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Displaying results for Topic "African American Troops"

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19 November 1861

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Reports general news from home ("Aunt Emma is no better...."), inquires where they are likely to spend the winter, and again laments the Army's lack of action, although he commends the Navy: "Our naval expeditions are playing smart with them Sauf Cerolinians [sic]. I hope we will make them cry for mercy and then give them none."

GLC07687.112

2 December 1861

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Discusses the fine yield of c orn for th year, religious services, and the clergy. He reports more than 100,000 Union troops in Kentucky, and the anticipation of a great battle. Expresses dissappointment to find his son in "a Briggaded whose General has distinguished himself only in catching runaway slaves and returning them to do their Rebbel Masters, a most contemptible little business for any white man to do."

GLC07687.113

9 December 1861

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Explains that his plans to deliver clothing and blankets to Company F have been delayed until he receives another letter. Describes the participation of young people in a recent church service, and includes a list of those who have recently joined the church.

GLC07687.114

10 December 1861

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Replacing the S.W.V.'s current chaplain with a Mr. Woods. Mentions that his trip has been delayed once again, and describes health of various friends and family, and refers to the activities of the "Campbellites" (a religious group). Reports rumors of coming military conflict in Kentucky.

GLC07687.115

6 January 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Espresses regret at leaving his son, and reports reumor that "the troops at Romny [Romney] have to be in readyness [sic] to march at any moment that they had drawn 3 days provision, [and] also that the 2 batteries were to go"

GLC07687.116

8 January 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Details of journey home, including finding two acquaintances in a hospital near Grafton. Souls and the movements of Gen. Banks, although he expresses some doubt about the truth of the latter. Relates an incident near Cincinnati in which a soldier slipped and was killed while boarding a train.

GLC07687.117

January 20, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

"My faith in our Generals grows less day by day." Vannuys is angry that his son was forced to retreat due to what he considers ineptitude and self-interest on the part of Union commanders, particularly Banks.

GLC07687.118

January 25, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Recounts the latest news of the war, including two vistories in Kentucky ("the last one at or near Somersett"). Refers to mortgages, credit, and unfavorable prices: "....prices of everything is on the decline that the farmer has to sell, and what he has to buy just the opposite."

GLC07687.119

January 29, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Continued criticism of army officers for lack of action: "There is but one way to close this war in a hurry and that is let Congress reduce the pay of all officers to that of Privates, and if they resign put them in the ranks….[y]ou will hear nothing more of 'not ready' which in my opinion is nothing but a plea to fill their pockets with Uncle Sam's gold." Comments on the health of family members and the deaths of two soldiers, and mentions reaction the release of James M. Mason and John Slidell, who had been captured aboard the British steamer Trent.

GLC07687.120

January 31, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

A family gathering and the testing of new lamps at church. Also mentions Gen. Lander's retreat from Romney.

GLC07687.121

February 3, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Surprise visit from Uncle Charles Campbell, who had been seeing a sick soldier at Louisville. Dick Donnell has returned home, and reports "a vast amount of sickness among out troops." Donnell had met with a "reliable Gentleman, who assured him that the forward movement will not take place for two months to come." Vannuys laments "Can it be? Are our Sons, Brothers, Fathers to lie and rot with diseas[e] in our camps for two months? Can it be? Can it be?"

GLC07687.122

February 11, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Report of "a great amount of sickness in [Vannuys's] division," news that Gen. Lander is once again occupying Romney, and implications of the Union victory at Fort Henry, Tenn. Vannuys hopes in the wake of McClelland's appointment as Commander of the Army of the Potomac that Edwin Stanton will assume control of the Army, though he acknowledges "it is folly to put confidence in man." He advises his son to make immediate arrangements for the transport of his body home, in case he should die in battle or of disease.

GLC07687.123

February 16, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

News of Gen. Burnsides's capture of Roanoke Island and rumors of Union capture of Fort Donnelson. Describes recruiting efforts for the Mississippi Fleet, and strong sympathy for the Northern cause.

GLC07687.124

February 22, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

The weekly prayer meeting, confirmed victory at Fort Donnelson, preparations for the making of sugar and molasses at home, and unfavorable prices for farmers. Also describes a chance meeting with Squire Hendries, who was awaiting a dispatch from Cumberland regarding the condition of his son Abner. Abner's death was later confirmed.

GLC07687.125

February 27, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Describes the scene at home while he writes, including little Molly's current illness. Discusses the wedding of Kinney and Will LeGrange, work in the wheat field, and Molly's recovery.

GLC07687.126

4 March 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Health of family members and successful recruiting efforts in the area.

GLC07687.127

14 March 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

General news of home (health, family, weather, crops, etc.) Describes "a great battle in Arkansas" (Pea Ridge?), which involved the 18th Regiment. "It was a glorious victory. I suppose the infernal McCulla [Benjamin McCulloch] is dead at last." Describes Gen. Siegel's actions in the battle. Forty men from the 8th Ind. Regiment were killed, as was John A. Hendricks of the 22nd Indiana Regiment. Debates the implications of the rebel loss at Manassas against the strategy of the Union generals. One enclosed clipping, entitled "The Soldier's Trust," concerns the value of religious faith for…

GLC07687.128

17 March 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

"Stanton has is[s]ued an order forbidding the publishing of Army Movements," thus Vannuys confesses to being uninformed of current army activities. He suspects his son will go to Winchester, and does not believe there will be forward movement on the Potomac. Reports general news of health (SWV's mother is again very sick), crops, and the death of a man named Fisher.

GLC07687.129