7 November 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee Bridge in Georgia. The mail has been delayed by four or five days because of the army's movements. He does not think the army will stay long at its present location and he has heard that the limit of their stay in the area will be five or six days. Reports that the Army of the Tennessee is encamped only two or three miles from them and that they are waiting for their pay and clothing before they march out. Writes that if his family hears of the army marching through Georgia to Savannah, Georgia he will try and take care of himself as best he can.

GLC07460.106

January 22, 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

It is almost impossible to receive or sent out any mail, the last letter he received from home was from 25 December. They are about 23 miles from Savannah, Georgia. It has been raining so hard for the past few days that it was nearly impossible to move. The troops are still unsure of what the goal is with their current movements. Fort Fisher has been captured and is seen as an important victory. The numerous fortifications beyond Savannah into South Carolina so far have caused little harm to the advancing Union Army. He has finally received the package from home with all the items he…

GLC07460.111

29 March 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter

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

Writes that he is very grateful for everyone at home for caring about him and worrying about his safety while he is at war. He feels bad for them because the letters they receive from him take so long to arrive so they are usually "in the dark" about his safety. Writes that the North is ignorant of the cost of the war; while the South understands its effects very well. The Union Army has ravaged much of the South and this greatly affects the women and children. Writes that the Union troops stole from houses and destroyed possessions of people. Gives an example saying that some troops…

GLC07460.117

4 April 1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that it takes a long time for the letters to arrive at camp and to be sent out. Thinks that General William T. Sherman is unwilling to give up his line of communication. He does not think the army could survive in North Carolina in the summer. The sweet potatoes are their chief foraging food but they are starting to rot. He is glad that everyone at home is keeping up their courage. Writes that he thinks the war will be over soon or "this summer will be a repetition of last." He will not come home before he has served his time in the army. Does not think the army will keep him longer…

GLC07460.118

February 19, 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he is in good health and is glad to hear that his family is as well. The brigade still has not marched out from Nashville, Tennessee. There is also another brigade close by and they each hear rumors that one of them has received marching orders. States that the weather is very cold and the men are without their overcoats as they had sent them home. The commander of the other brigade sees no point in marching out before spring. Writes that he is still required to go on picket despite the bad weather. However, they do not have drills or dress parade during bad weather. Reports they…

GLC07460.070

1861-1865

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for clothing issued]

Includes clothes issued to I Company, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteers commanded by 1st Lieutenant Heber Painter. Witnessed by William H. Blair, 1st Sergeant. Lists specific articles of clothing recieved. Docket outlines the allowance of clothing given to each man yearly as established by the Secretary of War.

GLC02016.162

15 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. A friend of the family - a colonel in the Union Army- will be visiting his family soon if he has not called on them already. He has sent his watch home with the colonel because the crystal is broken and he would like to have it repaired. Writes that they are improving their camp daily since they arrived on 6 July. They are sending out pickets towards the river bank because the rebels are on the other side of the river. Reports that there is not much firing but a good deal of trading between Union and…

GLC07460.086

1 January 1863

Thomas, Lorenzo, 1804-1875

Printed document

Title: Official price list of clothing

Includes detailed charts of clothing, camp and garrison equipage prices. Also notes that volunteers are given an allowance of $3.50 a month for clothing or $42 a year. Notation in pencil on verso reads "Auditor for the War Department, Washington DC, Treasury Department."

GLC02016.178

August 25, 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that the weather is very nice even though the country is filled with rebel shoulders. He thinks it would be a nice place to visit if the inhabitants "were what they ought to be." He has received a hat from his sister Martha and some tobacco from his father. The other troops think that his hat is they best they have seen. States that the army rarely gives out tobacco and that the troops must get some from the enemy when they empty their kettles near the Union camp. Reports that some mail has been lost between Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky because some mail cars drove off a…

GLC07460.095

10 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. There are numerous raids on the roads north of Atlanta, Georgia and have interrupted mail and supplies moving south. Their camp has moved to the south side of the Chattahoochee River. Writes that they expect go to into Atlanta soon. The center of the main Union Army is about two or three miles from Atlanta. The city has suffered much damage from Union shell and shot. The rebels had constructed some defenses to keep the Union out of the city. The Union attacked and retreated while General William T. Sherman moved into the Confederate rear. This…

GLC07460.099

16 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. The line of communication have once again been opened. The mail came in all last night and he received three letters from Martha. He is sorry to hear that Johnny Burst [?] is not doing any better. He wishes he could help Johnny to feel better even though he knows he cannot. Asks for a good pair of boots and some shoe nails. He does not need his shirts from home as the clothing he left at the previous camp has arrived. Thinks that the regiment might stay at camp for a while as there have been reports that General William T. Sherman has been "…

GLC07460.103

18 March 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has submitted a recommendation for her visit and she is to pick it up in Baltimore, Maryland. Gives her specific instructions where to go in Detroit, Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland. Instructs her to bring her trunk with anything that will make her comfortable. Asks her to bring a few articles of clothing for him. Location inferred.

GLC03523.13.087

18 April 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written in Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He reports that the weather is nice but there has been some rain. States that he left his overcoat in Nashville, Tennessee with Ann the regiment's "negro woman." Notes that prices are high both at home in Illinois and in the camp. Suggests to his family what to plant this spring. Writes that he will not be coming home for harvest time as he expects the army to move south to engage the rebels. Reports that he is now in the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of the 20th Army Corps. States that Major General Joseph Hooker commands the Army Corp, Major General Daniel…

GLC07460.074

16 May 1864- 2 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at Camp of the Illinois 105th. States that he is in good health although he is worried about the casualties the Union army is sustaining. Writes that he is glad his mother worries less even though her feelings are natural. Part of the regiment was sent out on picket duty and to the skirmish line. Yesterday afternoon their corps were relieved from the center of the line. The rest of their corps has not reached them. He believes they are headed to Marietta, Georgia. Reports that there has been skirmishing all day and occasional artillery fire from the Union guns. He has heard reports…

GLC07460.078

30 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He reports that he is in good health and still in the same location. He writes that his regiment has been relieved from the front lines and are now in the third line. He has washed his clothes and the regiment is getting some rest. Writes of a skirmish between the Confederate and Union pickets to their right, near the 23rd Corps. His regiment "sprung to their guns" in case the rebels broke through; hoping to pay the rebels back for the Battle of Resaca. The firing soon stopped and a quarter of the men were placed on guard duty and the rest…

GLC07460.084

1894-1927

Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)

Photograph

Title: Gown worn by Edith Roosevelt displayed on mannequin.

Pencil note on back: "From Smithsonian Institute Gown Collection."

GLC07002.91

8 May 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that their daughter has smallpox, but is recovering, and acting "very lively." Discusses sending Knox waistcoats and breeches through Colonel Mason. At her current location, has no company except for [Henry] Gardner, Treasurer of Massachusetts, and Madam Heath, "who is so stiff it is impossible to be sociable with her."

GLC02437.00589

27 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Notes his receipt of the returns for ordnance and military stores for August 1791. Directs Captain Bryant to send 100 suits of clothing to Chauncy Whittlesey in Middletown, Connecticut, who will, in turn, forward them to New York. Written from the War Department.

GLC03432.025

1 April 1865

Document signed

Title: [Statement of clothing camp and garrison equipage pertaining to Company B, 11th Regiment U. S. Colored Troops]

Lists numbers of knapsacks, canteens, mess pans, pins, and other items distributed to the 11th Regiment, United States Colored Troops.

GLC05336.03

25 November 1865

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert replies to a 9 November 1865 letter from his parents. Relates the location of other regimental colonels, and states that he has $40,000 which he intends to pay for an unspecified purpose. Relates seeing Generals Stewart Lyndon Woodford, who served as Colonel of the 103rd United States Colored Troops, and General Littlefield (possibly Milton Littlefield) at Hilton Head, South Carolina. States that after a ship carrying clothing sprung a leak off the shore near Darien, Georgia, he was able to purchase a black military overcoat for $9. Relates that his duty in Thomasville primarily…

GLC06298.06

5 January 1864

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: A bill to be entitled an act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities

Confederate act stating "free negroes and slaves" shall be enlisted to work as teamsters for the Confederate army. "The efficiency of the army is greatly diminished by the withdrawal from the ranks of able-bodied soldiers to act as teamsters...therefore...all free male negroes resident in the Confederate States, between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, shall be held liable to perform such duties...in the way of work upon fortifications, or in Government works for the production or preparation of material of war, or in military hospitals, as the Secretary of War may from time to time…

GLC08979.04

6 December 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses a short visit from their brother George who was in good health but had to return to his ship after one day. Also mentions another brother named Ralph, whose "fate you have learnt four days ago" (Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, was captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown, see GLC03676.05). Notes that "no official accounts from Cornwallis" had arrived. Claims that the French did not expect this victory, citing as evidence "a Merchant who signed a Contract w. the Fermiers Generaux 6 weeks ago for...half a Million of Tobacco annually. upon the presumption that the Southern…

GLC02549.19

20 July 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses information about their brother George and letters he has been sending. Describes the fleets at Portsmouth and compares them to the locusts of Egypt. Asks James to obtain a "Seal Cutter two scales with our Arms Cut upon a good Cornelian, of a moderate seise, & handsomely set in Gold." Also comments on the loss of Tobago and the danger of losing Madras.

GLC02549.16

20 November 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses some family news, commenting on his separation from his wife. Thanks James for his work on a seal (also discusses in GLC025490.16), but asks him not to send it until after the lottery, fearing it might be stolen. Comments on the status of their brother Ralph Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, in America. Notes that in his last letter, Ralph was at Yorktown preparing for battle. By the time he is writing this he expects the battle to have been decided but does not know the outcome. Indicates that "people here differ much in opinion about what may be expected. I rather…

GLC02549.18

21 March 1864

Russel, G. P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Moore

Russel was a physican friend of Moore's. He sent the requested hat. He regrets not being able to visit Moore. He mentions using Moore's sorrel pony, formerly owned by Stoneman in Virginia.

GLC04195.23