9 July 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

Just finished writing a letter to Charlie and will now write to her. Glad to hear her July 4th was so pleasant. One year ago on the 4th his corps was celebrating the victory at Gettysburg. Does not know where he will be for the next July 4th, but hopes he will be in Massachusetts. Does not have much news to write of. Does not know if she has gotten news that he is back with his original company. Came back from guard duty with 22 others.

GLC09355.079

26 July 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Resting at camp. It is the first day in a week that they have not been marching or fighting, which is "quite a relief." Now knows how his mother felt when she worked so hard around the house. Has marched almost non-stop since June 5th, covering "400 miles in that time" with stretches of "60 or 70 hours at a time without sleep." Marches often start at 4:00 AM without any warning or breakfast. Sometimes managed to buy food along the road. Often did not get to sleep until 2:00 AM. Eustis, his brigade's commander, said "if his brigade were sent in front and were brought into action [at Gettysburg…

GLC09355.012

11 November 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

General Burnside will now command the Army of the Potomac, and Gen. McClellan will step down. The 9th Army Corps will be sad to see him go. He includes General Orders.

GLC07705.112

13 March 1862

Jackson, Henry, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard H. Jackson

The loss of the Cumberland and Congress at Newport News caused depression at home. He informs him that the whole Union army on the Potomac is on the advance and is glad his son is so devoted to his country.

GLC07705.206

13 September 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

writing from the hospital. describes the battle of Bull Run. ends up getting wounded in the arm.

GLC09354.11

24 September 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

has the use of three fingers in his right hand. heard that her father and brother have enlisted. recovering.

GLC09354.12

14 March 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

tired and homesick. has experienced desperate fighting. lists all the different regiments that are out there. writes they are expecting 2,000 more troops. Written in Camp Hamilton, first named Camp Troy.

GLC09354.03

24 March 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

writes there will be a forward movement. 20,000 more have joined them. they are getting ready to attack Norfolk. writes "before I came to the South, I had some sympathy for the slaves, but it has all gone..."

GLC09354.05

30 March 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

feels like he has nothing interesting to say. very homesick. feels homesick the most when he is on picket duty.

GLC09354.06

13 April 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

the battle of Yortown rages around them but so far their loss is small and infantry has not been engaged. understands that war is dangerous but it doesn't seem all that real to him.

GLC09354.07

13 April 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

describes what picket duty is. writes it involves scouting around the country. they they their food with them, nothing but corned beef and hard bread. they also do provost-duty, and stay with farmers and watch their movements.

GLC09354.08

20 July 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

marched 20 miles without food or water when the Rebels attacked them. there were heavy losses on both sides. writes that Sunday is like any other day in the army and there is no time off to attend church.

GLC09354.09

27 April 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

thinks the coasting affair was quite funny. still very homesick but makes it clear he doesn't want to get out of the army but he does think of home at time. currently experiencing a drenching rain.Written at Camp Hamilton

GLC09354.10

21 December 1862

Keyes, Samuel. fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annie

has received a full discharge from the army. hopes his arm will be entirely well by the Spring.

GLC09354.13

February 26, 1878

Beale, James, fl. 1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maj. Geo. Hooker

still finds Batchelder's story to be inaccurate. writes that the Potomac army has a very poor opimiom of Theodore Lyman. thinks Genie Howard uses the excuse of being wounded to lie.

GLC09171.2

20 November 1861

Thompson, Frank J., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother Frye

He has just returned from the Grand Review which he describes as magnificent. It was of the Left Wing of the army on the Potomac. He also discusses a building that he wants to sell.

GLC07205.079

February 25, 1862

Porter, Charles B., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He mentions that he was mistaken in his opinion that McCllelen could command the Potomac army. His actions have proved otherwise. He requests dried fruit, butter and cheese.

GLC02172.61

January 28, 1865

Keyser, Charles M., fl. 1865

Printed document signed

Title: [special orders no. 2121]

Copied. Captain and Assistant Adjutant General Keyser transfers Private Saul McCann to the Army of the Potomac.

GLC02750.126

3 April 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he has been ill with mumps but has almost fully recovered. Reports that the railroad from Knoxville to Chattanooga is complete. Also reports that Major General Howard is commanding the 4th corps. instead of [General Robert Granger]. In addition, Brig. General Wagner is commanding the division instead of "Little Phil" Sheridan who has left for the Potomac to command a cavalry force. Also, General George Stoneman is organizing a cavalry command in the department of the Ohio. Asks that he be informed about any troops returning home on furlough. Inquires about the price of gold.

GLC06728.067

28 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a rumor that Smith's Division had been taken from the army of the Potomac and assigned to the central department. Four months ago they came to this same place with 780 men. Now they only have 400.

GLC02161.052

1815-1860

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Lonely, decided to write her. Is very happy with his new place. Does not know what to write; asks for suggestions in her response. Asks if her parents are going away, and, if so, to let him know in advance so he can see her. Promises that he will not forget her. Does not want her to be insulted for him asking her to keep her poise and will. Does not want her to make fun of this letter, for it is "as good as can compose it." Will mail it in such a way that her parents cannot tell whom it is from. She is the only friend he has. Dated June. No year given.

GLC02164.04

February 14, 1862

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Received a letter from her yesterday, and is glad to hear she is in good health. Does not have much to ask her because she wrote a very long letter. Wrote to her the Saturday before, but it appears that that letter did not arrive before she sent her letter. Hardly knows that day of the week it is. It is sunny today, but that does not help him figure out what day it is. Has enjoyed himself with some down time. Was sick, but pretended to be well so that he could stay with the rest of the company. Nat Hodge, presumably a mutual friend, arrived at camp the day before, which pleases Higgins…

GLC02164.05

February 25, 1862

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Illegible. Ink has faded substantially, making it nearly impossible to read.

GLC02164.06

17 March 1862

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Printed on stationery marked "Liberty and Union." Has a "troubled mind." Does not know why she has not responded to his letter. Is "ready to face the enemy and stand fast." The regiment is going to move, and he has to go to the "cursed hospital" for a day. Is "bound" to go, but does not want to. The doctor will force him to go to the Hospital unless he leaves, and none of the soldiers are allowed to leave. The whole army of the Potomac is on the move. Has seen gun boats on the river. Hopes she will write him a letter soon explaining her delay in responding to him.

GLC02164.07

30 September 1861

Reese, David

Autograph letter signed

Title: to daughter

The letter has a green New York stamp that includes the New York State seal. Lets his daughter know he is well. Moved from Washington to Aliten [Alton?] Heights last Saturday. Are within eleven miles of the battlefield. "Do not know what minute we will be called upon; we expect a battle every day." Took Museum Hill last night. His son - the recipient of the letter's brother - is there. They have been exchanging letters, and his son has not been sick a day since he arrived in the regiment. Says to Tell Lisibeth - presumably Elizabeth, another one of his daughters - he was "very glad to hear…

GLC02164.10