circa August 1863

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: unknown

Bope writes possibly to his sister Eliza, probably from a camp in Virginia. Comments on the "...plundering and destruction..." of Ohio by Confederate General John Morgan who was captured on 26 July 1863 and imprisoned at Camp Chase, Ohio. Expresses hope that the Copperheads will come to their senses.

GLC03523.03.18

22 September 1863

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sr. and Lydia Bope

Bope writes to his parents from Catlett's Station. Expects a big fight in or near Gordonsville, Virginia. Says Union General George Meade will be there soon. Comments that Confederate General Robert E. Lee has 80,000 men. Expresses confidence they will "... whip lee if it is managed right." Mentions 30,000 new conscripts arriving. Discusses the upcoming election and his hope that John Brough will be the next Governor of Ohio.

GLC03523.03.19

29 August 1864

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lydia Bope

Bope writes to his mother from camp in Chattanooga. Letter is faded and almost illegible. Mentions Union General William T. Sherman's position outside Atlanta. Refers to Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and John Hood.

GLC03523.03.22

25 October 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp outside of Green River. Says they will go to Nashville next. Mentions that many soldiers from the Ohio 49th Infantry have deserted. Comments that there has been no fighting for him since Shiloh. Doesn't know where Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops are, but states that "...if they give us a chance at bragg we can whip them." Discusses the arrival of tents, and mentions the general good health of the 49th. Envelope has image and the slogan "Remember Ellsworth," who was a Union Colonel and the first casualty of the Civil War.

GLC03523.03.10

2 October 1863

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp outside Chattanooga after a fierce battle with Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops for control of Chattanooga. Praises the bravery of the Union soldiers despite being outnumbered. Describes the battle in detail. Discusses the upcoming election in Ohio.

GLC03523.03.13

25 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

The top edge of the letter has been cut resulting in the loss of some text. Wheeler writes that there has been some conflict amongst the officers of Co. C, primarily between Captain Fields and Lieut. Burst. As a result of this conflict, Colonel Dustin has been keeping a close eye on the officers and given them a warning. Relates that some fighting has been reported and it is said that Rosecrans has gathered 35,000 cavalry to attack the enemy. He writes however, that the truth of the event will be heard of in the newspapers. The company has received word that Morgan is seventy miles…

GLC07460.036

24 September 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Mentions rumors that Stonewall Jackson has been taken prisoner in Washington or that he has conquered Washington. Talks of gifts sent from home (one especially exciting was a piece of cheese.) In return, he sends a paper, Sunday Delta, home. Then, talks of the death of his fourth tent-mate, being paid again (now having saved up $100), and the resignation of General John Wolcott Phelps ("we all feel as if we had lost a friend.")

GLC02165.10

5 September 1862

Holly, William H., ?-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ann Davis

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Expresses boredom at the monotony of life. Describes an incident in which Confederate soldiers escorted under a flag of truce the wife of General John Bullock Clark, who had been taken prisoner, so that she could nurse her husband. Contrasts treatment of Mrs. Clark to the treatment of the Union's General Robert Latimer McCook. Talks of letters received from friends, and the death of an L. Smith, who was "prepared [I] think for death" but laments the death of so many men in the "wicked war." Expresses hope that he and friend William will remain far from…

GLC02165.11

19 July 1863

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Written at camp near Winchester, Tennessee. He writes that he waited up rather late for her letter and that he received two papers from Henry Clark. The smell of the flower and cinnamon she enclosed in the letter reminded him of her. Writes that the smell also reminds him of his mother. He hopes that he receives some letters from his friends. He is also glad that his brother-in-law writes to him. Writes that in the event of his death she should take all of his effects. Around midnight on 4 July the bugle sounded and the troops were ordered to be ready to march by three in the morning. He…

GLC03523.42.25

23 April 1865

Stark, Lydia, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her brother

Writes that the day is cold. There was a funeral service at the old church for Lieutenant Border. Lieutenant Border's family was there as well and they were all very distraught. Writes that she has received his letter from Huntsville, Alabama but expected that he would have written her from Illinois. Asks if he thinks he will have a hand in taking Richmond, Virginia or going after Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Hopes that when General William T. Sherman catches Johnston that he will not "let him off easy." Compares the rebels with the children from the story "The Woman Who Lived in a…

GLC03523.42.56

24 March 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

He is glad to hear that Emma is doing well. He writes that he is doing well also. Once he arrived in Washington, D.C. he is unsure of what the army's next move will be. On the march from Charlestown, Maryland to Berryville, Virginia there was a great amount of rain and the roads became extremely muddy. Once the Union Army arrived in Berryville they drove off the rebels there by firing their artillery. The troops had no tents and had to sleep on the cold ground while it rained. They also had no fires as the rebels were close by. The troops expected an attack at night but none came. In the…

GLC03523.42.09

13 May 1862 - 15 May 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W

Writes that by keeping in contact with home the soldiers and those they left at home feel better. Explains the anguish felt while waiting to hear from loved ones or friends after a battle. Hopes that General Ulysses S. Grant will "hurry affairs" in Tennessee. Hopes that the Union will soon liberate their fellow soldiers in the rebel capital Richmond, Virginia. Wants to see Confederate President Jefferson Davis defeated. States that the rebel leaders should get the "rewards of treason." Writes that it is doubtful the rebels will get such a treatment as the people in Washington, D.C. will most…

GLC03523.42.11

21 May 1865 - 22 May 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at Cloud's Mill near Alexandria, Virginia. His regiment passed through Richmond, Virginia on 10 and 11 May. They marched through the principal streets in column formation. Union Army Chief of Staff Henry Halleck did not receive them and General William T. Sherman did not want them reviewed without his consent and told Halleck this. Halleck responded by stating he had not "made up his mind to let us go through the city." Sherman replied that he would go through the city if he had to "do it by fighting." They comforted themselves knowing that only "a few more days" were left and they…

GLC07460.120

6 December 1862

Fuller, Franklin W., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Writes that Hayden is getting better and that his own health is improving daily. He is able to walk much better as well and thinks that he can start to march again soon. States that he will not leave Hayden until he is better or forced to do so. The plan from his previous letter was "given up" and Hayden came down with rheumatism the next day. Explains to her the various reasons why his plan would not have worked. He is very worried about Hayden as every time he manages to get over one sickness another one takes its place. However, since the doctor is unsure what is wrong with Hayden he…

GLC03523.42.19

9 November 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near Chattahoochee Bridge in Georgia. He has recently received his family's letter of 30 October and is glad to hear that everyone at home is doing well. Writes that the army is going to leave their camp tomorrow morning. He reports that as recently as two hours ago there was some cannon fire from Atlanta, Georgia. At first the troops did not know why there was firing. They thought that the cannon fire was in celebration of the election, however, it turns out that the Confederate General Joseph Wheeler has been making raids on Atlanta. He has not received any details as to the…

GLC07460.107

13 April 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that his health is very good and mail leaves Raleigh, North Carolina for Goldsboro, North Carolina by rail. They have received the great news that Richmond, Virginia has been captured along with General Robert E. Lee's army. The camp cheered upon hearing the news. They are hopefully that General Joseph E. Johnston will soon surrender. When they marched out from Goldsboro it was very rainy and muddy. Writes that many men fell out of the march and even one man from the 70th dropped dead. He states that the regiment received news of Lee's surrender on 12 April. The advanced units of the…

GLC07460.119

19 June 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Haines Bluff, Mississippi to his wife. He is outside of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses S. Grant is laying siege to the city because attempting to storm it would most likely cause a great loss of life and would most likely fail. There have been reports that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston is somewhere on the Black River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A Confederate deserter reported that there are 24,000 troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi but only 15,000 are fit for duty and that the troops in the city have very little to…

GLC03523.13.102

3 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that one of his teeth has decayed because of the hard tack and tough beef he has been eating. Part of Atlanta, Georgia has been occupied by the Union Army thanks to General William T. Sherman's "last grand move." Sherman's main army is still 25 to 30 miles away and that Confederate General John Bell Hood's army is divided in the center. At night he heard noises that sounded like cannonading of Atlanta but it turned out to be the rebels destroying their own magazines and military stores. Writes that during the siege Atlanta was surrounded…

GLC07460.096

14 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He has not received any mail dated before 12 September for ten days as the rebel attacks have disrupted the mail service. He thinks that a rebel named Wheeler is to blame for all of the attacks. He wonders if there is any relation between him and the rebel. It has been over two years and he thought the rebellion would have been stopped by now but the fight continues on. Writes that if the North had a unified front and had there been no copperheads the war would be over. He hopes that the Republican Party will get Abraham Lincoln elected again.…

GLC07460.100

4 October 1864 - 11 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He is writing despite the fact that no mail has been coming in or out because the rebels have cut their line of communication. There are various reports as to the location of Confederate General Joseph Bell Hood's army. He assumes it is in their rear, however, a Union army is advancing upon the rear of the Confederates. The entire Union army, except the 20th Corps. left behind in Atlanta, Georgia, is turning to meet General Hood. The rest of the brigade has left Atlanta and have returned to camp. The Union General William T. Sherman is…

GLC07460.102

16 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. The line of communication have once again been opened. The mail came in all last night and he received three letters from Martha. He is sorry to hear that Johnny Burst [?] is not doing any better. He wishes he could help Johnny to feel better even though he knows he cannot. Asks for a good pair of boots and some shoe nails. He does not need his shirts from home as the clothing he left at the previous camp has arrived. Thinks that the regiment might stay at camp for a while as there have been reports that General William T. Sherman has been "…

GLC07460.103

15 September 1862

Burnett, Henry C., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jefferson Davis

" You will pleasure me for again calling your attention to the fact that General Breckinridge has not been ordered to Kenty. His presence at this particular juncture in any state, I regard of the highest importance; our friends in that state have in him the utmost confidence, he is known for his moderation and prudence and in the organization of a State Govt and taking such other steps as may be necessary to place the State actively and permanently on our side...

GLC09172

10 May 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Believes that the rebel forces at Kinston, North Carolina have moved to assist Lee in suppressing the advancement of the Grand Army of the Potomac. He has heard news that the rebels have "held their ground" in two days of fighting and have captured 5,000 prisoners. Writes "we have just begun to see the rough side of war" and relays the stories of two Southern families whose homes were taken over by Union soldiers and were forced out. Reports that there is rumor of General Hooker re-crossing the Rappahannock River with greater loss than General Burnside. Expresses his concern of the effect…

GLC02016.032

26 September 1863

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Describes riding on the steamer Thos. Collyer and the pleasure of feeling a cool breeze after being in the hot and dirty streets of New Berne. Also wishes that his Aunt and sister Anna could be with him. Reports of rumors that Longstreet is going to attack New Bern. Feels that Longstreet will be no more successful than A.P. Hill. Believes that if any activity occurs, it will be in Wilmington. Hopes that the Army of the Potomac gets some action during the current good weather. Reports that the health of the company is slowly…

GLC02016.041

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