11 May 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Last night they crossed the Rappahannock, marched through Fredricksburg and camped. He talks about how the Rebels treat their dead horses and mules. Fredricksburg is described as a filthy place.

GLC02161.021

21 May 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Norman R. Dewey]

He has just read his his commission. Col. Albergers' Regt. is at Williamsburg with McClellan.

GLC02161.022

26 May 1862

McLean, R.J., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

GLC02161.024

9 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Harriet W. Dewey]

He has been receiving compliments on his work. They are camped on the battlefield and as he writes the Rebels are throwing shells into their camp.

GLC02161.025

13 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Norman R. Dewey]

Some new officers in his company wrote a scathing letter to the paper attacking him. The primary culprit is someone at a country paper. Capt. Alberger and Capt. Cluney recommended him for promotion.

GLC02161.026

16 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He got a letter from Will who has picket duty. Their sharpshooters killed or wounded every gunner that attempted to use their artillery. There will be no more picketing on their end.

GLC02161.027

16 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a cavalry fight described as one of the fiercest. Will was wounded. 31 were killed. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.028

20 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He heard that Will was captured at Old Church. He is not that worried and feels he will be released unharmed. He himself is doing well. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.029

21 June 1862

McLean, William, fl. 1854-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Her husband informs her he has been taken prisoner. He assures her, however, that he is very comfortable.

GLC02161.030

23 June 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman R. Dewey

Not only is will a prisioner, but so is the asst. surgeon, so he won't lack for proper medical care. Charles Bidwell had to resign because of poor health. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.031

8 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He thinks McClellan could have cut his way through Richmond a month ago. But there would have been drawbacks. The North needs to come down to the South and just fight. But he thinks they are currently outnumbered.

GLC02161.032

11 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He prefers hand to hand combat instead of getting shelled. He also thinks Will must be a full fledged captain by now.

GLC02161.033

14 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

If anything bad happens, he has arranged it so that she will hear it in a telegram first and not in the paper. He got paid and is sending money home.

GLC02161.034

18 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Harriet W. Dewey]

Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.

GLC02161.035

20 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has news about her husband. His wounds have all healed and he has been moved to the officers' prison. He will most likely be among the first of those exchanged.

GLC02161.036

22 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He requests photos of mother and father. He is also enclosing a sketch from an illustrated newspaper depicting the cavalry battle that Will fought in. Not included here.

GLC02161.037

23 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Norman R. Dewey]

He wants his father to stop working so hard. He should be as comfortable as possible. He warns his father it may be a year before he can visit him.

GLC02161.038

25 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He sent money to father and told mother to send him some things. Capt. M.went down to Fort Monroe. It is hot and uncomfortable.

GLC02161.039

28 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has been working hard in the hot sun. He is looking forward to Will's release. She should go to Michigan to visit an uncle of theirs.

GLC02161.040

30 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He admonishes her for worrying too much about everything. He says she is too imaginative and envisions the worst about everything.

GLC02161.041

1 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Norman R. Dewey]

The Rebels attacked the night before and he describes how the sky lit up because of the flash of the artillery. His theory as to why is that the attack drew their gunboats out, thus allowing the Rebels to follow them.

GLC02161.042

2 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is angry because it seems like everyone else has been home at least once if not twice already. He has also been there about five months longer as well.

GLC02161.043

3 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Norman R. Dewey]

Lt. Hunt says the paymaster is coming soon. His father says he shouldn't live without too many comforts. He says he doesn't need many.

GLC02161.044

5 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is not that discouraged by the fact that they did not advance and take Richmond. He is just happy to see the James River and be alive. He has confidence.

GLC02161.045

8 August 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There is a rumour going around that Will was released but it is not believed because he would have stopped by. The men signed a petition to keep him in their regiment.

GLC02161.046