has evidently been some misunderstand about who owes how much money. Does not like New Orleans; "a soldier can't get anything strong to drink."

GLC08914.014

15 April 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister

Letter is signed with an elaborate stamp that surrounds the initials P.E.R. It is possible that Rifenburgh created the stamp himself by simply putting dots of ink on the page, as it is not perfectly symmetrical. Received their letter yesterday. Is well, and hopes this letter finds them well. Not much news to report. "They brought a rebel into camp this afternoon." He was ordered to leave by the guard, and, when he did not, was shot. Has not been paid in a while. Asks to be sent some postage stamps. Will "give up writing so many" letters in order to save stamps. "Good news" from Mobile that…

GLC08914.019

17 April 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his knapsack with him. Cooks have received orders to cool extra rations for them to bring on the march. Is not afraid of death, and "if I get shot then I die in a good cause, but I don't think that gun even was made to shoot me." One of the guards shot a Rebel earlier in the week. He approached the camp, was ordered to stop, did not, and was shot. The…

GLC08914.020

19 May 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Received her letter today. Just returned from an expedition started on May 12th up the Mississippi River. Went 32 miles by foot and by boat through Lake Pontchartrain. After a few days' march, formed a line of battle. Marched about half a mile in battle formation, and then engaged the rebels. "They fired one volley and then they skedaddled like hell." Took about 100 prisoners. Also encountered some Indians. Took 19 prisoners personally back to New Orleans and had the "privilege" of killing them. Now has marching orders back to the Mississippi River. Will send $20 home once he gets paid. Hopes…

GLC08914.025

10 June 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Marched to Port Hudson on May 20th. Boarded the steamer Bard and sailed until sundown, when they arrived at Baton Rouge. Sailed 10 more miles the next day, and landed on shore. Got 100 rounds worth of cartridges, and then marched the rest of the way to Port Hudson. Rained "like the devil" that night; were "wet as cats." Marched the next afternoon until they were within two miles of their current position. Made their way to their current position the next day. The next day "our regiment made a charge on the Rebels in the wood and drove them all out and burned five houses." Has fallen back…

GLC08914.027

10 June 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nelson Rifenburgh

"We have had a pop at the rebels." Colonel was killed and eighty-five of his comrades were wounded. Did not take part in the fight, was left at the hospital to care for the sick. Eph[raim] Lasher and Patsey were wounded. Has "quite a lot of the wounded to see to." "Very hot" weather. Some of the men who were only signed up for nine months are leaving. Apologizes for the short letter. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.028

5 August 1863

Autograph document

Title: [partial receipt for William H. Ryphenburgh]

Fragment, partial receipt for William H. Ryphenburgh [sic].

GLC08914.037

12 April 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

13 April 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman R. Dewey

Partially printed. He informs his father of William's death.

GLC02161.078

15 April 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He assures her he will see her as soon as possible and offers condolences.

GLC02161.079

13 June 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Capt. Cornfield has died, charging at the head of his command. Unfortunaetely he was unable to pay his respects.

GLC02161.083

21 June 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He mentions the apathy and the copperheads amongst the North. He says the Southerners are a remorseless people who are willing to win or die. Recently they had a grand review by Gen. Barry.

GLC02161.084