11 August 1864

Tittle, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Says their relief, the "Iroquois," arrived yesterday. Reports they leave tonight for Cherbourg to receive their wounded and that they will proceed home from there, probably via Cadiz and the Western Islands. Says she can expect him about the middle of next month. Written while aboard the USS "Kearsarge"

GLC02828.19

24 December 1859

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Mayberry

Allen was a sailor on the USS "Congress." Says he has sent several letters home, but wanted to write specifically to her because he does not want to her think he has forgotten her. Sends many individual greetings to friends and family. Reports that "I am truging along the same a[s,] ever plenty to eat and nothing to do but read and sleep[;] you know I always liked to sleep after eating a hearty dinner." Says Captain Hoffman came on board to see him and was sorry he had nothing to send by him. References several other naval vessels. Sends regards to his father, who he hopes is still working…

GLC02829.01

24 August 1860

Allen, Joseph H., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bill and Mary Mayberry

Contains 2 letters, signed twice. Page 1 and half of page 2 is to his brother-in-law Bill and half of page 2 and page 3 is to his sister (he signed the letter on page 4). Allen is aboard the USS "Congress." Is glad to hear Bill is well and has plenty of work. Says he is healthy and has gained 20 pounds. Says he is about 60 miles down river (probably the Rio de la Plata) from Buenos Aires and that his captain came down to drill the crew. Says it is a fine place and that they go over to the "Island" every day to exercise. Says they are eating well and that every man has gained 20-30 pounds.…

GLC02829.02

29 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He writes that he has been wounded in the shoulder and is in the hospital. The bullet is still lodged in his side. He requests his mother's presence and says the wound prevents him from writing.

GLC03603.329

25 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He responds to his family's criticism over declining the promotion. One of the big issues determining wether or not to be mustered out is regiment size. Coit describes his own feelings on this as well as Captain Goodrich's. Coit continues to describe his desire for a staff position and the implications this would have for him.

GLC03603.330

28 October 1864

Smith, fl. 1684

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Charles Coit

The Chaplain writes to Mrs. Coit to inform her that Charles has been wounded with a shrapnel shot. Smith reports the wound is severe and that he was being transported to Chesapeake Hospital. He requested that the Chaplin write to his mother immediately.

GLC03603.331

2 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Coit is back in camp after his long convalescence. He is not yet on duty but has status as "sick". He writes about Colonel Coughlin, Captain Fleming and Lieutenant Colonelcy. He writes of trying to collect souvenirs for family friends. Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC03603.336

5 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Coit writes that he had the pleasure of telling Major Pratt that news of his promotion had been published in the Connecticut newspapers. He writes that Pratt told him that he was the one who deserved the promotion and that he would decline it if it meant that George would accept. He has heard a rumor that he will soon be detailed as Aid at Division Head Quarters of General Devens. He reacts to news from home about the management of the family business.

GLC03603.338

5 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Coit

He responds to news that his Uncle George attempted to influence Mr. Blackstone in order to secure a promotion for Charles. He writes that he is sending all his official papers to George's box. Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC03603.339

8 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he was about to turn in his application for muster but was persuaded by Major Pratt to wait a few days. He writes of the possibility that the regiment may soon be mustered out of service. He writes that he hardly knows any of the other officers as everyone he knew before he was wounded has left. He requests a particular copy of the Navy Journal. He writes that Sherman's Army is beginning to arrive at the camp.

GLC03603.340

23 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes of riding out with other officers to welcome Sherman's troops but getting lost and wet with rain along the way. He writes of seeing Mr. Birnie, Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Ripley in Richmond. He receives an order to escort the Springfield party "round the fortifications." He resists telling the guests the heroic tale of the 8th putting "the first colors on Ft. Harrison".

GLC03603.342

2 June 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He has just arrived in New York from Richmond and expects to reach New Haven very soon. He plans to see his Uncle William in Brooklyn.

GLC03603.343

27 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he rode to Division Headquarters a Captain and back as a civilian. He describes his plans to travel home, stopping to see his Uncle William. He hopes to find a "situation" in New York immediately.

GLC03603.344

27 November 1861

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Discusses provisions and recruiting. Written on patriotic stationery.

GLC04558.001

7 January 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Payday of $24.26, sees Vice President but has not seen Lincoln or McClellan. Rumors about their expedition. The letter is continued the next day. Written aboard the "Arracan"

GLC04558.006

9 January 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Washing clothes, food: "...sea buiskets which is a kind of very hard cracker. They taste pretty much like any other craker but I have about put my jaws out of joint chewing them but today they delt out pilot bread which is very much like soda crackers."

GLC04558.007

January 22, 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Traveling by ship, sea sickness: "I don't believe I have got over it yet for this eternal rocking heaving rolling bobing head [w]rong side up all the while." Cost of special food. Letter continued on 26th of January.

GLC04558.008

January 27, 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Raising tents, selling bread that he baked, size of expedition. Written on patriotic stationery. Encloses an envelope originally addressed to him as an example to his wife of how not to address envelopes.

GLC04558.009

February 4, 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Settled in camp, weather, price of food coming down.

GLC04558.010

12 March 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Fleet leaving for Newbern, drawing half-rations. "Yes, we are getting to be sober and steady, if we dont it is our own fault, for we have preaching almost every night..." Mentions that the official chaplain is lazy in providing mail and preaching. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.013

21 March 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Drill, shooting guns, health problems of other men. "The inhabitants are a hard miserable looking set what I have seen of them and the contrabands say that most of them are rebels at heart for all they have taken the oath of allegiance." Rumors of capture of Richmond, Manassas and Norfolk. Accidental shooting of Irishman and accidental bayoneting of another man. Gaining weight from good living. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.014

22 May 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Pay day. Describing feelings in battle: "If you want to know just how I felt when I went into battle it would be hard telling exactly but in the first place I felt most d---d tired other ways I felt well enough, wasn't at all afraid [of] the idea that we could be whiped by any number of rebels did not come into my head at all even after the Zouaves were driven back among us and I heard some of them say that they were all cut up and that the day was lost, I couldn't see the point." Almost struck by bullet in head. "I must say that I felt some 'savage'..."

GLC04558.015

28 March 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Continued on separate sheet. Wish to come home, regular inspections and drills, farm business, late pay, cost of food.

GLC04558.016

9 April 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Mails, expedition to Elizabeth City by other troops and desire to fight. New clothing, suggestions for farm management. The letter is continued the next day. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.017

15 April 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Preparations for march and expedition including cleaning guns, etc. Written on patriotic stationery. Written at Camp Dickinson.

GLC04558.018