22 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he knows nothing about his appointment. However, he predicts that he will not receive the appointment because the other applicants "are men of great influence." He is uncertain about entering the army because he does not have enough money to hire a substitute, would not buy one if he could, and doubts that a physician will grant him a certificate of disability.

GLC06582.54

25 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He still does not know about his application but hopes he will soon hear the results. He is unsure about when he will be home and for how long he will stay. Admits to not knowing what to write since he has not heard word from home. He writes "the city is agitated in relation to Fredericksburg." He describes Nannie Pendleton (evidently a cousin) as a "sweet & smart girl." He asks about the condition of his horse and rifle and if the dress for Liz and the handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy were well received. He mentions that Gen. Haymond does not want him to leave the city and will try to find…

GLC06582.55

27 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He is worried because his wife has not written. Thus he thinks she is sick or has been offended by his letters, and so asks her to write back. He informs her of the Yankees' position. He tells her "they have evacuated Manassas, Warrenton & all the country north & west of Falmonth," and are now at Fredsburg or "opposite to it." There, he writes, the Yankees will probably "go to Suffolk & attempt a movement from that place." However, he assures her that the army is not worried and is ready for Lee in front with his great army, able & willing to meet & repulse them." In…

GLC06582.56

3 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that he received her letter and is very thankful. He also mentions that he bought her several hairpins "and any other little articles I think you may need." He tells her of his departure which will be between the 16th and 20th, and explains that he is "now exempt from military service, being a Notary Public", and so will soon see her. He also mentions that he is worried because as " the weather grows winterish day by day," the poor will suffer more and more for they have nowhere to go and the wood is "at 18 & 20 dollars per cord." He also describes the Yankees' position. He…

GLC06582.57

6 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the day before was one of the worse days of the season. He mentions that at approximately four o'clock the guard cried out that some prisoners were escaping. He writes that it was later discovered that three prisoners escaped and that one used a rope made out of their bedclothes. While three made it out safely the fourth prisoner fell from the ripped rope thirty or forty feet downward. He thinks that the prison guards will be fired on Col. Pendleton's return. He is anxious to get home, as this has been the biggest separation yet. He writes in haste and will have to stop to go out…

GLC06582.58

7 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Enjoyed reading the letters she sent him by Bob Daniel despite the fact that they were weeks old. He also mentions receiving a letter written by her the same day but delivered by John Gibson. He asks her to tell John that the 16,000 Yankees are in Winchester and that the Confederate troops have fallen back at Strasburg. He mentions seeing Mr. Major and that he has told him that Mr. Beckman has sold his farm to Sterns who also bought Mr. Morton's farm at fifty dollars per acre. He begins to say that he does not think it "bad policy to sell real estate." He mentions some conditions on the…

GLC06582.59

December 11, 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that John will bring this letter up to her as well as a package of things for the family. He mentions that Uncle Jack got to Richmond last night. Says that Hansborough will be at their house within the next week or so she is to remember what he told her about him long ago. He was glad to get the long letter she sent him from Uncle Jack. He went to see the Assistant Secretary and his commission will be ready the following day. Comments on how her Aunt Mary, despite her faults, is a good woman and that he is sorry to hear of Mr. Beckham's situation.

GLC06582.60

15 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Since Uncle Jack will be going back up, George has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to write and send her this letter. He mentions that he has not heard from home since Jack left but expects that she has written to him. He writes that he will probably see her on Friday or Saturday. He says he has to wait for Col. Deas to get back from watching the enemy at "Fredsburg" to collect one hundred dollars. He comments that Fredricksburg is supposedly annihilated by the war with "hardly a house standing, uninjured, and a good portion of the town destroyed." Many people are living in tents…

GLC06582.61

19 December 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He writes that Uncle Jack has yet to be awarded a contract and that the Secretary of War has yet to sign his commission as Quarter Master. He mentions his "horrid dream" about her last night that bothered him all day. He says that Nannie Pendleton and Miss Buffington will go up with him and that she should expect them on Monday. He is anxious to be home. He says that he has no time to write any more. He will go to see if Uncle Jack's collar is done. He sends his love to all and closes the letter with the idea that they will soon see each other "after so long a separation."

GLC06582.62

February 17, 1863

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Ward writes that he's heard from a member of his company, Dave Poston, who was wounded in Perryville. Also writes that he has gotten fatter and has never enjoyed better health. He reports that federal troops are constantly getting secesh families out of Shelbyville and escorting them inside confederate lines. Writes that the men have learned to not get their hopes up for peace any time soon and states that "now we have concluded to place the limit of our trials to the end of Lincoln's administration." However, he writes "our boys are willing to suffer this and more, sooner than give up…

GLC02232.14

February 7, 1864

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Writes from Alabama. "[G]reat scarcity in the land…we are where we hear nothing & know nothing. I have tried to keep as unobserved as possible…It now takes $100 to buy a bunch of thread…Charlie has been made clerk of Wheeler's ordnance he writes it is "bomb proof place: and for the first time he cries with the wiley fire eaters hurra for the war…The desertions from the army are awful I don't see how they keep an army together at all. It is strange our leaders don't see the hand writing on the wall & make peace on the best terms they can get…Scouts still threaten occasionally to kill…

GLC02691.11.054

February 26, 1862

Holt, Talbert, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie Holt

Writes to his wife from Fort Gaines, Alabama. Reports that 12,000 of their men were taken at "ft Donaldson" (likely referring to the Battle of Fort Donelson, fought from 12-16 February 1862 in Kentucky).

GLC03061.02

26 April 1865

Wilson, A.N., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Wilson has enclosed with this letter another from a man who wrote a more detailed description of the death of Miller's uncle. He refers to the civil war as "The Rebellion."

GLC02691.11.083

29 April 1865

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Augustus discusses the fate of the prisoners the North has made of many Southern soldiers.

GLC02691.11.084

4 May 1865

Haughten, P., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Letter from another military officer acknowledging some of the pertinent circumstances of the impending surrender of the confederacy.

GLC02691.11.085

12 July 1897

Hudgins, F. L., fl. 1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

The heading reads "Capt. Miller A. Wright" (Miller is referred in accordance with his actual military rank of Colonel in all other correspondence after his promotion). Mr. Hudgins was remarkably unaware of the status of the man who he comfortably addresses as "Dear Comrade". Letter notifying Miller that there will be no change of date for the "reunion," presumably one for civil war veterans. Other information concerning the reunion is also provided.

GLC02691.11.098

1815-1860

Allman, Nancy, fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to grandson

A very religious letter urging her grandson to pray for God's help in battle and to "try to gow to sleep a praying as you don't know where the enimy is."

GLC02691.11.104

1815-1860

Wright, E., ?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Miller's stepmother writes to tell him that she has sent him food and to ask him to write more often. She thinks she will go to Richmond soon.

GLC02691.11.105

16 May 1861

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

[quoted in entirety] "Dear Son, I don't want you to go to the war until I see you. If I go I want to take you with me. I may be at home after a few days. Yours Affectionately, Augustus R. Wright."

GLC02691.11.008

July 1861

Wright, M.Y., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

[sister] Miller's family is going to send him "a box of good things." Miller's sister will contribute a pudding and some potatoes. Meanwhile, she writes, on one part urging Miller to keep safe, on another, relaying the latest news. Augustus has just left for Richmond, and with him, seemingly, the whole town. "The town looks so deserted, I'm almost afraid to stay at home," she explains.

GLC02691.11.009

1815-1860

Wright, E.A., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

[step-mother] E. A. is concerned about his life and safety in the Army. She is going to make him a coat, but this task is made difficult by the fact that little cotton had been planted that year.

GLC02691.11.010

29 July 1861

Flora, fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

[cousin] She has not been able to reach him in a long while. She heard that he was to leave for Richmond. News of cousin Charly's death proved to be a false report. She is sorry that the abundance of food she is enjoying is not available to the masses of hungry soldiers.

GLC02691.11.012

8 August 1861

Wright, E.A., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

[step-mother] E.A. Wright is back in Georgia. Her husband, Augustus has recently sent word that he is uncertain as to how long he will have to remain in Richmond. E.A. hopes that Miller will be stationed at or near Richmond, presumably so that contact between family members would be more easily facilitated.

GLC02691.11.014

12 September 1861

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Augustus is glad that his son is in good health, though he warns of the perils of typhoid fever. e expresses greetings from the whole family, and tells of all of the luscious ham and cakes that they have sent Miller.

GLC02691.11.016

27 September 1861

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Miller A. Wright

Augustus hears of Miller's new location at Lewis Bay. He would rather that Miller had been ordered anywhere else but there. He will do his best to have Miller transferred. Meanwhile, he suggests that Miller write home more often.

GLC02691.11.017