5 June 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from Coal Harbor, Virginia. He refers to his survival of the Battle of Coal Harbor, 1 June,1865 and speaks of God and Providence in sparing him. States they are marching on to Richmond and he expects to be there within 60 days. References losses in his company and the lack of mail delivery. Sends his love to the children and tells his wife "...to keep up your courage..."

GLC03523.06.06

10 October 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions they are waiting for General Ulysses S. Grant to bring in reinforcements. Comments that his rheumatism is bothering him and he writes of a possible furlough in order to help his wife prepare for the winter. Expresses sorrow for the new recruits and what they will experience in "this cruel war." States that his hopes are high that the war will soon be over. The letter is four pages with a fifth page written vertically over existing writing.

GLC03523.06.07

30 October 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from camp "right in front of Petersburg," Virginia. Writes about heavy fighting; "our boys mowed the Rebels down like wheat" and took two thousand prisoners. Reports that one hundred volunteers charged and captured a Rebel fort. Comments that the cannon fire intense, noise deafened him for two days. States they are cutting off road and railroad access. Offers his opinion on domestic matters, including the purchase of new chairs and a set of china.

GLC03523.06.08

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from City Point, Virginia says the siege is progressing slowly. Informs that General William T. Sherman captured Savannah. Discusses his wife joining a sewing society to make clothing for the soldiers and he questions what type of clothes they will make. He misses home and tells his daughters, Eunice and Ally, to work very hard on their writing skills, and promises buy his son Charlie a horse when he returns from the war.

GLC03523.06.09

8 December 1864

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near City Point, Virginia. Reports that he has been in the hospital with rheumatism and is pleased with his care. Informs he is doing picket duty on the Appomattox River and mentions seeing Rebels. Wishes for a furlough, but knows only wounded men will get one. Advises his daughter Eunice to stay home to study and help her mother. In a postscript, writes he is sending his badge in the letter, "so in case we are wounded or killed they will know to what corps we belong to." A double sided page of the letter is in three pieces. A few lines are missing.

GLC03523.06.10

12 March 1865

Fairchild, Lewis D., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sephronia Fairchild

Fairchild writes to his wife from a camp near Petersburg, Virginia. Mentions that men are getting furloughs if their wives are sick. Relates that a deserter was hung, "...it did look awful to see a human being launch in erternity so quick..." Advises his wife to use his bounty if she needs it to make life more comfortable.

GLC03523.06.11

31 May 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes favorable news from Vicksburg that Grant has captured many prisoners and canons. He spent his birthday on picket while it rained all day and night. Updates his family on camp news and his activities. On a separate sheet dated Sunday evening, Wheeler writes about the upcoming brigade inspection of surplus tents and baggage. He expects to leave for Murfreesboro soon. Writes that pup tents will be used for the summer. Also includes news of freight boats leaving from Louisville to Nashville. Pages five to seven of this letter are a different size from the size given in the extent…

GLC07460.033

26 May 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from Camp Shiloh. States they have nothing to do, but expects to meet the Rebels in a few days. Mentions that 30 Rebels surrender every day. Complains that the apples she sent him did not arrive, but all her letters do. Informs her he sent her a letter with a gold dollar in it. Envelope includes patriotic imagery.

GLC03523.03.07

19 August 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from a camp in Battle Creek. Inquires about drafting in Ohio and complains of being sick. States he does not want to be discharged due to his lame arm unless he becomes totally disabled. Reports the troops are happy with the return of Colonel William Gibson.

GLC03523.03.08

19 August 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp in Battle Creek. Reports they are waiting for more men to arrive and help guard the railroad. Informs him that a Lieutenant from the Rebel army deserted and stated the Confederate force in Chattanooga is 80,000. Mentions they are building a fort for protection. Expresses pleasure at the return of Colonel William Gibson. Says there is plenty of food and he is living well.

GLC03523.03.09

25 October 1862

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp outside of Green River. Says they will go to Nashville next. Mentions that many soldiers from the Ohio 49th Infantry have deserted. Comments that there has been no fighting for him since Shiloh. Doesn't know where Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops are, but states that "...if they give us a chance at bragg we can whip them." Discusses the arrival of tents, and mentions the general good health of the 49th. Envelope has image and the slogan "Remember Ellsworth," who was a Union Colonel and the first casualty of the Civil War.

GLC03523.03.10

17 November 1862

Bope, John, 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father mentioning that Union General William Rosencrans has taken over his division. Informs him of their march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the skirmishes along the way. Mentions that a member of Company "D" accidentally shot himself in the foot. Complains he cannot get boots large enough and goes barefoot much of the time. Asks him to send a pair along with apple butter and butter. Envelope has image of Union flag.

GLC03523.03.11

25 August 1863

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from camp at Bellefonte and complains of the march over the Cumberland mountains. He "fell out" of the march for the first time due to excessive heat. Comments on the "Copperheads" in Ohio. Expresses anger at a friend who joined the Copperheads.

GLC03523.03.12

2 October 1863

Bope, Conrad, 1839-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bope Sr.

Bope writes to his father from a camp outside Chattanooga after a fierce battle with Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops for control of Chattanooga. Praises the bravery of the Union soldiers despite being outnumbered. Describes the battle in detail. Discusses the upcoming election in Ohio.

GLC03523.03.13

25 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

The top edge of the letter has been cut resulting in the loss of some text. Wheeler writes that there has been some conflict amongst the officers of Co. C, primarily between Captain Fields and Lieut. Burst. As a result of this conflict, Colonel Dustin has been keeping a close eye on the officers and given them a warning. Relates that some fighting has been reported and it is said that Rosecrans has gathered 35,000 cavalry to attack the enemy. He writes however, that the truth of the event will be heard of in the newspapers. The company has received word that Morgan is seventy miles…

GLC07460.036

28 June 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the food they sent him and requests that they send him some emery paper (for filing his gun), tea, and pepper. Reports that Rosecrans has taken five or six hundred rebel prisoners to Nashville. Writes that rebels planted two underground shells on the railroad tracks which caused severe damage to the tracks but resulted in no casualties to either army. Discusses spending the fourth of July in Dixie land. He also reports that furloughs will only be granted with a recommendation from a doctor. Pages five and six differ in size from pages one to four.

GLC07460.037

February 2, 1864

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Writes to his mother thanking her for letters, a photograph, and a box which contained dried fruit, corn, beans, cheese, and tongue. Tells her that when she writes to his brother Theodore she "must encourage him to presevere, also to learn to sing and play chess, anything to keep him out of the city, which I am told is full of wickedness." Discusses his parents' decision to move back to Albany: "In the city there will be better church and school privilages, you will be surrounded by friends, and will have a better chance to obtain help in the house. On the other hand in the country you have…

GLC03523.05.20

17 May 1864

Goold, Theodore, 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Writes to his parents from Emory Hospital informing them that he is not very sick and will probably be well in two weeks. He has not heard anything from his brother James, but speculates that he has been taken prisoner. Tells them that he has received a pass to "fall to the rear on account of his sickness," which he says is "slight, it is a touch of the Rhumatism..."

GLC03523.05.22

23 September 1861

Henry, William, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Henry

Henry writes to his uncle John reporting on his cousin Josiah Henry's enlistment process. Mentions that Josiah put his glasses in his pocket in order to be accepted. Expresses deep sorrow as he watched Josiah's train leave for Washington, D.C. Reports Josiah will be sending money to him. Includes a scrap from a diary with short note to his uncle Ansel, not signed. Envelope has a patriotic emblem.

GLC03523.07.02

January 16, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Tells his parents that he received most of his back mail when he went back to the regiment yesterday: "I received by the same mail an envelope from home with pepper in it, though the envelope had been torn and most of the pepper had been spilled." Describes in great detail the mail and newspapers he received. Tells his parents that he received a letter from Sammy, whom he does not "care anything about" and speculates that he is going to be a "bad boy" as there is too much "'Young America'" in his letters. He also tells them that he had a visit from Cousin James, who was looking for a letter…

GLC03523.05.08

January 16, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Johnnie

Tells his brother that he received his letter and apologizes that he has to write such a short letter in return, but he is expecting to march tomorrow. Mentions that he received a letter from Theodore, another brother, and that he is doing well. Describes the windy and cold weather. Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.09

February 2, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes to his brother (possibly Johnny, based on content) about his tent and the people he shares it with: "They are both good natured, and willing to do their share towards making the tent comfortable, but neither of them are such men as I should choose for companions any where else, they both swear, and they are both very vulgar, and in fact these are the two most common vices in the army, there is hardly a man, that I have any acquaintance with, at all, in the army, who is not wholly given up to them." Tells his brother that he prays for "strength to enable me to resist every temptation…

GLC03523.05.10

February 2, 1863

Goold, Theodore, 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. Goold

Tells his father that they have not been paid yet, but will send the remainder of his money to Uncle Francis. Letter discusses the mild winter they are having and what will happen at the farm in the spring. States that the letter is short because he must go on guard soon.

GLC03523.05.11

February 25, 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John S. and Abby Goold

Writes to his parents about the different letters that he has received. Tells them, "I have destroyed all my old letters - burned them up. I had so many that they were in the way. I shall burn all that receive hereafter, as soon as I answer them." He also reports that his brother Theodore was given a sword and revolver to look after by a Lieutenant. Theodore lost the sword and now is expected to pay for it. Describes his visit with a doctor. "The doctor gave me the same kind of medicine that he gave me for the dysentery at Sharpsburgh, - perhaps he leaves it to the imagination, to effect a…

GLC03523.05.12

8 March 1863

Goold, James, 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abby Goold

Tells his mother about the temperance book Aunt Jane sent to Cousin James, which was passed along to him. The boys in the guard make fun of him for reading the book, but he doesn't mind as he has gotten used to the teasing. Tells her that he wishes his brother Theodore could go home and help, and that he would be a better worker now that he has been a soldier. Confides to her that he does not like soldiering, and never has: "I must put up with it, and get along the best I can, till the time comes for me to go home." Written in graphite.

GLC03523.05.13