September 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler writes that a few men from his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois are at camp including his brother-in-law Darius Spohn. He reports that while the soldier's wives visit, they mend and alter clothes, and accompany their husbands to the city at night. He reprimands his sister for writing bitter letters to Darius and complaining about Lysander and Darius volunteering. Wheeler expresses that he would rather be dead than "have nothing to do in putting down this accursed Rebellion". In defense of Darius, he writes that his brother-in-law is "engaged in the noblest work he can be next to…

GLC07460.001

11 June 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edith M. Phelps

Writes to his sister from Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania. Mentions that they are under strict rules in the camp; two pages of paper are issued each day to a company and they can wash in the river every other day. Writes about a fellow who was court marshaled yesterday for striking an officer. The man had to spend five days imprisoned; he was then marched out of camp and taken to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was given a new suit and 30 dollars. Most of the camp took the man's side because the officer had abused him. A fight later broke out in camp where some men pushed the guards around.…

GLC03523.49.01

18 November 1862

Nugent, John Perry, 1844-1920

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anne L. Nugent

Writes to his mother because he has the opportunity to send a letter by hand. Comments that his shoes wore out and he had to walk 500 miles through Kentucky barefoot. Clothing and shoes in his unit are in similarly bad condition. Reports that his health is bad; he has had diarrhea for two months and still has it. He wants to return home on furlough, but his General will not allow it. A sister of an acquaintance has sent him socks. Notes that his company started with 112 men; it is now at 47. The captain has returned home to gather more conscripts under the draft. Speaks highly of the…

GLC03135.01.05

23 June 1864

Clifton, A. D., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sallie Clifton

Written from camp near [Colombus]. Describes a sore on his arm and the swelling it has caused. Teases her about the number of shirts she sent him and tells her the weight of them is ruining his horse's back. Assures her of his safety and says he has faith God will allow him to see his family again. Writes, "I hope to meete god at the judgement bare and then be welcome to a seete onn his right hand and it is my prayers that you may be prepared to go with me thare to dwell in piece and happiness where there is no wars and pestilence..." Complains about the contempt other regiments feel…

GLC03135.09.05

9 November 1860

Braithwaite, Mary, fl. 1860-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Sayles

Discusses the upcoming presidential election. Writes about the Prince of Wales, Edward Albert, passing through the area. Comments that they had special train cars (the royal train) that were done up in the most beautiful style. Describes the train cars as having silk velvet sofas, white muslin curtains, and rocking chairs. Inquires about the attire that the ladies wear and wants her to send some of the material.

GLC03523.32.01

6 January 1865

Howe, Nathan, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Informs Reeser that he received the money, stamps, boots, and gloves that were sent to him but has not received the tobacco. Writes of a man named Polk being in the hospital. Speaks of this "god dam war," General [William T.] Sherman, and other "felows." Wishes Reeser well and ask him to write back.

GLC03523.43.22

circa 1861-1865

Object

Title: [Civil war era belt]

Black leather belt with faded striped red and gold overlay. The belt has a heavy rectangular metal buckle with an eagle emblem and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Fragile. Leather rotting and cracking in places. Fabric is slightly deteriorated.

GLC03523.43.28

circa 1861-1865

Object

Title: [Civil war era suspenders]

Black leather suspender with faded striped red and gold overlay. The suspender has gold toned hardware on it. Fragile. Leather rotting and cracking in places. Fabric is slightly deteriorated.

GLC03523.43.29

11 July 1861

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father

Writes to his father from Camp Curtain. Says that they received marching orders to leave tomorrow morning. Says that they might go to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania but it is not for certain. The Captain said that they might be in the hottest part of the battle and the boys are delighted at the prospect. Reports of receiving their arms which are "old rusty muskets that our four fathers used in the Revolution." Describes mailing his and the boys' clothes back home. They mailed them by express but did not pay freight because they didn't know the cost. Tells his father to divide the freight…

GLC03523.49.02

circa June 1, 1864

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister and parents

Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Frémont. Comments about General Ord being their old Brigade General and that everyone hated to see him leave. Writes that he sent home a new dress coat and $18. The letter is dated 1 June but a year is not given.

GLC03523.49.16

9 May 1862

Gordon, G., fl. 1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs Mrs. Russell that her husband, E. S. Russell, passed away last night. Describes him as having suffered greatly his last few days but when he finally passed away it was easy. Believes that he "is now in the full enjoyment of that rest which remains for the people of God." Informs her that Russell received a letter from his brother the day before his death but that he was unable to see it due to his suffering and loss of hearing and sight. Tells her that the steward will send her husband's knapsack and clothing to her. Writes that he is buried in a beautiful spot in Cape Hill…

GLC03523.50.16

27 May 1862

Gordon, G., fl. 1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs Mrs. Russell that if some of her husband's clothing is missing that it probably got mixed up with other people's. Explains to her that often the men who arrive from camp are so sick that they cannot take of their own baggage and that it is impossible to prevent some things from being mixed up. Writes that other than what Mr. Russell was buried in he believes that she has every article of clothing that was known to belong to her husband. Informs her that the clothes that were given to her husband while at the hospital get returned to the hospital. States that the $1.75 that Mr.…

GLC03523.50.17

4 December 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports that his new boots and stockings fit perfectly. Discusses how long a man named Knap will be able to stick it out in the services. Believes that Knap will have a hard time getting out of the service once he is ready to quit. Writes of different people back home. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

GLC03523.32.27

22 December 1863

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isora Skinkle

Writes to his sister from camp. Comments that she looked quite lean in her picture, but he has never been fatter. Reports that the lieutenant bet five dollars that the war will be over soon and that they will be able to go home by June and that most of the officers agree. Writes that they have more bread than they can eat. Informs her that he received a pair of socks in the mail. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.32.29

17 September 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Reports it is quiet in camp. Notes they are still waiting to hear from Washington, D.C. regarding their case. Discusses his fathers offer to take his place in the war. Comments he does not believe his father would be happy here and when he leaves the army he wants it to be permanently. Requests he send his boots by mail.

GLC03523.52.65

12 June 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Kessler

Writes to his brother from the battlefield. Complains about someone stealing his letters and the photograph of their mother. Describes shelling being fired above their heads. Reports his band is no longer playing and most of the members are employed as nurses in hospitals. Writes they have plenty of rations and just received new clothing. Comments his new clothes are making him sick; he has a headache. Request he sends him a newspaper and a day book. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. A small fragment of paper is included.

GLC03523.52.56

5 July 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister. Complains about having to wash his clothes in cold water. Comments he does not care how he looks or what he wears; however, she would find him dirty and ragged. Describes being sick with a bad case of dysentery. Notes he has cured it with cheese ginger snaps and brandy. Reports he was within 30 rods of the rebels line this morning. Writes they trade tobacco and coffee with each other and they all bathe in the same creek. Believes the two sides struck a deal not to fire at each other. Requests she writes him with all the news.

GLC03523.52.58

5 August 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from camp. Expresses his loneliness and boredom with the army. Reports on the fighting in Petersburg, Virginia. Describes soldiering and what a waste war is. Writes, "It is just calling young men from home and Bringing them here for slaughter and fast as they can kill them off call for more. A mans life is value nothing here and is not Respected By any one, is all for himself…" Comments he has not had a change of clothes for two months.

GLC03523.52.63

22 September 1864

Wirt, John, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bill Kessler

Writes to his cousin. Provides direction to California. Explains he cannot join him because of his job. Complains about his new stepmother. Writes, "thare never was a bigger fool than my father when he married that girl whenever thare is any work to be done she plays off sick she dont care about anything but dress…please never call her my mother again I wont own her…" Discusses the "Hundred day boys" who just arrived home.

GLC03523.52.66

10 October 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from camp. Expresses how thankful he is for his new boots and says they are first rate. Comments he was offered $15 for them before he even got them on. Reports his colonel, who was taken prisoner, has been paroled and is on his way home. Discusses his band's discharge case against the government for non-payment of their musical services.

GLC03523.52.71

15 October 1864

Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when working all night, time and a half when working on a Sabbath, and after three months will receive free transportation home. Writes that they are putting up a stationary engine in the south part of town. Reports that the Confederate "Jonies" are about twenty miles from them, between them and Atlanta, Georgia. Comments that they expect the…

GLC03523.43.15

3 November 1864

Howe, Nathan, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Discusses putting Lincoln in for four more years. Inquires if Reeser received his letter requesting gloves and if so for Reeser to send him the gloves along with ten dollars. Tells him that he is out of money and won't get paid for another month. Inquires after a female, saying that if she is a Copperhead that she need not write to him. Comments that he will fight until the rebels are locked out. Describes giving the rebels hell on the 24th on the old barracks battleground.

GLC03523.43.17

20 November 1864

Howe, Nathan, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Reeser

Mentions that he received the ten dollars that Reeser sent him. Reports that Dan has not joined the Company yet and that he is at the dismounted camp on the other side of the river. Inquires after a pair of boots that he requested the "old man" make for him, and asks Reeser to tell the "old man" to make the boots a little bigger. Request Reeser to pay for the boots and to send them express to Company B, 11th Calvary.

GLC03523.43.19

6 November 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from Camp Douglas. Informs him not to send him boots. Reports two cases of smallpox in camp. Notes all soldiers are to be vaccinated. Comments if it spreads to the rebel prisoners it will take them clean. Reports one hospital has over 200 sick rebels and many die every day. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.21

27 December 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from Camp Douglas. Complains about the rainy weather. Describes a dance that the sharpshooters had with the wash women. Requests that she send him his razor when his father sends him a turkey. Discusses the theater and the women showing their knees. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.27