12 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that they have orders to move to Deep Creek the next day and set up a new camp. They have not been called out to fight because so many of the recruits are unarmed. Writes more about how he finds Goddard "awkward." Arranges for his family to send his photograph to friends.

GLC03603.258

30 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Family has received the trunk of extra clothing he has sent home and he responds to a question they asked him about a photograph of a woman that was in the trunk. Says it was merely a photograph he found and kept in hopes of returning it to its owner. The scrap wishes his family a happy new year.

GLC03603.177

January 16, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using his new knife and passed part of an evening whittling. Gives an update to the news of Sumner's order regarding food purchase at the commissary. An order by General Burnside has dictated that the men may purchase whatever they would like from the commissary at the prices the government pays. Writes of his fondness for photographs of his family and about the general craze for photographs by the other men. His family has sent him $5 and he feels terrible that he has not been able to send any home.

GLC03603.183

22 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his mother for sending the newspapers and clippings. Writes of experiencing a very bad snow storm and the poor conditions of the enlisted mens' shelters. Whiskey was served to the entire regiment for warmth. Believes that his regiment is there merely to hold the land that has been captured. Gives a summary of what has happened to the men who were wounded at Antietam. Requests more photographs to trade. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.212

29 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes he and his company wish they could go back to Connecticut to vote on the Conscription Act, which calls for a draft and excuses men who can furnish a viable replacement or pay the government $300. Says he has heard that an officer cannot walk through the streets of Hartford, Connecticut without being deeply insulted. Writes of wounded men being laughed at by some of the same people who encouraged them to enlist. Notes he had a portrait taken.

GLC03603.216

3 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been very busy making up his equipment and Ordinance reports. He can hear the 103rd New York Regiment band serenading Colonel Beach's lady. Mentions the money that he sent via Captain Moore again and the photographs of Colonel Ward and Forrest Spafford that he has enclosed. Writes that he has forgotten about his birthday until a few days afterward.

GLC03603.221

18 November 1867

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister Sarah Gibson]

Recipient inferred from content. He and Hart are going to the city to try to earn money, so the family must keep their hopes up and economize. Father cannot take Loula at the present time. He asks Sarah to send several of his old photographs to Miss Mary E. Montgomery (Randall's future wife) in Tremont, New York.

GLC04501.036

January 30, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

1877-1900

Photograph

Title: David P. Harmon

Bust portrait of Harmon with printed signature underneath the image.

GLC06143.21

7 December 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports of his crew going on a "foraging" and returning with 102 loads of corn and 20 loads of oats and hay. Describes having a good turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. A man named Bill Waldron purchased a turkey for 50 cents and had it baked. Writes of Bill Waldron having things sent to him, requests that his parents send him six to ten pounds of butter and some chickens with Bill's stuff for Christmas. Says that butter is worth 30 cents where he is at. Reports having his picture taken in full uniform and looking very military. Written on "6th…

GLC03523.49.05

15 November 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Reports that a man named Eugene Thomas, along with the rest of the men, might have been taken prisoner while traveling home on a furlough. Writes that he has also heard the story is not true. Informs his sister that he sent both her and his mother a picture of himself. Writes about a friend who just recently died. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.25

12 June 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are employed as nurses in hospitals. Writes they have plenty of rations and just received new clothing. Comments his new clothes are making him sick; he has a headache. Request he sends him a newspaper and a day book. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. A small fragment of paper is included.

GLC03523.52.56

September 1863

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph signed

Title: Incidents of the war. Group--Generals Meade, Humphreys, Hunt, French, Sykes, and Warren.

Famous photograph of the commanders of the Army of the Potomac, taken after the Gettysburg campaign. Taken near Culpeper Court House in Virginia. Included are Generals George G. Meade, A.A. Humphreys, Henry J. Hunt, William French, George Sykes, and Gouverneur K. Warren. Signed on the mount by: "Henry J. Hunt Br Genl. Ch. of Art.," "A.A. Humphreys Maj. Genl. Vols Chf. Staff," and "Geo. G. Meade Maj. Genl. of Vols" Mount has been trimmed, cutting off parts of General Meade's signature and possibly the signatures of the other officers pictured.

GLC09351

19 April 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Ward writes that there has been heavy skirmishing and fighting is expected every hour (possibly referring to the First Battle of Corinth or the Siege of Corinth). He is getting tired of the war and hopes to get a furlough. Asks his sister and family's opinion of the conscription law. Informs his sister that their father has bought him and [his brothers] a negro but has not sent him up yet. Asks that his sister and Rose, his other sister, write longer and more frequent letters. Begs his sister to get daguerrotypes of her and Rose done and sent to him. Asks to be updated on news and…

GLC02232.05

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

17 December 1862

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that he has been on furlough for two months. The 4th and 5th Tennessee regiments have been consolidated and he is hopeful that he will be decommissioned as a result. He's sorry to learn that Mrs. Champlin and her daughters, are abolitionists and is particularly concerned about Miss Ettie Champlin's abolitionist inclinations. Regarding Miss Ettie, he writes: "and there goes one of my Memphis sweethearts for I can't marry a yankee girl." Mentions a girl he's met in Murfreesboro by the name of Midora Henson who meets his "pretty, smart, and rich" critera. His health has improved and…

GLC02232.10

5 March 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that he is very disappointed that a "fat letter" from home has been lost. Also writes that his brigade has been on outpost for over a month and he is anxious to leave. He asks his sister to deliver the enclosed notes to Miss Ettie (his ex-fiancee) and Miss Mollie. Writes that he's concerned that Miss Ettie has not been receiving his correspondence, but is certain that despite his sister's dislike for Miss Ettie, she would never cease from forwarding his letters to her. Requests that his sister send him a fat letter whenever possible. In a postscript note, he informs her that he has…

GLC02232.15

5 May 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Advises his sister that in order to keep a sweetheart she should give him a daguerreotype and not a photograph of herself. Writes that his "sweetheart," Miss Melinda, has replaced him for another fellow. He discusses how many of the soldiers get positions (promotions) just talking their way up. Asks his sister to give his love to all the girls and writes that he will marry any that will take him, assuring them that he is still good looking and not "as some contraband, or American gentleman of African descent." There is missing text due to holes in the paper. The letter is very fragile.

GLC02232.17

10 May 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Informs his sister that he will be sending her a letter by way of a friend who has been discharged. Advises her to make acquaintances with him, as he can get letters out for her. Asks his sister to send him her daguerreotype and to correct the rumor that he is currently engaged. Writes that he never knew how much he loved his family until now. He also mentions that he and his brother Marshall have talked about transferring to the Navy. Requests that he be sent a blank diary from home, as the current diary will soon run out of space.

GLC02232.18

14 August 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that he hasn't heard from his family in a long time. He updates his sister on Marshall's (Ward's brother, also referred to as Sam) whereabouts and condition. Ward writes that he spends most of his time in camp reading Waverly novels and the Bible because he doesn't care for Chattanooga or its residents. He complains that he is broke and needs a new pair of boots, which he hopes his sister will be able to furnish for him. Mentions Ms. Ettie (a former love interest with abolitionist tendencies) and writes that he wishes never to discuss her again. Informs his sister that Clarence (a…

GLC02232.20

January 26, 1864

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells his sister that George (possibly a friend) has taken Ward's daguerrotype of her and has asked to keep it. He requests a picture of his sister. Writes that he is afraid he won't get his furlough.

GLC02232.28

17 August 1891

Wright, H.W., fl. 1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Elmira P. Seranton

They recently moved where there are beautiful views. She has included a photo of the whole family.

GLC02751.40

8 August 1891

Wright, J.T., fl. 1891

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Elmina P. Scranton

He has enclosed a pictured of all the Wrights.

GLC02751.44

1863

Cruger, Jefferson, fl. 1863

Diary

Title: 1863 Diary

GLC06160.01

1863

Object

Title: Belt Buckle

GLC06160.02