January 5, 1862

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Map

Title: [Depiction of the battle of Chickasaw Bayou]

Drawn by Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Depicts the Yazoo River, fleet location, Confederate fortifications, Chickasaw Bayou, the Mississippi River, and the Vicksburg Texas Railroad, among other details. Indicates the line of battle, position of Gorsuch's regiment, and Union batteries. This map is possibly the map transmitted within a letter Gorsuch wrote to his uncle Joseph Curtis 5 January 1863 (refer to GLC00653.09.01). Fragile, including a slightly torn crease.

GLC00653.09.02

February 1, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph and his wife

Written in the field near Vicksburg, on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, discusses recent Union attempts to take Vicksburg, Mississippi by way of a constructed canal. He writes: "You need not be troubled but what we will take Vicksburg, but I confess that I consider it very doubtful whether we will now. If we do take it, it will be by very hard fighting. The rebels appreciate the importance of this point as well as we do... I hope that our Generals will not waste any more valuable lives... Bayonet charges are very…

GLC00653.09.03

4 March 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Brother

Sends news home. Comments on food including having a "porter house steak" for "Carnivale," weather conditions, and his schedule. Discusses supplies and surgeons for Wisconsin Regiments, with autograph letter signed on verso from Alida McParlin.

GLC02649.11

17 March 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. McParlin

Discusses the need for medical supplies, commenting that "The sickness at Camp Douglas is on the decline - but the prisoners of war at Camp Butler near Springfield are reported as having much sickness among them." Comments on his impression of Chicago and the traffic on the river running through the city. Notes his plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Discusses financial matters including Congressional plans to cut his salary. Notes "Treasury notes is the best currency here except of course gold & silver. Bank notes are brought from Connecticut, N.Y., Massachusetts, Vermont & New…

GLC02649.13

2 September 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

A short letter to his wife, saying he will write more later. Indicates he will be going out to the 5th Corps in the morning. Notes his good health. On the verso is Dr. McParlin's title and office, indicating the stationery was for official business.

GLC02649.14

16 September 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

Acknowledges receiving his wife's letter. Comments on the return of the Naval Academy to Annapolis, and the government's ability to build hospitals. Discusses his department and military matters, taxes, and Alida's restlessness, and the brigadier general brevet of R.S. Satterlee. Says "I hear that the draft is ordered to proceed at once." Notes at the top of page one that he is "in excellent health."

GLC02649.15

27 November 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida Roca McParlin

McParlin sends news of himself and asks for more letters from his wife. Writes about life and work at the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. Comments on religion, friends, and food. Has been so cold that he has been using his "buffalo robe." Troops and officers received apples from the "patriotic merchants" of New York and turkey as well for Thanksgiving. There is text loss where the year was written and elsewhere along the edges of the paper.

GLC02649.39

1861-1865

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter

Title: to Alida McParlin

Incomplete letter fragment discussing California and Europe, and McParlin's wish to see his wife.

GLC02649.44

10 September 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

A Union lieutenant in the 1st Connecticut Artillery offers his opinion of McClellan's presidential campaign. " ... Gen. Mc Clellan's election, on the platform of the late convention I do not think he stands any sight whatever. It is decidedly a peace platform. I doubt if he will get many votes from the soldiers ... In fact I hear many soldiers already denouncing him ... Perhaps if he would come out with a strong war acceptance these things may be changed ... I think the majority of the soldiers are for Lincoln." Also discusses everyday things like what he has been eating; codfish,…

GLC03523.20.16

5 August 1862

Hallidy, Adam, M., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret McClelland

Writes to his friend about the hot weather and having received the letter she wrote yesterday. Mentions having received two New York newspapers to keep him informed of what is going on at home. Asks about her plans to travel while he is gone. Encourages her to continue mingling with society. Wonders why she answered his questions cooly and decides that when they meet in person, he will settle the issue. Written from Camp Wadsworth. Addressed to "Maggie."

GLC05522.01

19 May 1863

Hallidy, Adam, M., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret McClelland

Discusses their correspondence and his improving health. Asks about her stay at her aunt's house and whether she has begun work yet. Written from the Cliffburn Barracks. Includes an incomplete reply from Maggie on page two regarding her health. Addressed to "Maggie."

GLC05522.02

31 July 1863

Hallidy, Adam, M., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret McClelland

Discusses the significance of their correspondence. Describes his daily activities. Reports accompanying rioters from the New York Draft Riots to the old capitol prison to await court martial. Writes that after they see their new quarters, the prisoners won't be so quick to riot in the near future. Adds that the draft ends in Washington tomorrow and there will be much rejoicing. Addressed to "Maggie." Written from the Cliffburn Barracks.

GLC05522.03

6 July 1864

Hallidy, Adam, M., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Hallidy

Reports having received a letter from Maggie dated 5 February, when she was still Miss McClelland, not Mrs. Hallidy. Includes his transcription of that letter which announces the receipt of his ring and $50, and her acceptance of his proposal. Ponders the possibilities of what would have been if he had received this letter months before. Reflects and comments on the letter. Written from the woods near camp. First letter as Maggie's husband, addressed to "Little Mack." Handwriting is more elegant than the first three letters, though there are similarities in style and signature. Imprint…

GLC05522.04

February 11, 1865

Hallidy, Adam, M., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Hallidy

Replies to Maggie's letter about her serious cold and admits his deep fear of losing her to tuberculosis. Mentions his recent cold and his home remedy to cure it. Assures her that if she needs anything he will try to send her money if he can. Promises to send her another Chronicle and a long love letter. Written from the General Court Martial Rooms. Handwriting is more elegant than the first three letters, though there are similarities in style and signature. Same handwriting as GLC05522.04.

GLC05522.05

20 October 1864

Hincks, Edward W., 1830-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Nichols

Forwards to Nichols money to be invested and gives instructions specifying what companies in which to invest. Directs that he wants his funds invested, " ... as if I was sure of the permanency and good credit of the government, for my confidence in that result is unlimited." Ends by discussing war matters and states, "What brilliant news we are receiving; [Jefferson] Davis and [Union General George] McClellan will hardly be able to withstand many more such victories of the Republic. Let the tide of victory roll on in Virginia and Georgia and the rebels will hardly be able to defeat us in…

GLC03212.02

2 June 1865

Hincks, Edward W., 1830-1894

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Nichols

Discusses investments and his financial affairs. Informs that he will invest $5000 in the Sycamore local mines and will be involved in the organization of the company. States he is currently receiving troops for muster out and final pay. Comments that he is very busy as 2,500 come each day and he expects 25,000 in total. On stationery printed with "Office Chief U. S. Must'g and Disb'g Officer, Western Division of Pennsylvania."

GLC03212.04

August 1862-October 1863

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

Header Record

Title: [Civil War letters of Grove Bell, a private in the Union Army] [decimalized]

This collection is a series of 15 letters and one printed poem from Private Grove Bell to a number of recipients, including his sister. The poem is dedicated to the Ladies of Portland, Connecticut, Bell's hometown. Private Bell enlisted in the 20th Connecticut Infantry on August 4, 1862. He was mustered into D Company. In 1862 and 1863 the 20th Connecticut fought as part of the Army of the Potomac and saw action in Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Although Bell survived extensive action in both these battles, he died on December 4, 1863. Highlights of the collection include a letter…

GLC08913

September 1862- July 1876

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Peter E. Rifenburgh and Louis Brooks, 128th regiment, New York, infantry] [decimalized]

This collection consists mostly of a series of letters from Private Peter E. Rifenburgh and Sergeant Louis Brooks of Clermont, New York. Private Rifenburgh enlisted in the Union army on August 12, 1862, when he was 19, in Germantown, New York. On August 22, he was mustered into K Company of the 128th New York Infantry regiment. The next day, the 128th left for Baltimore, Maryland. From there, the regiment travelled to New Orleans by way of Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. In January, 1863, Rifenburgh's regiment was assigned to General William T. Sherman's division. It took part in both of…

GLC08914

1862

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Grier Maitland

Written on "Monday, 25th/62" from a Camp near Richmond Kentucky to his brother. Indicates that a messenger reported that Richmond had been attacked by Rebel calvary, detailing their trip down to assist the troops who were already there. Asks that his letter be addresses to "Co. G, 95th Reg. O.V.I in care of Capt. Hammock, Richmond, Kentucky."

GLC03523.10.043

26 August 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Communicates with his brother-in-law from Kingston, Champaign County. Mentions that he thinks he will receive the appointment of Major soon. Describes a visit to the doctor, detailing how the office was full of people trying to escape the draft.

GLC03523.10.044

31 August 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Discusses the draft with his son, writing that "volunteering has about ceased I don't hear of any volunteers for the Odd Regiments." Short note at the bottom of the letter dated September 1, 1862 which gives updates on the family's health.

GLC03523.10.045

16 September 1862

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Reports to Bell, possibly his friend or girlfriend, from Camp Chase that he wanted to come down for a visit, but his buggy has been broken. Asks that she direct future letters to, "Camp Chase, Co G. 95 Reg, O.V.I. Care Capt. Hannock."

GLC03523.10.046

3 October 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast [incomplete]

Writes to his brother-in-law giving him updates on different members of the community. Reports on the whereabouts of Joseph, his son's, military regiment. Describes a battle that Joseph wrote to him about, which involved General William Nelson, writing that "the Bullets flew like hail and one of them came so close that it skinned his nose." Letter is incomplete and unsigned.

GLC03523.10.047

9 October 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother-in-law that Joseph, his son, has been sick and is at home getting well. Mentions that "the boys feel a great reluctance in going to Camp Thomas to be drilled to be sent to fight the Indians. They think the U.S. Government has no control over them."

GLC03523.10.048

14 October 1862

Petty, John S., 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Grier [Maitland]

Letter addressed to his friend, "My Dear Grier." Talks about joining the army and now being "emphatically U.S. boys." Inquires about the state of Elhanan Mast's health. Mast might have been an uncle or a cousin. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.10.049