January 21, 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

They have been on picket guard for four days. They got paid but he hasn't had a chance to send him money yet. It has been very muddy because of the rains.

GLC02172.36

February 6, 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother H (Henry)

He says everything is dull lately. Dull and muddy. He tells him he received the box that father sent.

GLC02172.38

February 23, 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

They left camp about a week ago and are now near Newport News. They have better sleeping quarters than ever before. A mutual friend is in the hospital.

GLC02172.41

16 April 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

Their campground was near the city of Hampton. He mentions some historical events that took place in town.He has talked to Edward a number of times.

GLC02172.45

23 June 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Henry

It is getting dusty in the swamp. Water is scarce. They are getting closer to picket time. The Rebels are not far away. The Michigan troops had a fight in front of Hooker's division. When the pay master comes around, he will send some money.

GLC02172.50

5 May 1864

Thayer, Howard A., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Thayer arrived in Washington and was transferred to the first battalion of the " 'Veteran Reserve Corps.'" He guards army supply trains traveling to Alexandria, Virginia. Says he is presently stationed at a camp on the Potomac, and sees troops passing through. He tells her that the whole army is "on the move," and he believes that they are changing their whole base of operations. Discusses the positions of the Union armies under the command of General Joseph Hooker and General Ambrose Burnside. In the latter part of the letter, he reflects on an accident in which a soldier, who only had…

GLC06559.086

7 September 1862

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife. Reminsces about her recent visit.

GLC02155.061

January 10, 1864

Welles, Edmund, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Brandy Station. Says the lack of respect for the Sabbath shown by the men in camp angers him. Believes that the men serving in the Union Army will be able to say that they gave "life and limb in this cause of humanity." Says he has been transferred to the "Signal Corps-Army of the Potomac." Mentions that he received his cavalry uniform and arms and built a house in which he will live with two others. Notes people he met at the hospital and states that he and Sergeant Perkins were reminiscing about their stay in Ward B.

GLC06559.092

February 12, 1864

Welles, Edmund, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from "Head Quarters A" of Potomac Signal Corps." Says the news of the Broad and Cherry Hospital's closing saddens him and other grateful wounded soldiers. Notes he is sorry to "learn of Miss Peterson's accident." Tells Ogden that he saw Sergeant Perkins, who has been promoted to the rank of first Lieutenant and has reenlisted for three more years. Perkins is now traveling home for recruiting purposes. Describes camp life, stating that women would be appalled at the way the soldiers live. Says he is unable to send Ogden a photograph at present, but he will send her a "Substitute."…

GLC06559.093

23 March 1864

Welles, Edmund, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Notes he received her letter. Says he does not remember "Zidens," but thinks that he would recognize him if he saw him. Believes those who participated in the Confederate army will be heavily punished. Reports that there is a lot of discontent running through the army, however, he feels that the importance of the military to the nation's existence "changes the hard toil … into a pleasant 'duty.'" Says he is no longer in the Signal Corps, but rather in active duty, stationed between his old Camp and the Army Head Quarters, close to the rebel camps. Mentions he received a letter from Keyes…

GLC06559.094

February 11, 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

V-Mail

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

V-Mail: Sylvia plans to shovel her driveway. Her supervisor at work just has found out that her husband's pre-induction notice is waiting at home for him. Tells him she is ready for whatever comes and is going to Rose Haber's tomorrow and will be able to tell him all about Fort Lewis, because her husband is stationed there.

GLC09414.0158

17 September 1862

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Notes he and the other soldiers think that they will be "getting in the cars for Hagerstown," but they are not positive. Says he is presently in a field, using his tin plate as a writing surface. Despite talks of Hagerstown, Maryland he believes that his regiment will be doing work until March. Mentions that his sole desire is to throw "these miserable miscreants from our homes."

GLC06559.139

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment completed a march of about twenty miles, and finally arrived in Hagerstown on Friday afternoon. Notes they expected an attack last night from [General Stonewall] Jackson and "several thousand men." Says they spent the night "lying on their arms to receive him, but he did not come." Mentions that Stan's Battery was stationed on a hill, making a human wall across the entire hill and neighboring road. His regiment reinforced their barricade, so that if the rebels attacked, "a warm reception awaited them." Because the rebel troops did not come, they believe that "…

GLC06559.141

circa 1861-1864

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Necessity. Notes he is presently in the Cumberland Valley, which he says has "high mountains covered with forests." Writes his regiment just finished an "awful march over the most dusty road thee ever beheld," to join [General George] McClellan's lines. Says Rush's cavalry joined their lines, while Murphy's 29th Pennsylvania Regiment occupied the town. Says that when the battle ceased, the results were announced as favorable, because "McClellan has the rebels surrounded." To reach the town, his regiment marched all last night, and all of the morning, with periodical halts…

GLC06559.143

21 June 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Russell. Says he has not been able to write for a long time, but reports his health is very good and his duty as an orderly sergeant is keeping him busy. Believes his Captain, William Allen, is a "fine officer and the men are all pleased with him." Mentions he and his first and second lieutenants were invited by their Quartermaster, to tea at his father's house in Harrisburg. Says the inhabitants of Harrisburg became frightened and removed valuables from the city, when news of the rebel onslaught was received. Asks she sends him some of his cards in the next letter, so…

GLC06559.145

12 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife from camp near Waynesboro. Says after arriving in Waynesboro and "resting for a day, we were sent on a reconnaisance [sic] in force (our whole division) under Sam Smith into 'My Maryland.'" They came within a short distance of Hagerstown, Maryland, where the rebels were evacuating. The men marched through wheat and corn fields, "under a broiling sun," over rocks, through woods, and over creeks. While on the march, they found a group of rebels foraging at a mill. Says he has not had "a change of underclothing for over 10 days, this of course with no convenience for…

GLC06559.147

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes that his regiment has been selected for a term of duty lasting three months, unless they get an earlier discharge. Says his regiment was digging trenches "all last night," while ammunition was being distributed to the soldiers. Notes he is unaware of their destination or their plan, but he is hoping for the best. He closes the letter by giving his love and stating that he will be sending the letter via his friend, W. Jenk.

GLC06559.151

1861-1865

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes a brief letter to his wife informing her they they just received marching orders to an unknown destination. Says there were "many exciting rumors in camp this afternoon," but there is no definite information as to where they will be traveling. Mentions that he is unaware of any recent news because he has not seen a paper since yesterday morning. Promises to write when they reach the next stopping place, "Providence permitting."

GLC06559.152

23 July 1863

Ogden, Edward H., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes to his wife from Camp Rest, near Greencastle. Writes that he is anxious to hear from home. Says he has become extremely homesick, and he cannot wait to return to his family. Notes his duty is completed, and he should be sent home soon. Mentions he does not have a lot of spare time and that his daily schedule is: reveille: 5 1/2; camp fatigue: 6; surgeon's call 6 1/2: Breakfast: 7; Morning report: 8; guard mounting: 9; company drill: 9 1/2 to 11; Dinner: 12; Orderlies Call: 1; Battalion drill: 2 to 4; Dress parade: 6 1/2; "tattoo: 8 1/2; taps: 9. Says his personal duties include…

GLC06559.153

11 September 1862

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Is healthy and hopes he is too. Camped two miles from the city of Baltimore "on a little hill." There is a large railroad bridge that they have been guarding. Sent some letters and is wondering whether or not he has received them yet. The guards caught a rebel. Asks to be sent 50 cents worth of postage stamps to use. No year listed, based on content and location of regiment.

GLC08914.001

23 October 1862

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Is well at the present; had a bad cold but feels better now. Got a letter from Lewis Brooks. Misses the cider from back home. Does not want to simply sit out the winter. Has started to get pretty cold at the camp. Written in Camp Millington

GLC08914.004

5 May 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Glad to have received his letter; hopes this letter will find him in good health. Will send a copy of the New Orleans newspaper. Sent his likeness in a photograph and an ambrotype a week ago. Lewis Brooks had gotten a letter from [Mag] saying that he (Rifenburgh's brother) had been complaining about having not received a letter in a while. Now thinks the war will last a long time: "I don't think that this war is going to end in three months or12 months." "Hot as hell" at the camp, but is able to stand the heat. Written at Camp Parapet.

GLC08914.024

10 June 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Marched to Port Hudson on May 20th. Boarded the steamer Bard and sailed until sundown, when they arrived at Baton Rouge. Sailed 10 more miles the next day, and landed on shore. Got 100 rounds worth of cartridges, and then marched the rest of the way to Port Hudson. Rained "like the devil" that night; were "wet as cats." Marched the next afternoon until they were within two miles of their current position. Made their way to their current position the next day. The next day "our regiment made a charge on the Rebels in the wood and drove them all out and burned five houses." Has fallen back…

GLC08914.027

27 November 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

He describes life in his new battery. But he still asks if his uncle can get him an army appointment. He wants to join an artillery unit.

GLC02161.103

13 December 1863

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He says the captain and the other officers are very down to earth and do put on airs. They sleep with him and he kicks them out of bed in the morning. They are a family.

GLC02161.105