20 October 1862-10 May 1863

Van Nuys, Samuel Watson, 1841-1864

Diary

Title: [diary]

daily life, troop movements, and news of the war.

GLC07687.162

11 May 1863-16 October 1863

Van Nuys, Samuel Watson, 1841-1864

Diary

Title: [diary]

daily life, troop movements, and news of the war. 5 July reads: "The enemys loss has been enormous. Our men also suffered severly--especially our artillery. [B]ehind one of our batteris were 30 dead horses. The stench is almost unbearable."

GLC07687.163

9 September 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents]

Reports that they are moving towards "Dixie's Army" slowly. Describes how he arrived to Odin Illinois. Asks that his parents visit him while he's in Illinois. Includes what seems to be a short poem on the verso of the page.

GLC06728.022

11 September 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents]

Arrived in Cincinnati at 3 am. Writes that he is nostalgic being in his old state again. Asks his parents to visit him.

GLC06728.023

22 September 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents]

Writes that he arrived yesterday morning and that there are many troops in the city. There are orders to surrender the city and citizens have been instructed to leave.

GLC06728.024

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

10 October 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his parents]

Mentions the battle of Perryville and writes that his regiment had over one hundred killed and wounded; his company suffered three killed and eight wounded. Reports that he got through the battle without a scratch. Writes that the battle of Pea Ridge "has no very fair comparison with this battle".

GLC06728.026

12 October 1862

Weeks, Thomas, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lt. Holden

Weeks' father, Thomas, inquires about the condition of John after the battle of Perryville. He writes: "so please answer and oblige a fraternal brother." Also included is a response from C.L. Hozl on behalf of Lt. Holden. He writes that John was fine when leaving Perryville, but Lt. Holden has suffered a bad wound in his right arm and is currently in the hospital

GLC06728.027

28 October 1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Requests that his parents send him a short history of the recent Perryville battle if they come across one. Writes that he saw some friends from the 101st. Also writes that he has marched from his camp near Crab Orchard back to Danville and then south west toward Munfordsville. Hopes that the soldiers will be supplied with tents soon, as they have not had any since the beginning of the month.

GLC06728.028

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

8 December1862

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports the death of Capt. Holden from a wound through the muscle of the arm below the elbow. Also reports that one corporal was killed and two wounded, leaving four corporals on duty. He has finally been paid and hopes to be paid again soon. Writes that there seems to be no opportunity to join a lodge in the area. Written in a camp near Nashville, Tennessee

GLC06728.033

8 January 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that he has a flesh wound in his right hip from the recent battle (battle of Murfreesboro). Also writes that he was taken prisoner and paroled. Ninety-six men from his company went to battle of which twenty-five men were killed or wounded. Reports that the commander of the company was taken prisoner.

GLC06728.034

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

February 3, 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

He is being kept in a dark room and is accompanied by "greybacks" and five or six others from the regiment. His wound is healing slowly, but doing well. Expects to be called to go to St. Louis. Written at the Exchange Barracks.

GLC06728.036

February 12, 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Complains about the rainy weather and the unpleasantness of the barracks. Does not know what goes on outside the barracks, although he can get a pass to go out.Written at the Benton Barracks Union Military Camp

GLC06728.038

16 March 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Etta

Writes that he is on picket duty twice a week and that he was recently in Knoxville. Reports that contraband come into the lines every day to list for sugar. Also reports that the troops are currently engaged at Dandridge.

GLC06728.039

25 March 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Complains about the monotony of the barracks. Left for Vicksburg early in the morning. Describes the eating habits of the soldiers and compares them to pigs eating swill. Writes that his eating utensils consist of a tin cup and a jack knife.

GLC06728.040

30 March 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Anne

Writes that he sent his overcoat to Oberlin as bail to his own name. Is expecting to leave tomorrow but does not mention where.

GLC06728.041

9 April 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that rebels have taken possession of a part of the Cumberland River, fifteen miles away. The rebels also burned a boat filled with sutler's goods. Describes the town of Clarksville and writes that there are two regiments of infantry, a battery, and some cavalry stationed there

GLC06728.042

12 April 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that rebels captured a train and killed several soldiers a few days ago. After capturing the train they burned it and later skedddled. Included is a letter written the next day in which he writes that he saw Lafayette [Miller] and George Schaffer when he visited Co. G of 101st Ohio. Writes of some possible upcoming vacancies in the regiment.

GLC06728.043

16 April 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Writes that George Mordoff came to visit him a few days ago. Reports that Ambrose Denman has gone home and that the 101st is close to their camp. Has received his six months pay ($60) and is forwarding it home. Sends his respects to family.

GLC06728.044

28 April 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he visited the 101st and saw Billy Hutchinson and George Morse. Reports that the fortifications are of exceptional quality; better than those in Corinth. Has sent sixty dollars to his parents and asks them to save a dollar from the amount to purchase stamps. Reports that the troops were firing on picket most of the night.

GLC06728.045