29 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he is anxious to receive a letter from Darius assuring that he arrived home safely. Wheeler expresses tremendous relief for the discharge of his brother-in-law and writes that Darius was very concerned about leaving Lysander behind. Reports that [Confederate General John Hunt Morgan] has not come after them yet and that they are currently building a fort should he attack. Writes that there has been no mail for three or four days due to torn up tracks. Requests that he be sent pepper, saleratus (salt), a bottle of ink, and some tea.

GLC07460.009

21 April 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written from camp near Dalton, Georgia. Asks if she can visit him at camp. Complains about the unusual cold weather and writes that men are living quite poorly as everything has become too expensive. Updates his sister on Miss Tillie and Kate Cook. On the verso of the letter he includes a short note "I would write more but can't write without tobacco and I have none or money to buy it."

GLC02232.31

28 July 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Writes to his sister. Comments on how happy he and the boys were to learn of General John Pemberton's surrender. Discusses various people and news from back home. Mentions that he is on duty every other day.

GLC03523.32.19

21 October 1863

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

Describes leaving Rappahannock and having the rebels close on their heels. Says that the rebels continued to follow them until they crossed the river. Writes that they were not able to cross back over the river until the next evening. They sent the cavalry out and were able to chase the rebels back to Culpepper and "made them skedaddle for dear life." Afterwards, they crossed the river again and continued their march to Fairfax, Virginia. The rebels followed closely behind them up to Bull Run. The rebels managed to plant a battery half a mile from them without being discovered and…

GLC03523.49.14

February 15, 1861-1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D. G. Tracy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont, Virginia. Describes being court marshaled and how the hearing was adjourned until next Thursday. Comments that Forrest has had a long "siege of it," and there is no prospect of it ending until next Thursday. Reports that Fort Donelson was just captured and a lot of prisoners taken. Among the prisoners was the notorious traitor, [Sue] Floyd. Speaks of the captain yelling and swearing at people all the time. Says that he tried to get a furlough to come home but was denied. Writes that that he is sending $46 home and hopes to send $1000 over the…

GLC03523.49.15

circa June 1, 1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister and parents

Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Frémont. Comments about General Ord being their old Brigade General and that everyone hated to see him leave. Writes that he sent home a new dress coat and $18. The letter is dated 1 June but a year is not given.

GLC03523.49.16

February 11, 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs wife that he is not well, says he has a bad cold and dysentery. Comments that he was able to march everyday carrying his gun while sick but could not carry his knapsack. The doctor had it carried in his wagon. Writes that he does not have any money to give her and informs her to send a man named Pete to Ashland, Ohio to get money. Tells her to be careful with money and to send him a list with the cost of groceries and feed. Believes that they will fight against General Simon Buckner in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "…

GLC03523.50.08

19 May 1864

Sayles, Nelson, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his cousin

Reports that they just returned from a scout where they were looking for "old forest" (General Nathan Bedford Forrest). Comments that they were close but he ran like a "white rabbit." Describes following General Nathan Forrest for 80 miles down into Mississippi then back up to Memphis, Tennessee. Discusses the war and what a great job General Ulysses Grant is doing in Richmond, Virginia.

GLC03523.32.34

2 December 1864

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Mentions that he sent $50 home. Writes that they are building breastworks in case General John Hood attacks them. Comments that the general will receive a warm reception if he attacks for they have a large force of men and artillery. Teases about his health being affected because of a lady named Mill not writing him. Reports that the detachment that was with General William T. Sherman is now with them at their camp. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.40

3 August 1861

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Further problems getting troops there, because of the "difficulty between the Pres [Davis] & Genl [Brown]. It is to be hoped however, the country will not be permitted to suffer by a disagreement between these two distinguished gentlemen, both worthy the confidence of their countrymen." Richmond is "a very gay place at present because of the influx of strangers. The equestrian statue of Washington in the public grounds, is perhaps the finest in the world...Troops continue to pour in here. I presume we shall have some more terrific fighting before long. Great preparations are being made…

GLC02691.11.013

January 15, 1863

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph document signed

Title: [Notice granting permission for Miller A. Wright to return to camp]

Notice granting permission for Miller A. Wright of General Jackson's Division to return to the camp and leave by railroad. Lee signs as post commander. George Washington Custis Lee, a son of Robert E. Lee, graduated first in his class from West Point in 1850. At the outset of the Civil War, he was commissioned captain in the CSA Corps of Engineers (July 1, 1861), was promoted to colonel and served as adc to Jefferson Davis (August 31, 1861), promoted to brigadier general PACS (June 25, 1863) and then to major general PACS (October 20, 1864).

GLC02691.11.033

28 July 1863

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to Miller A. Wright]

Written from Headquarters, Military Post, Atlanta, Georgia. Lee informs the recipient of the letter [probably Miller] that he can receive his pay at the post at which he is stationed.

GLC02691.11.042

1 August 1863

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [George Washington Custis Lee endorsement on letter from F. Glackmeyer]

Written on F. Glackmeyer Autograph Letter Signed to Col. G.W. Lee. Mr. Glackmeyer was a special agent in the post office department. He is writing Col. Lee to inform him of a recent series of postal crimes. A soldier by the name of Guttenberger was found to have been using his position as a military guard on the Macon and Western Railroad to transport newspapers free of postal charge, which he subsequently sold to newsboys at the end of the line, turning an exceptional profit. Because the man was a soldier, Mr. Glackmeyer chose to inform an army officer of the circumstances, rather than…

GLC02691.11.043

January 13, 1864

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Miller's assistance is needed for a military matter.

GLC02691.11.051

January 14, 1863

Higdon, John B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Higdon was an officer in the same company as Miller A. Wright. John informs Miller of the latest news of the regiment. Three men were caught trying to desert, and he is trying to get his troops ordered back to Georgia. He expresses frustration with Virginia, and Jackson's army. "I am heartily tired of this State service...I am willing to go anywhere so that we leave Jackson's Army, and Virginia...." Mentions another two men arrested and states "I would not be surprised if they were not shot."

GLC02691.11.032

23 June 1863

Pryerley, Jake, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Pryerley is marching a small band of convalescents from Richmond under his care to their division. They are to be armed in order to fight bushwhackers along the way. "Genl Ewells Hd. Qrs. is in Sharpsburg Md. a part of his corps was last Sunday morning in Chambersburg, Pa. making preperations [sic] to fire the town. Our Brigade done the principal part of the fighting at Winchester...Genl Ewell has so far proved himself to be as good if not better than Genl. Jackson...." Discusses capturing batteries and suggests that Miller's company should get a battery through his father's influence with…

GLC02691.11.039

4 November 1863

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Vermilion Bayou to a friend. Describes reading Mary's letters on the march, and the expansive plantation of a Rebel General "Moota" (perhaps General Alfred Mouton), commenting "you can imagine how things will look here in a day or two, not a fence will be left, nor hardly a building will be left to mark the spot..." Continues, empathizing with th Confederates--"I cannot blame them Rebels for holding out and fighting to the last extremity when I see such destruction taking place and I can imagine how I shall feel if my home should be stripped of everything." Describes the guerrilla…

GLC02165.15

27 May 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Ward writes that they will be moving from Corinth soon, as the enemy is too close to the Tennessee River and Beauregard doesn't have room for strategic operations in Corinth. He complains of skirmishing with enemy pickets and being in the cold rain without any blankets, food, or sleep. Writes that every time the men go out on picket, they say goodbye to their friends. Reports that he expected to be promoted but still remains a non-commissioned officer. He fears that communication with his family in Memphis and Port Gibson will soon be cut off and would like photographs of his sisters. He…

GLC02232.06

11 July 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that some letters he sent to his father were confiscated and later returned to him by General Grant. He laments that General Clarke has been reassigned and writes that "there was never a general so beloved by his troops." Explains that his company has every Saturday to clean up camp, and do the wash and other chores "like negroes" do. He jokingly admits that the men are better at playing poker on Saturdays. Ward is anxious to see girls again and is still resolved to marry. Discusses his feelings on women and marrying and warns his sister to never be "green enough" to let someone…

GLC02232.09

1 June 1862

Ubil, Frederick, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Writes to a friend. Discusses working four miles from Delaware City and having beer and sweet cakes. Enjoys living in Delaware City and going out every Saturday night. Comments "they are the old time democrats true to the union and they think everything that is not for the union is fools…" States they went fishing for "cessesion hering" with "mules tales in their mouths." Mentions that "the old gentleman" heard General Nathaniel Banks was chased into Maryland. Reports that General George B. McClellan took Richmond, Virginia; Corinth, Mississippi was evacuated; and Memphis, Tennessee…

GLC03523.43.01

15 October 1864

Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when working all night, time and a half when working on a Sabbath, and after three months will receive free transportation home. Writes that they are putting up a stationary engine in the south part of town. Reports that the Confederate "Jonies" are about twenty miles from them, between them and Atlanta, Georgia. Comments that they expect the…

GLC03523.43.15

28 September 1863

Kessler, Samuel, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Describes the "great battle" [the Battle of Chickamauga] that is taking place. Notes his regiment has been in the battle since the beginning. Writes they fell back five miles and have been fortifying ever since. Notes that the rebels, who are commanded by General Braxton Bragg, have reinforced and now outnumber them three to one. Comments that the Confederates are in front of them and will try to push them into the Louisiana River but believe they are too well fortified for that to happen. Reports on the death toll and wounded soldiers.

GLC03523.52.14

21 April 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Informs them he received marching orders for tomorrow. Relays a rumor that General Robert E. Lee may be heading towards Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and they may head there too. Notes he sent a trunk of clothes home so he would not have to haul them. Discusses that his band made an appeal to the Secretary of War. Comments he is very discouraged and wants an honorable discharge. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.50

January 20, 1865

Cody, D. C., fl. 1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Special order No. 9]

Orders for Sergeant Claig [possibly Craig or William Clegg] to report to Major Rawle for duty. Commanded by Brigadier General Evans [likely Nathan G. Evans or Clement A. Evans]. Stamped, "TRANSPORTATION FURNISHED FROM RALEIGH, N.C..."

GLC03133.07

February 2, 1864

Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

Autograph document signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Special Order No. 33H2 for Miller A. Wright. Orders to proceed to various counties to arrest deserters. Possibly cross-signed.

GLC02691.11.052