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to Sister Ellen

They have been on the march through Dalton and Resaca. Fighting took place left and center. They skirmished until Kingston and then marched to Dallas.

GLC00653.11.18

to Father

He has been sick lately and even had to be taken away in an ambulance. He is feeling better however. They had a battle recently in which 10,000 volunteers came to help them. Yesterday there was heavy skirmishing.

GLC00653.11.19

to Mother

He just returned from a three day march. They marched through the dark and the rain and encountered fallen logs. He requests butter and dried apples. Pages missing.

GLC00653.11.20

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott describes how they got across Bear River to meet the enemy where they immediately began fighting. The enemy rescued some of their prisoners. The next day they marched back and camped near a mountain.

GLC00653.11.21

to Mother

Letter is completely faded.

GLC00653.11.22

to Mother

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about the new clothes he has purchased and received from the army. He bought new shirts and received a new blanket.

GLC00653.11.23

to Sister

In the letter, Laurens W. Wolcott talks about mutual friends and acquaintances. He is glad Robert did not enlist because he would not have liked a soldier's life all. He also notes that the chaplain returned. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.24

to Father

Laurens W Wolcott writes that the 42nd regiment passed by and he got to see people he hadn't seen in a while. One of four gunboats was captured in battle. Afterwards more than half the company was sick but they are feeling better now. The weather has...

GLC00653.11.25

to Sister

Yesterday there was skirmishing among the pickets. They also received strict orders not to cross the lines of their division except on business. The weather has been pleasant.

GLC00653.11.26

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott is writing from the hospital where he has been ill with fever. Now, however, he is doing much better but will stay a little longer before resuming hard duty.

GLC00653.11.27

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that they got on a steamer bound for St. Louis where he met a friend who entrusted a package with him. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.28

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that on Thursday night they were taken out of their tents to go to Stewartsville. They were expected to have a major skirmish there, but nothing happened. Letter written at Benton Barracks (also know as Camp Benton).

GLC00653.11.29

to Brother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there are some people who say they have defective arms, but he thinks their weapons are very well-made. He says they have been living on 2 meals per days and he has enjoyed good health. He writes that they marched at...

GLC00653.11.30

to Mother

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that he wants his father to send him newspapers like the Independent. He mentions that the weather has been pleasant, and that more troops keep arriving.

GLC00653.11.31

to Sister

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that the weather has been warm and apples are growing. Lately, he has been learning how to cook. He writes that they are camped in a pleasant place. Letter written in Camp Montgomery.

GLC00653.11.32

to Father

Laurens W. Wolcott writes that there is less sickness than at any other time among the company. General "Oglesbee" visited the hospital, and Doctor Humphrey was appointed assistant surgeon. Wolcott's mother urged him to get a discharge, but he is not...

GLC00653.11.33

Shiloh National Park

Photograph of Shiloh National Park. Inscription on the back reads: "View showing superintendant's lodge and park of Shiloh cemetary. Also 200 cannon hereafter to be placed on Shiloh National Park, May 13th, 1897." Lt. Laurens Wolcott is standing at...

GLC00653.11.34

Calling Card for Laurens Wolcott

GLC00653.11.35

Photograph of Lt. Laurens Wolcott

Inscription on back reads: "Lt. Laurens W. Wolcott. 52nd Ills. Vol. Inf." Published by Tompkins' N.Y. Gallery, 34 Canal St., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

GLC00653.11.36

Wolcott Coat of Arms

In Latin it reads: "Nullius Addictus Jurare In Verba Magistri," ["(being) not obliged to swear allegiance to a master."]

GLC00653.11.37

[Laurens Wolcott]

Photo bust of Lt. Laurens W. Wolcott.

GLC00653.11.38

Diary of Eseck G. Wilber

Entries are pretty regular from March 1863 to July of that same year. He mainly records the daily weather. but does mention being a prisoner and some of activities there.

GLC00653.15.1

Photograph of unidentified boy

Boy is dressed in a suit and standing next to a table.

GLC00653.15.2

Photograph of unidentified woman

Woman is sitting down and wearing an everyday dress.

GLC00653.15.3

Photograph of unidentified girl

Girl is standing next to a table.

GLC00653.15.4

Photograph of unidentified man

Man is sitting down and wearing a suit. He has a beard.

GLC00653.15.5

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. Draft transcript is available. Envelope is stamped "5" and "PAID."

GLC00653.20.01

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes a detailed letter to his brother in which he discusses the Battle of Bull Run (fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia). He reports 500 Confederate soldiers were killed, another 1500 wounded, and some 7,000 or...

GLC00653.20.02

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. He notes he has been offered an office with the Medical Corps with the ranking of Sergeant Major. He reports intermittent & remittent fever, pneumonia, bronchitis, measles, and mumps are the chief...

GLC00653.20.03

to James H. Hollingsworth

Writes to his brother from Camp Georgia, North Carolina. He includes a green five cent postage stamp. Draft transcript is available.

GLC00653.20.04

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. He discusses the Confederacy's "brilliant naval victory" in Hampton Roads, between the Merrimac and the Monitor. He also reports the damages inflicted on the Union frigates, the Cumberland, the Congress...

GLC00653.20.05

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother. He reports the city is being quickly evacuated and that they may leave the city as early as tomorrow. He also mentions the fall of New Orleans and its consequences on the Confederate Army and its future...

GLC00653.20.06

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother from camp, which is six miles from Richmond, Virginia. He discusses a great upcoming battle expected in Richmond, Virginia. Envelope includes an 1862 postage stamp. Draft transcript is available.

GLC00653.20.07

to James H. Hollingsworth

William T. Hollingsworth writes to his brother from Bridgewater Farm, approximately five miles from Richmond, Virginia. He provides a detailed account of the Seven Pines battle fought "May 31st until 7th 1862". The Battle of Seven Pines, also known...

GLC00653.20.08

to his mother

GLC00653.21.01

to his mother

Henry F. Spencer describes his regiment's travels through Maryland and Pennsylvania, and mentions the Battle of Gettysburg, though does not go into much detail. Also mentions exchanging fire on July 4, evidently the last of the skirmishing after the...

GLC00653.21.03

to his Father

Letter written from Drummondtown, present-day Accomac, Virginia.

GLC00653.21.04

to his Parents

Letter written from "Camp Burnside near Point Isabel" (likely Point Isabele), present-day Burnside, Kentucky.

GLC00653.21.05

to his Parents

Letter written from "Poplars Grove Church," Virginia.

GLC00653.21.09

Ellsworth Avengers

Song entitled "Ellsworth Avengers."

GLC00653.21.10

to mother

He is well; hopes she is too. He has joined company E of the 42nd regiment. "I just got [here] in time to see a man shot… It was Fred Lammer's brother. He deserted and went to the [Yankee] lines." Another man deserted last night. Two more deserters...

GLC00653.22.01

to mother

He got his mother's letter this evening. He is sorry to hear of his brother's injury but glad to hear he is getting better. Also heard that "Pa" had to go to Concord to court, and wants to know why he did that. He got the shirt, socks, and gloves two...

GLC00653.22.02

to father and mother

"We are faring badly [here] now," as they are not getting nearly enough to eat. The regiment might have to head home, for "we can't get neither clothes nor money nor provisions here." He does not know how much longer the troops can stand such poor...

GLC00653.22.03

to father and mother

He has written them several times since arriving here but has only received two letters. He will not write again until he receives another letter. "There was a fight on our lines last night." His comrades killed or captured about 300 enemy soldiers....

GLC00653.22.04

to mother

George B. Cook got his mother's letter from the 20th. He is happy to hear Frank [Frost] was as close to home as Raleigh, but is sorry to hear he was ill. They must tell Mr. Whitlocks to come visit him when he comes up to Richmond. His current...

GLC00653.22.05

to sister

George B. Cook got his sister's letter from Eli Howell, who brought the letter from Salisbury. He got marching orders at 11:00 PM last night to go to Richmond to bury General [Gracy], who was killed by Union artillery. He is currently in a very...

GLC00653.22.06

to sister

George B. Cook is replying to his sister's letter from the 2nd. "I am not well at this time." Had a difficult march starting the night of the 7th. The marched started at night and continued until 12:00 AM in the middle of a rainstorm. Returned to...

GLC00653.22.07

to family

This letter is printed on half of a regimental attendance sheet, perhaps demonstrating the lack of paper in the Confederate camp. He is well and hopes these lines find them in a similar condition. "We are having some very [cold] weather here." It...

GLC00653.22.08

to sister

This letter is printed on the second half of the attendance sheet titled "Consolidated Morning Report." He is replying to his sister's letter from the 11th. He is glad to hear that his cousin Frank got home alright. He hopes they enjoy Christmas at...

GLC00653.22.09

to parents

George B. Cook mistakenly writes on the letter that the year is 1864. He is camped about a mile northeast of Wilmington. He left Richmond on December 20, 1864 and arrived on Christmas Eve. He immediately saw action at Fort Fisher. He lost "three or...

GLC00653.22.10