May 29, 1866

Smith, Hiram, fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Wiliams

He wants to know when his limbs will be ready for him to pick up so he can plan.

GLC00687.230

May 29, 1866

Sperling, A.B., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He read the Independent and as he lost his right arm, he would like their circular.

GLC00687.231

June 1, 1865

Williams, A. F., fl. 1864-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. W. Sullivan

Because George May Powell did not write with their proposition, he agrees to use efficient skill and energy to start with a plan listing people and their interest in the patent. Powell will raise necessary funds to set things in motion, and will consequently receive 20% of all sales of limbs.

GLC00687.232

June 22, 1866

Scott, D.M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He would like to order a limb but would rather come to New York for a fitting rather than send in his measurements. He offers a couple of different ways to have a fitting.

GLC00687.233

November 12, 1866

Ward & Briggs

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Condell Life Like Limb Company

They make arm and leg joints and supply some of the largest houses in the trade. Their style, satisfaction, and price will probably please the company.

GLC00687.234

February 13, 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the Battle of Stones Creek and its aftermath for the regiment. He writes that the enemy killed or wounded eighteen in the regiment and that his colonel was drunk during the fight. Cranor speculates that this drunk Colonel will be mustered out of the service soon as a result. Despite the bad news, he writes that "it wouldent doo for a Soldier to get discouraged" and praises Rosecrans. He lauds the new commander of the Army of the Cumberland at the expense of Rosecrans' successor Don Carlo Buell, noting Rosecrans bravery and attempts to rally the troops during the battle.

GLC03791.004

22 May 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: [Written on prepared stationery for a beau at war] Cranor reports from the front lines of the battles in Georgia. He tells Delia that one mutual acquaintance is adjusting well to soldier life and that his messmate was shot at the Battle of Resaca in Georgia.

GLC03791.013

1 June 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

While the Battle near Dallas rages Cranor tells Delia that someone from their neighborhood was shot and wounded and the tale of a few men who spent six days in jail. He asks for clarification of a joke she made about him in her last letter. He has had problems with photographs that he wants to send to her.

GLC03791.014

3 July 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Written from the frontlines of the Atlanta Campaign Cranor reports that he has seen the worst of fighting, even more so than Stones River and Missionary Ridge. He wrote "that day was the first time ever I thought of getting killed in battel when we was fighting just to look and see men falling like they did." His company sustained heavy casualties: "we had 44 men I beleave, now we have twelve men for duty." He finishes on the topic of the photographs.

GLC03791.015

5 September 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor describes the trickery that led to the fall of Atlanta. His regiment again worked primarily on the railroads and reports that casualites for the regiment were light. He describes the general love for General Sherman who masterminded the "worst whippin [the rebels] ever got[.]" He tells Delia he will send her a letter he took off of a dead Confederate [not included in the collection.]

GLC03791.017

14 December 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

Cranor reports his new location and that he is safely out of the line of battle. He complains about the cold weather and tells the story of a mutual acquaintance who had his nose shot off.

GLC03791.020

23 June 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent the day before and the continued good health of their brothers with him. He describes the location of regiment in relationship to Atlanta and the rail road tracks and expresses hope that they will be in possession of the railroad soon. He mentions the importance of having possession of the railroad tracks. Chester describes the methods of fortifying the rear of camp at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He reports of heavy casualties suffered by NY regiment and other MI regiments at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He describes preparation of rations. Chester…

GLC03955.01

4 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners.…

GLC03955.02

1865

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph document signed

Title: [contract for artificial limbs]

The distribution of artificial limbs for maimed soldiers is to be advertised by the U.S. Christian Commission's Board of Surgeons.

GLC00687.207

March 27, 1866

Condell, J., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George May Powell

He writes about delivery of an express package. He discusses model arms.

GLC00687.208

April 12, 1866

Truell, Edwin M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He would like a Condell Limbs circular.

GLC00687.210

April 13, 1866

Taylor, M. M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He refutes Williams's claim that the leg he ordered was burned and "violently destroyed" upon delivery. He wants repair and offers to pay for express shipping.

GLC00687.211

April 14, 1866

Brinkerhoff, Charlie, fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Condell

He lost his leg last August and would like a pamphlet of Cardell legs.

GLC00687.212

April 14, 1866

Burrill, James S., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George May Powell

He needs the arm he ordered and doesn't understand the lengthy wait. He is negotiating a contract with the local town to sell artificial limbs, with a store and a factory.

GLC00687.213

April 16, 1866

Smith, Hiram, fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He includes his measurements for a limb as well as a check for $75 for payment. He would like the limb as soon as possible.

GLC00687.214

April 19, 1866

Bowson, Lyman E., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He requests a circular of artificial limbs. He lost his right arm and knows several other people who also need limbs.

GLC00687.215

April 20, 1866

Brink, E.M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. F. Williams

He read the advertisement in the Independent and needs a more durable artificial leg. He would like a price.

GLC00687.216

April 20, 1866

Burrill, James S., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George May Powell

He requests a left arm to be sent by express. Letter partially printed.

GLC00687.217

April 23, 1866

Burrill, James S., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George May Powell

He reports that the committee was pleased with the exhibit of their artificial limbs. He described their competition from Georgia and the mechanics of their limb movement. The committee will wait to make their decision after seeing more exhibits. A member of the committee is a leading surgeon and a friend of George May Powell. The best form of advertisement is the New York Daily News with a large Southern circulation.

GLC00687.219

28 July 1864

Thompson, Nathan, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. Parrott

Thompson answers John's father's letter seeking details of John's death. Just before John was fatally wounded, Lieutenant Thompson suggested they move as shells "were flying thick about them" but John answered "it was a good as place as any...and at that minute he was struck by the shell that caused his death." John went home for a while but returned to Army and though he told Thompson he would not do active duty, Thompson suspects he could not resist joining his men in battle.

GLC03858.01.25