1 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to questions from his family about the belongings of Marvin Wait, one of the men who was wounded in battle and to news that it was the anniversary of his father's death. Believes his father to be the guardian angel that watches over him and his family. Reports the news of General Burnside being promoted to commander in chief of the Army of the Potomac. Written from "Gaskins' Mill," likely in Virginia.

GLC03603.179

January 26, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes after returning from a trip home. Reports seeing Fred Ward's father on the train and hearing him talk about his son who he believes has been taken prisoner. Thinks that Fred Ward is dead but did not tell his father this. Reports that Charlie Johnson met him in New York and attempted to give him boots, an overcoat, and a scarf and gloves. Writes that he arrived in Washington, D.C. and bought a sword, haversack and boots. Declares that the city is "full of shoulder strap & I was ashamed to be seen there." Describes his new sword and his return to camp, where he was made fun of for…

GLC03603.184

10 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant Eaton

Responds to news of the Lieutenant's wounds healing, and expresses hope that he will return to the regiment in time for the winter campaign. Reports that Peter Mann and John A. Dixon have died of their battle wounds. This copy is a draft of a letter that he sent to his family.

GLC03603.152

1 November 1862

Arms, E.P., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Morgan Coit

Writes to request more information about the money for the monument to Dr. Lathrop. Asks where the money is deposited and what sort of monument the donors of the money had in mind.

GLC03603.160

3 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Arms

Writes in response to the request for information about the monument fund for Dr. Lathrop. Encloses the bank draft for the account containing $307, collected from the men of the 8th Regiment.

GLC03603.161

1861-1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Document

Title: [Document concerning monument to Dr. Lathrop]

A draft of a document outlining the intention to honor Dr. Lathrop with a monument and an account ledger keeping track of which members of the 8th Regiment had donated to the fund and the amounts of their donations.

GLC03603.162

14 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment is in Fredericksburg after four days of battle. Reports that the losses to the regiment are 6-8 wounded and one killed. Expresses a feeling of responsibility for the man who was killed.

GLC03603.172

6 November 1851

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Sarah Gibson

Randall worries over their father's "daily sacrifices" since their mother's death (see GLC04501.100) and expresses concern for his well being. He has been elected to deliver an oration on behalf of the Southern Literary Society at an event in which two Northern Societies will also speak. He also discusses a possible trip south. Randall writes from Yale University, from which he would graduate in 1853.

GLC04501.001

16 September 1858

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Discussing the impact of the weather on crops at Live Oaks and Greenwood plantations, an order for "gas fixtures," and the incidence of fever in the vicinities. Tobias Gibson's family owned three plantations in Louisiana. In part: "The health of the neighborhood is not at all good - the type of Fever, however, is mild & yields readily to treatment. Nearly everybody has been sick...The sooner you come the better - but you will observe that the Yellow Fever only assumes a more malignant type & may yet spread. It was after this that it was fatal in Thibodeaux."

GLC04501.003

2 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He arrived in Columbus, Kentucky in the midst of a winter storm. He is not impressed by the discipline of the Confederate troops. He has gained 15 pounds in 2 months and visited relatives in Vicksburg. In part: "Well you see we are at last in the face of the enemy...I have not yet had an opportunity of making an examination of our position but so far as I have seen it is exceedingly strong, Nor do I know how many men are here about - fifteen thousand perhaps including all the reinforcements. I am ignorant of the strength of the enemy either at Cairo or Paducah. From what I hear…

GLC04501.012

January 30, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

February 4, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee. Reports that Ruthven Russell has died in the hospital at Gallatin. Writes that some fifty or sixty blacks have run away and come into the camp where General Paine has put them to work. Wheeler writes that a "good many of the Secesh are getting sick of their job and they are sneaking home." Thirteen soldiers from Wheeler's regiment have also…

GLC07460.013

February 21, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

February 23, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He reports that John Fetterly has died of small pox. Writes that Fetterly was unable to march, so he was transferred to the pest house where he died. Wheeler informs his family that he will be on the march and may not be able to write for ten or twelve days.

GLC07460.017

February 22, 1863

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Reports that it has been snowing all day long. Says she has not heard from him "for sometime." References the military situation around Martinsburg, saying "the cavalry may make a dash at any time, they are all around and captured a picket guard between here and Winchester two or three days ago." Mentions other skirmishes and troop movements and says a railroad in Mercer County is being guarded. Refers to her state as "W. Va." on page 3, about 5 months before it became a state. Says she might go to Baltimore to visit their sister Kate soon. Says one of…

GLC03523.21.20

17 October 1864

Tillotson, Anne Elizabeth, fl. 1861-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: To her husband George Tillotson

Cross written. Family friends inquire on their son's death, wanting to bring the body home. Copperheads claiming the war will continue four more years if Lincoln is reelected. Farm business. Accompanied by a recipe for dye in a child's hand, possibly Georgiana's.

GLC04558.171

9 January 1865

McGill, William, fl. 1861-1898

Autograph letter signed

Title: To George Tillotson

McGill is being transferred. Hopes to make it home before his wife dies. Written at Fort Monroe.

GLC04558.183

January 21, 1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Not signed, but handwriting matches previous signed letters by Anna. Refeneces receiving Henry's previous letter. Thought the danger he was in was over, but then they heard about the attack on Fort Fisher and they started to worry again. Hopes to hear he is alright. Tells him of the death of what appears to be a neighbor. Updates him on many friends and family members. Says she read reports of the stormy weather by him. Tells him "I think it is wonderful the fleet ships will not suffer more. I expect the loss of life was very great. I know you will do all…

GLC03523.21.37

1877-1900

Newspaper clipping

Title: [Obituary of David P. Harmon]

Describes Harmon as a horticulturalist, farmer, and abolitionist. Mentions that Harmon withdrew from his religious associations due to the "complicity of the church... with the crime of slavery." Harmon was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Gives brief information on funeral services.

GLC06143.27

circa September

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Informs his sister that he will not be coming home on a furlough. Inquires on how her Sabbath school picnic went in Washington. Writes that there was an expedition in Louisiana to seek out the rebels. Reports that his brigade did not go on the expedition, they had to stay behind and guard Natchez, Louisiana. Reports that the rebels had sharpshooters that shot their men before they could be seen and that they blew up the magazine. Notes that they burnt the works before they left. Sumner Sayles' sister, Isora Sayles, has married and now goes by the name Isora Skinkle.

GLC03523.32.21

11 August 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Gibson. Says that they are placing a masked battery about a mile from camp. Writes that they are clearing an area of trees that is about a mile in width. Says that 14 men out of his company were chopping down trees yesterday and today. Reports that they are about nine miles from Fairfax Court House where there is a rebel camp. They have picket guards in place between them and the rebel camp with the bridge being heavily guarded. Describes an impending battle that General [Winfield] Scott is planning. He is preparing a masked battery to relieve the picket…

GLC03523.49.04

7 August 1864

Thurman, B.S., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Ward

Written from the battle line near Atlanta, Georgia. Encloses the obituary for Ed Ward, which includes the autograph of each member of the company. He writes that Ed was beloved and esteemed by all of the men in the company. Informs Dr. Ward that Ed was first buried by the enemy which was unavoidable, but has since been reburied by the company men (including his brother Samuel Marshall Ward) in Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC02232.33

circa August 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: Obituary for Edward K. Ward

Obituary for Edward K. Ward, who was killed on 22 July 1864 near Atlanta, Georgia. The obituary is signed by all the members of the company.

GLC02232.34

22 March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Sends his best wishes to everyone back home. Comments that he has not been sick since he has been in "Dixie." Writes that he is sorry to hear how many people are sick and dying back home. Describes how he would like to see all the deserters caught and returned to the regiment so they can see what soldiering is like. Informs her that he is not tired of soldiering yet. They completed cutting a canal through the levy last night. Mentions that some believe the whole lower part of Louisiana will flood. Writes of hearing cannons in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi every day and says…

GLC03523.32.08

March 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Informs his sister that he was happy to hear that people are still patriotic. Comments he was happy to hear their late friend Spencer's body was returned home to his family. Mentions how he would like to see the Havens family begin teaching at a school. Believes that the Havens are the most capable to fill the station. Request that his sister tells a man named Arvin that, "he must not get in a pet at any thing if he wants to Succeed with the girls for they are Curious beings one has to pet them as he would any other pet or else they will sack him." Wishes her and everyone else back home…

GLC03523.32.09