[ca. 1868-1876]

Photograph

Title: Ulysses S. Grant Carte de visite

White mount with clipped corners and printed caption below image: "Gen. U.S. Grant." Oval half length seated portrait in civilian dress with White House visible in background. Photograph from engraving.

GLC07808.031

27 March 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has sent a sample of his hair. Sadly he had to have his mustache cut off. If Burnsides' expedition does well, all the New England batteries will go with him.

GLC02161.116

14 May 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman R. Dewey

A dispatch from Grant came saying he had taken Johnson's whole division. One of the batteries from Camp Barry was lost but then retaken by the 13th division. He is afraid Charley will have a hand in the fighting.

GLC02161.126

28 May 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

Yesterday the whole command except for one division was ordered to embark to reinforce Grant. Gen. Lee assumes he will save Richmond. No one really likes Butler, the commanding officer.

GLC02161.129

4 July 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He feels sorry for Burns. All the old officers are gone from the old 5th. The new ones are strangers. The captain of his old company has been dismissed.

GLC02161.133

20 July 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

The 19th corps from N. Orleans have been pressing up the river for the last couple of days. If Sherman gets Atlantis, they should have some real fighting ahead of them.

GLC02161.135

31 August 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is kind of sick. He sent a photograph of Gen. Binney.

GLC02161.139

18 September 1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has someone else in mind for president. Someone who takes the bull by the horn. Someone like Sherman. He knows the war is coming to an end soon. He saw Charley recently.

GLC02161.140

1864

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Diary

Title: [1864 diary]

In April, he notes that he does not like working under Butler which corresponds to one of his letters. In May he describes some very animated fighting occurring near their pickets. Later on the 28th he gives details of Henry's (a fellow soldier) death which he only alludes to in a letter. In the last entry he wonders when he will hear from Cassie, a common complaint throughout the letters. Includes 4 cards.

GLC02161.146

1861

Buttre, John Chester, 1821-1893

Engraving

Title: Generals of Our Army 1861

One engraving entitled "Generals Of Our Army 1861" dated 1861. Portraits of Major General George B. McClellan, Major General Benjamin Franklin Butler, Major General John Adams Dix, Major General John Charles Frémont, Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, Brigadier General Robert Anderson, Major General John Elias Wool, and Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. Engraved by John Chester Buttre.

GLC08878.0117

10 October 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents]

Writes that he is seven miles south of Bardstown and the rebels fled before the company arrived. Reports that General Thomas' division had a skirmish the day before yesterday. Writes that Buell is hated by his men.

GLC06728.025

2 November 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he is near Cave City six miles East of Mammoth Cave. He was finally given a tent to sleep in after a month of being tentless. Describes the recent battle of Perryville as "the heaviest storm ever I saw or heard." Some of the men of Weeks' company were arrested for exchanging guns. Writes that he doesn't know if he killed someone during battle and doesn't care to know. Reports that Buell has been removed and Rosecrans now has control of the army.

GLC06728.029

16 November 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that the soldiers prefer Rosecrans to Buell. Reports that General Gilbert was arrested at Perryville. Continues to write about the battle of Perryville, which has led him to believe that rebels are not cowards but "brave as yankees dare to be." Points out that many of the dead and wounded were barefoot. Also writes that the company was armed with minnie rifles, the best in the service.

GLC06728.030

20 November 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that General Negley is in command of the post. He has five months of pay overdue and does not know when he will get paid. Has heard from Holden who is not expected to live long. Reports that five men in the company have been killed.

GLC06728.031

22 November 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that soldiers are living in the state house in Tennessee, which is a "splendid piece of workmanship." However, the soldiers are not respectful of the building and keep it dirty at all times. Writes that the men are able to buy anything they need with Secesh script (currency). Reports that he has not seen the 101st whose division is commanded by Jeff C. Davis (the Davis that shot Nelson). Includes a short letter written the next day. Writes that he will not get paid before the first of January. He would like some news on the Eastern army.

GLC06728.032

January 15, 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that his wound is doing better. The main part of the army is about two miles south of Murfreesboro and the rebels are far ahead of them. States that his company has lost more men in the three battles (Pea Ridge, Perryville, Murfreesboro) than any other company in the regiment. Of forty-six men, twenty-seven have been killed and wounded. Writes that the regiment has suffered greatly because Johnson's and Davis' division fell back which gave the rebels an opportunity to cross fire.

GLC06728.035

16 May 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Has been on picket duty for six days. Writes that "contraniggers" and deserters are coming in fast and wishes his father "had a couple pigs to call him massa." Reports that he has seen some friends. Mentions "Hooker's -----" and explains that the latter term will be used until better informed. Writes that many of the prisoners that went to Richmond are exchanged and returning to their regiments.

GLC06728.046

17 May 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he has little duty to do except for picket duty. Comments on Hooker and states " I think I can see Hooker dying the same death as did Burnside and Little Mac." Discusses the Missouri compromise and abolition. Accuses his father of being a "radical abolitionist". Writes that he received a paper from his sister Sarah Ann a few days ago.

GLC06728.047

31 May 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Writes that the company may have to move if Bragg weakens his force to reinforce the Vicksburg army. Reports the papers have erroneously reported that the company had marching orders. Includes a letter written on the following day. Writes that the town of Murfreesboro is "encircled with fortifications and the siege guns bid defiance to Secessia". Also writes that Rosecrans or "Old Rosie" is pressing confiscated soldiers into service. He has orders for a regimental inspection, so he cannot write a long letter. Mentions a letter he received from an unknown person in which "vile slang in…

GLC06728.048

22 June 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that the paroled men were ordered to report to General Rosecrans on the 15th of June, but they reported on the 17th instead and were sent off. Is enjoying Camp Chase, as it is very pleasant and near the woods. Writes that the farther north he travels the more he is excited about rebel raids in the north. Also writes that the people north of the river do more fighting with their tongues than with their muskets. Has heard that Morgan was coming up to Indiana. Went to visit the 101st but most of the soldiers were on picket. His friends Mordoff and Cook were there but Mordoff was not…

GLC06728.049

22 July 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Has found a place to board and hopes to be played soon. Offers his pay to his parents but states that if they have no use for it, he will offer it to other soldiers who will not get paid this time. Writes that he may be able to get furlough but is not sure if it is advisable. He hopes to "be free from uncle Sam's clutches" within a year. Believes that Grant will win more victories before the end of the summer campaign. Describes camp to his parents. Writes that he has been elected editor for the camp newspaper The Benton Banner, and will send the first issue to his sister Marietta.…

GLC06728.051

28 October 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he came back to camp to find that the men were living on half rations of hard tack and beef with no other food. Explains that the short rations are due to the limitations of transporting provisions. Reports that four soldiers were killed and some are missing. Also reports that only two hundred soldiers were mustered, fifty of which are sick. Writes that he can see the rebel camp from his camp. An agreement has been made between Union and Confederate pickets to not bother each other. Writes that the pickets have been exchanging papers, but the practice has now been prohibited…

GLC06728.057

5 November 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Complains about the reduced rations of food. Reports that the rebels still hold Lookout Mountain but the breastworks are substantial enough that the rebels would be defeated. Writes that General Osterhaus is in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Continues to write about the lack of food. The soldiers contemplated eating some mule meat, but were able to get some hard tack and sow belly to appease their hunger. Mentions the exemption law and hopes that it is repealed by January of 1864. Advises that a friend not move to the West as "the conveniences he will find in the West he will find as many…

GLC06728.058

22 December 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Has been too busy marching and hasn't had a chance to write. Reports that General Granger's corps and Wood's and Sheridan's divisions are there. Is expecting Longstreet to get to Virginia as fast as possible. Hopes to take Richmond before leaving the service. Encloses a Masonic badge found in Decatur during a march.

GLC06728.061

7 January 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that three fourths of his regiment has reenlisted, but he does not feel that $402 is enough incentive for him to reenlist. Reports that he has been assigned duty in the 88th Illinois, Co. K. Also writes that Grant had visited Sheridan's headquarters about a week ago. Rations are short, so many of the soldiers have to grate corn in order to have something to eat. Writes about a camp dish named "sun of a Bitch" consisting of crackers fried in grease. Expects to be home at the end of the current term of service. Includes a note dated 9th of January 1864 in which he writes about the…

GLC06728.063