January 1862

McKinney, Erastus R., fl. 1851-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father and friends

re: cooking for the mess, naming a newborn after him (possibly his son)

GLC02179.01.020

11 May 1863

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Talks about Hooker's defeat, his faith in McClellan, includes song about boy asking his mother about his father that is a soldier.

GLC02744.053

17 May 1864

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Discusses a battle where he loses 106 men.

GLC02744.192

04 June 1864

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Copy of the original. Last letter home, writes about troop movements and assures wife of health. Was written near Cold Harbor, Virginia.

GLC02744.203

21 April 1864

Burpee, Thomas Francis, 1830-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Thomas F. Burpee

Writes about the potential danger of the"Rebel Ram" and the Plymouth capture.

GLC02744.180

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

5 January 1862

Johnson, Charles, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Printed on 56th New York stationery. Is fulfilling his promise that he made to her upon departing Neversink to keep her updated on all that is going on in his life. Would have written sooner, but there has been a lot of marching. Did not know when to write because another soldier in the camp has been writing her. Wishes he were home in Sullivan. It has not yet snowed significantly at the camp. Drilled for six hours the day before. Food consisted of "a good fist-full of salt junk & bread seasoned with a cup full of rice & molasses." The lucky ones have gotten some whiskey. Some have…

GLC02164.11

22 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not heard from Wellington but is not concerned because he is well provided for and his sickness is not dangerous, although he will probably not be fit for duty again this winter. S. Z. Dickinson has gone to Finley Hospital in Washington. Received a letter from him today which said that he had to walk three miles, which took him three hours, and he was…

GLC02596.12

1861-1877

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant W. H. Betty

Writing a few lines to let Betty know that he sits up for most of the day but is very weak. Has all the care that he could wish for, and everything in the hospital is kept clean. The 60 to 70 patients there all seem to be doing well; Bettes does not think there is anyone who is dangerously sick and no one has died since he arrived at the Union Chapel Hospital in Washington. Believes he will apply for a discharge. Does not know if he can get one or not, but there is no harm in trying. Asks Betty to send him the letters that have arrived for him at camp. If he does not get his discharge,…

GLC02596.14

23 April 1862

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

Printed with a red white and blue stamp of a woman clad in the American flag. Received her letter a day ago. Many have been wounded since he last wrote. Will give a short account of what has happened. Rebels spotted two miles from camp. When they closed to within a few hundred yards from the rebel fort his company engaged them. One of his comrades was nearly hit in the head by two bullets. Two of their captains were shot. Found a small church to use as cover. Every few moments they could hear the sound of enemy shots being fired. The men were very eager and took a shot every chance they could…

GLC02164.08

1815-1860

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

The letter has the same stamp as letter #8, so it could also have been written while Higgins was fighting in the Peninsular Campaign. Hopes the time will soon come when they will be reunited. Says he takes a great deal of comfort in writing, and therefore hopes to tell her all about his life. Has coughed often and complains of having a bad cold. He is not the only man who is sick; one man in Chasley was left behind on account of his illness. Higgins's company took him in when they found him. Felt very bad upon learning of the death of one T. Taylor.

GLC02164.09

1815-1860

Envelope

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.12

1815-1860

Envelope

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.13

1815-1860

Envelope

Title: to Fannie Schoonmaker

GLC02164.14

16 June 1865

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Sent a box this morning containing his overcoat and pants. The coat with red lining and the two shirts are Sanford Ticknor's. Writes that "one package of letters belongs to Carter of Brimfield, Ohio which he sends home." The shells, books, cap all in the box belong to Bettes. Sent the shells to his wife as a present. The Dutch Testament of the Bible is for Charley. They have just received orders to be ready to go to Bridgeport, Connecticut this afternoon at 3 o'clock. On the third page, Bettes has written: "send this box to Lodema Bettes. Atwater Portage Co. Ohio."

GLC02596.13

1 April 1863

Lyon, J.J., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Yesterday, Lyon received Harding's letter containing vouchers; very glad to hear from Harding. Was pleasantly located at Rolla, Missouri for two weeks when they "received orders emanating from the War Department to report to Major General Grant at Young's Point, Louisiana. Arrived at Benton Barracks a week ago on their way down to Young's Point and will continue their journey in a day or two. Will stop and see everybody so he can tell everybody the news and save himself the trouble of writing. Enclosed some signed vouchers for Harding in the letter. Asks Harding to give Colonel Bramer…

GLC02178.01

19 June 1863

Gillette, Lee P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Asks Harding to purchase $5 worth of Smoking Tobacco for him. Only wants good Tobacco and thinks it is 75 cents per pound, but Harding should not pay more than that price. Tells Harding that he is the "judge of the article." Harding should send it by Express if he is not coming down to Pilot Knob anytime soon. Also asks Harding to go to Colonel Livingston's office and inquire for a circular from the Ordnance Department. Writes that any blanks on the circular left by Lieutenant McDonald could be filled by Colonel Livingston. Tells Harding to send the circular to him by mail. The second…

GLC02178.02

26 June 1863

Padgett, W.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Just wrote a letter to Major General Schofield earnestly demanding the release of Mr. Bradley Bunch. Asks Harding to visit Bunch and tell him to not lose hope. Spoke to General Davidson, who said that the case was beyond his jurisdiction. Hopes that General Schofield will be able to attain Bunch's release. Would like Harding to occasionally visit Bunch and to check that he is not suffering too badly. Ends the letter by stating that he will write again in a few days with an update on the affair with Mr. Bunch.

GLC02178.03

13 July 1863

Padgett, W.B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Writes that he has not heard from Harding in some time because his first letters were directed to General Davidson. Have no mail facilities with their brigade so it is very difficult to receive and mail letters. Writes that "General Davidson seems to think that the Cavalry Division was made for the purpose of creating a machine to develop an embryo, not for the purpose of serving this country." Saw him not more than an hour ago riding up to Colonel J. M. Glover's Head Quarters in his fine carriage with two horses; walked about 10 steps to Colonel Glover's tent. Writes that "you would have…

GLC02178.05

25 July 1863

Ribble, H. H., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Has been receiving Harding's letters but has not replied because he could do nothing for Harding at the time. Has been waiting for an opportunity for Harding's promotion and for the promotion of the Regiment. Thinks there are going to be some changes made and if there is any position for Harding, he shall have it. Ribble does not know what it will be but will certainly do all he can to help. Ribble has sent a request to have Harding returned because he thinks it is better for Harding to be here. Asks Harding to write to him immediately.

GLC02178.06

19 October 1864

Holloway, G.H., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos J. Harding

Writes that they have "met the enemy and are out on parole, which occurred at Glasgow on the 15th after eight hours of constant and determined fighting." The Union had 600 untried soldiers against 8000 veteran Rebels. They had marched for three days and reached an advanced force at Boonville. The number of Union casualties was not alarming, but they lost three officers and about a dozen men, including Lieutenant Simmonds and McDowell. States that "Dusold was shot in the head but he is running around now among the rebel leaders who 'gobbled us,' such as Clark, Shelby, Quantrill, and…

GLC02178.07