25 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes about Capt. Fields' visit to Sycamore, where Wheeler's family lives. He complains about Fields' multiple absences without leave and feels that the lieutenants are working against him. Asks that his family not tell anyone about Fields' predicament. He also mentions a convention of copperheads in Indianapolis in which some soldiers were wounded. He hopes that the draft goes on in the North and is anxious to fight copperheads. Writes that he believes copperheads in southern Illinois and Indiana will resist the draft. In a note dated May 27th, Wheeler writes about grading the banks…

GLC07460.031

2 April 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point Hospital, City Point, Virginia. Discusses helping to care for the wounded soldiers after a brief illness: "...I am very grateful that I was afflicted in that way. I think it is a great deal better than to have a bullet put through you..." Makes reference to the taking of Petersburg and the possible surrender of the South. Gives advice regarding one of their sick children, the children's schooling and management of household chores. Describes food rations. The letter is slightly faded, especially at the creases. On letterhead of the "United States…

GLC03523.06.05

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near City Point, Virginia. Reports that he has been in the hospital with rheumatism and is pleased with his care. Informs he is doing picket duty on the Appomattox River and mentions seeing Rebels. Wishes for a furlough, but knows only wounded men will get one. Advises his daughter Eunice to stay home to study and help her mother. In a postscript, writes he is sending his badge in the letter, "so in case we are wounded or killed they will know to what corps we belong to." A double sided page of the letter is in three pieces. A few lines are missing.

GLC03523.06.10

5 September 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Camp Verplanks Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Writes, "Captain Reiley [possibly John Reily] of the Invalid regiment tried the 30th ultimo by the General Court martial of which Colo. M [possibly Michael] Jackson is president is acquitted and released from his arrest. The Invalid regiment will furnish a Captain to Sit as Member of the General Court martial of which Colo. M. Jackson is president vice Captain Story of the 8 Massa. regiment indisposed. Extract from General Orders." May be the extract of orders referred to in GLC02437.01579.

GLC02437.01580

7 September 1782-8 September 1782

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

Autograph document signed

Title: [General orders]

Written from Head Quarters Verplanks Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. "Public" is written above the address. Includes "Extracts from Genl. Orders" for two days, 7 and 8 September. The extract from 7 September states, "Lieutenant Osgood Carleton of the Invalid Regiment is appointed Quarter Master to the same vice Lieutenant [William] Honeyman who assigns that office." The extract from 8 September states, "A court of enquiry of which Colonel [Benjamin] Tupper was President sat at West Point by a Garrison order of the 4th instant to enquire into the sufficiency of the reasons alledged…

GLC02437.01587

9 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Written from "Head Quarters." Writes, "I would ever wish to pay proper attention to the business of Ladies, but without I am acquainted with the Resolve of the 6 July 1779 in [favor?] of Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin, I cannot tell what it is she wants - We have not the Resolves of that date with us." See GLC02437.01591, GLC02437.01595, and GLC02437.01611 for related information.

GLC02437.01591

10 September 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman

Writes that it is not in his power to send him Congress's resolve of 6 July 1779, concerning Margaret Corbin. Explains that her case is "peculiar": "Her husband and son killed and herself wounded in the services, were misfortunes of so aggravated as justly rendered her worthy of public attention." Congress has provided her with "a complete ration per day, and half pay for life," which Colonel [Lewis] Nicola helped her apply for, but she has received very little of the rations and pay she deserves. Explains that "[h]er present application is in consequence of the rum or whiskey which…

GLC02437.01595

11 September 1782

Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Shaw

Writes, "It appears clearly to me that the order forbidding the issue of Rum to Women does not extend to Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin - Granting provision at all, to Women who are followers of the Army, is altogether matter of courtesy, and therefore the commanding General may allow them such a Ration as he thinks proper - But Mrs. Corbin is a pensioner of Congress, and therefore, upon procuring the Resolve made in her favor - Genl. [Henry] Knox, as commandant, may direct the Contractor to commute her Retained Rations of liquor - perhaps it would not be prudent to give them to her all in liquor -…

GLC02437.01597

5 October 1782

Manuscript document

Title: Return of non commisioned officers & privates in the Corps of Invalids

Number of officers and privates, sorted by fitness for duty and location. With an annotation in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.01644

19 August 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from a camp in Battle Creek. Inquires about drafting in Ohio and complains of being sick. States he does not want to be discharged due to his lame arm unless he becomes totally disabled. Reports the troops are happy with the return of Colonel William Gibson.

GLC03523.03.08

17 November 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father mentioning that Union General William Rosencrans has taken over his division. Informs him of their march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the skirmishes along the way. Mentions that a member of Company "D" accidentally shot himself in the foot. Complains he cannot get boots large enough and goes barefoot much of the time. Asks him to send a pair along with apple butter and butter. Envelope has image of Union flag.

GLC03523.03.11

February 23, 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 shall ever spend in Ct. with you." Talks of writing letters for soldiers in his company who are ill with measles or in the hospital. Jokes with some hints of jealousy that his friend went sleighing with a man named John. Then, describes part of the journey his company will take by railroad and steamboat, stopping at Fort Monroe (in Virginia).…

GLC02165.03

29 May 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, notes he would not like to return home until he can do so "for good." Discusses heat, flies/mosquitoes, and the manner in which troops can trade rations for fruit in season. Finally, the war is taking a toll when he says, "I am getting tired of this life which I am leading. It is so monotonous, every day a like, and I shall be glad when this war…

GLC02165.05

31 July 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Winchester, Tennessee. He will try and send a letter home with a lieutenant who is trying to receive a furlough. Writes that he is surprised she is not getting some of his letters as he has received all of hers. He is very upset that she has not been receiving his letters as he knows that she is very anxious about hearing from him. Writes that the flower she sent him is now in his diary and whenever he opens the book he is reminded of her. He is sorry to hear that Fred has been wounded.

GLC03523.42.26

30 June 1864 - 3 August 1864

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and relatives and Mary

A series of short diary-like entries for the past few days. There are also three pencil sketches: one of Buffalo Spring at Catoosa Springs, Georgia; another of a bridge at Catoosa Springs; the third is a drawing of a tree. There was no activity until Monday when the Confederates began to shell the Union lines "vigorously." But the damage was light killing a mule and wounding one soldier. Writes that the shelling did not improve the taste of the coffee and made supper difficult to get. There was a letter in the "Freeport Journal" about the death of one of his friends. He has been thinking…

GLC03523.42.50

19 August 1861

Clark, Hank S., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Washington

Written at camp near Rolla, Missouri. Writes that is he sorry that Franklin Fuller's army was so "knocked up." He states that he cannot complain because things have not been bad in Missouri. The officers refused to move until they had been paid and received rifles. When they received word that General Nathaniel Lyon had been killed, the men were ready to go on the condition that Major General John C. Fremont provide rifles and money. According to Clark, General Fremont did not have enough money so used money from his "own pocket and took the government as security for it." He thinks there is…

GLC03523.42.04

11 June 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Signed by Frederick. Written at camp near the Battle of Fair Oaks [Seven Pines] in Henrico County, Virginia. Writes that Mr. Foss is in the camp with him but he arrived after the battle. Explains that the rebels tried to shell them out of their position but that his section did not see many cannonballs. During the battle they had about 40 wounded and "some" killed. Thinks that there will be a great battle before the Union Army gets to Richmond, Virginia. Writes that the troops sleep with their equipment on and have to get up at three A.M. to form a line of battle. He feels unsure about her…

GLC03523.42.13

12 March 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

The Union 14th Corps. captured Fayetteville, North Carolina yesterday. They are now encamped there along with the 20th, 15th, and 17th Corps. On 2 February his regiment had a "brisk" skirmish with Confederates near Lawtonville, South Carolina. They suffered only eight wounded and they are all doing well, none of the wounded were the Sycamore men. They have had a severe and tedious march but they are doing well. He expects that will move on to Goldsboro, North Carolina next. The Union raids have been "gigantic" destroying as much as possible including buildings, cotton, and other provisions.…

GLC07460.114

27 March 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he is doing well and that the regiment is starting to receive a regular mail service. Since leaving Fayetteville, North Carolina there have been some hard fights. On 16 March their division and the First Division of the Corps. bore the brunt of the engagement with the Confederates. He reports that they charged into their works and captured three brass cannons. There were many dead and wounded as well as prisoners taken by the Union. One rebel prisoner stated that there was a 25,000 man brigade to their front. Writes that both sides suffered heavy losses. The rebels put up a…

GLC07460.115

circa 1861-1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes that General Ward is commander of their division. He is in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the 11th Army Corps. commanded by General Harvard [?] Harrison, who is a nephew of former United States President William Henry Harrison. Colonel Dustan does not like this and is trying to get the regiment enlisted as veterans. He has not re-enlisted yet as no one is sure if the regiment will go home on a furlough. Asks for a few items from home and writes that he has received a letter from his friend as well. He has yet to receive even a mark upon his face and tells the recipient[s] not to…

GLC07460.123

9 April 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky. Worries that he and many of the other officers in the regiment will not be paid for two months. As soon as he receives his commission from home he will ask for a leave of absence. He writes that he is mad at his wife for riding with Mr. Palmer and will discuss the matter with her when he comes home. There are reports that Charleston, South Carolina has been captured by Union forces. Writes that the army is advancing rapidly and that deserters are returning to the regiments. He thinks that the army will gain 100,000 men…

GLC03523.13.091

16-17 April 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Lebanon, Kentucky. He was very glad to receive her portrait but he was upset to hear that she had such poor things to say about her friends. Suggests that his wife finds another place to live if her friends continue to treat her so poorly. He does not think he will be able to come home soon and will be away until the first of June. Asked several of his superior officers if he could go home for a while and they all said no. He would like to be promoted once more before the war is over, but they are not expecting any battles soon. Reports…

GLC03523.13.093

11 May 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Anna

Reports that the company landed at City Point on the evening of 5 May and started towards Petersburg early the next day. There was some fighting between Confederate and Union forces consisting of 9th New Jersey and 27th Massachusetts. The following day Confederate forces attacked Painter's picket during the night of which all but eleven were killed and wounded. The soldiers were once again met with battle on Monday the 9 May. The following morning they advanced to the Petersburg and Richmond railroad of which they tore up a large part; fighting resumed and positions were held until 6 pm…

GLC02016.051

26 May 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes that the rebels keep the Union lines surrounded so much that when the sharpshooters watch from the trees they shoot every time they see a shoulder strap. As a result, one man was killed in his tent and another wounded. Reports that some skirmishing occurred. Also reports that Colonel Dutton of the 21st Connecticut was seriously wounded while taking a survey of rebel works. Writes that the colonel is a highly regarded man amongst the soldiers. Believes that Butler will not be able to make any moves until Grant is able to reinforce him or has driven Lee into Richmond. States that…

GLC02016.052

May 1864

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). He writes that he is stiff and sore from a seventeen-mile march from Cold Harbor to Whitehouse. Updates his aunt on the locations of the various corps. Reports on rumors that the 18th corps will be going back to Bermuda Hundred and the rest will be making another one of Grant's flanks towards the north bank of the James River. the men were met by calls and taunts from the enemy and responded with "volies of musketry, grape, camister, and shrapinel." Is looking forward to moving to a new camp, possibly in the North or South of the…

GLC02016.053