20 May 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Reports there are 1200 soldiers there. Complains of sleeping on the cold ground with no blanket for a few nights. Says they are divided into squads of eight men who share a tent. Mentions they do their own cooking and drill everyday. Expects his uniform soon.

GLC03523.31.02

27 May 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Expresses gratitude for her letter and says when the mail arrives, the soldiers "...flock to the office like sheep." Says once the letters are read the band plays "the girl I left behind." Reports his regiment is waiting to be received into the service of the general government, and if refused, they will return home next month. Mentions they have received their uniforms and muskets from Harper's Ferry. Discusses a large fight that took place in camp resulting in a lot of structural damage. Explains some of the troops were unhappy with the…

GLC03523.31.03

10 June 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Goodell. Reflects on the possibility of being killed. Reports his regiment is now part of the U.S. Army under Union General George B. McClellan, and they will be moving to western Virginia. Letter is very faded and largely illegible, with a Union emblem.

GLC03523.31.04

3 July 1861

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Camp Pope. Discusses his loneliness for the female sex, "You know it is not nature to be thus alone." Mentions shaving his whiskers close to his face and getting a severe cold. Comments on the constant rain, damp clothing, and difficult marches. Describes the tent structure of the camp, "... all arranged in beautiful order like streets in a city..." Remarks that two men had been shot, one very seriously. Describes the severely injured man's prayer, "... O Lord let me live this time." Reports the Lord must have heard the man's prayer because he lived. Says…

GLC03523.31.05

21 March 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The camp is having a day of rest so Damuth writes to his sister. The men have marched 119 miles in seven days and are heading for Alexandria. The 29th Wisconsin is traveling with the 19th Army Corps, an eastern regiment who "have not seen much if any fighting" and are in awe of Damuth and his seasoned fellow soldiers. Describes the routine of the men in the company. The men have been stealing from a nearby plantation. Southerners complain about the thieves, but Damuth believes "this is a very rich country" and that the Union soldiers enjoy stealing from the Rebels more than eating their…

GLC03523.14.51

22 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to his son that "I learned further through your chaplain that rigorous measures would be adopted to take those Boys back that had left and punish them. I repeat to you that we would like to see you but unless you can get a pass I think it would not be advisable to come..."

GLC03523.10.056

February 21, 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to [William Grier Maitland] [incomplete]

Informs brother, from Fort Pickering, that three men from his regiment died last night from illness. Reports that there is news of "guerillas" burning a steamboat a few miles outside of Memphis, speculating that everyone was taken prisoner. Tells him that upon hearing this, his regiment fired shells at them from their Gun Boats and the next day he could see Rebel Calvary crossing into Hopefield. Letter incomplete and unsigned.

GLC03523.10.060

8 March 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to son about the death of a family friend, Ben Morgan. Writes that "I asked him of his hope of Heaven. He said it was strong, strong enough to bear him over the Jordon of waters." Instructs his son to make himself acquainted with his officers, as it will be helpful later. States, "I am in favor of calling out a sufficient force to end the War at once for we have been having too much of a [temporising] policy. I am in favor also as the War has run into the Negro as strongly drafting every Negro in the North and then let those Ultra abolitionists go with them as officers see what they…

GLC03523.10.061

9 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin plans to leave Helena tomorrow. Writes again on the 10 April as the 29th Wisconsin and 2nd Ohio Battery start out. Damuth is still uncertain of their destination. Mentions that his four months pay should be coming soon. Has considered joining one of the regiments of black soldiers.

GLC03523.14.20

11 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Written on board the steamer Charles Bowen. The regiment is heading toward Youngs Point, "oposit Vicksburgh." It is Damuth's birthday, he is twenty-four years old. Has been recommended by his colonel and General McGinnis for possible organizer of a "negro Regt." The pay is better, an obvious incentive for Damuth. He has just been paid $20 and sends half of it home.

GLC03523.14.21

15 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [John Damuth]

Writes that the soldiers have camped in an old plantation. Describes Louisiana as "the most beautiful place I ever saw such fruit trees all kinds." Plans to send a rose "that grew away down South in Dixie." Of the coming fighting, Damuth writes that the soldiers are eager to begin and "when you hear that Vixburgh is taken and the 29th was in the fight…you ought to be proud." The camp ground is 25 miles above Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.22

28 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John and Joan Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin left its plantation campground, and has been on the march since. In the woods, they find evidence of rebel building projects and bridges. Damuth and a group of men go out to fix up the roads ahead. Describes their meals on the march. All men have been ordered to carry 100 rounds of cartridges and the camp doctors are preparing their field instruments. There is general excitement and Damuth describes the soldiers behaving "as if they were going to a place of amusement." Written from "40 miles below Vicksburg, Louisiana."

GLC03523.14.23

9 May 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The 29th are still on the march. Curtis has taken a party of men to Grand Gulph to guard a train if provisions. There is little food among the marching men, who have been reduced to killing stolen animals and eating dried corn - "when a felow gets up in the morning with nothing to eat but popcorn it will make him think of his mothers cupboard."

GLC03523.14.24

19 May 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents Brothers & Sisters

Writes quickly to tell his family that he has survived "another hard fought Battle." Lists the many soldiers from his company who have been killed. His division has lost a total of 1,300 men. The battle was fought on 16 May and the men have stayed to bury the dead. Postscript from 20 May locates Damuth "on Black River by the Rail Road Bridge."

GLC03523.14.25

29 May 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes of promotions among the men after the battle of Champion Hill. His own feelings on promotion are strong: "I am more ambitious to see this war end so that I can get home once more than I am to get an office." Damuth is the only sergeant left fit for duty in his company. Has allotted $12 of his monthly pay to be sent home for his family. Confides that "I have $28 in my britches now and the reason is that thear is nothing to buy." Many "relics of the Battle field" have been sent to Wisconsin and Damuth urges his family to go and view them. Predicts that no men will be lost in…

GLC03523.14.26

9 June 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Has just learned that it is Sunday, and writes that "I never have seen a day since I have been South that realy seemed like our old fashion Sundays that we used to have up north." Has been suffering from dysentery. Describes what it is like to be a sharp shooter, watching "Rebels sticking thear heads up over thear rifle pits then we would give it to them." The men have built a "Bullet proof" shanty from rails and bark. Adjusting well to battle, Damuth writes that he barely notices the sound of cannon and shoots at the Rebels as easily as he used to attend drill. Speculates on life after…

GLC03523.14.27

20 June 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to thanks his sister for a package she has sent him, "I think more of the handkerchief than any thing." Describes the evening before when, on picket, "we could here the rebels sing Methodist hyms I think they are all like devils very pious when they get in a dangerous place." Gives details of a bombardment of Rebel lines in the morning. A new general is coming to replace McClernand, since he "done some thing the day they made the charge that dident suit Grant." Their new general is named Orff. Opines that Northern Democrats have been patriotic "onely to save thear own cowardly…

GLC03523.14.28

24 June 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Describes the daily routine of the soldiers, who "sharp shoot day times and stand picket and dig rifle pits nights." Some men are about to attempt to infiltrate a nearby Rebel fort. The life of the soldiers laying siege to Vicksburg is filled with constant strain, and Damuth describes being woken in the middle of the night to stand guard in the pouring rain. Complains of the alarm, "I wish we could get out of this place for a little while so we could pul our pants off at night I have not had mine off in almost three months." Sends home a half-filled canteen he took off a Rebel soldier at…

GLC03523.14.29

2 July 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Complains of boils all over his legs. Firing on Rebel lines continues and "yesterday our men blew up another of thear Forts." Rails against Democrats as traitors and tells his sister not to spend any money at stores owned by Wisconsin Democrats. Damuth has become orderly sergeant, and his pay been raised to $20 a month. Describes the problem soldiers have with "grey backs," or body lice, even in the cleanest camps.

GLC03523.14.30

3 July 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Rebels are flying flags of truce and Grant has declared "that the surrender must be unconditionly and compleat." Describes "a friendly chat" between Union and Rebel soldiers, taking place as they stood in their picket lines.

GLC03523.14.31

5 July 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes about the surrender of Vicksburg the day before: "you could see white flags on all of thear works it was the happyest 4th of July I ever saw." Is going on an expedition to Black River. Describes the defeated Rebels scavenging for food. The Union troops give them "all we can spare."

GLC03523.14.32

20 August 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's regiment has moved from Natchez, Mississippi, to New Orleans, where "we have a good cool breeze right off the Salt water." Describes the trip down the river. Some deserters are left off the boat at Port Hudson and Damuth proclaims, "I had rather be a soldier in the rebel army than a deserter from ours." The men also pass Baton Rouge. In Carlton, Damuth and a friend breakfast on oysters and beer. There are peddlers everywhere selling cheap goods to the soldiers. Damuth is eager to explore New Orleans.

GLC03523.14.33

26 August 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The men have marching orders but no information about how long they will stay in New Orleans. Damuth reminisces about Grant's succinct orders. Believes they will travel to "[Mobile] or Texas." Writes that the weather is mild, "I have seen warmer days up North than I ever saw here." General Banks and General Washburn reviewed the troops a few days before and "it was a grand sight we could see all the troops and the city of New Orleans."

GLC03523.14.34

31 August 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes on paper sent to him by his sister and teases, "I guess you thought if you sent this size paper you would get large letters." She has also sent him some socks, and Damuth thanks her for them but adds, "I think I would rather be the one that stays at home and knits them than to be the one that stays down here and wears them out." Some men are being discharged for illness, but on the whole, the company is well and eating fresh food. Though the men have marching orders, they have had them "so long that I dont depend much on them. We are soldiering now more as the army under McClellen…

GLC03523.14.35

1 October 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

The soldiers have been setting up camp in Berwick, tearing down old buildings and establishing their own quarters. It rains all the time and the men are woken in the night with their tents flooded, but they make the best of it. Damuth writes that he is only homesick when the weather is beautiful. He has been asked to name one of the children born into his family during his absence and suggests "if you want to name him after as great & good a man as ever lived call him Old Abe if after the meanest one call him after any Copper head." Of the next orders for the regiment, Damuth writes…

GLC03523.14.36