January 23-January 26, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Mentions still being anchored in the sound and finally receiving mail from home. Discusses what he is reading and how he wishes he had brought a book of poetry. Reports receiving a pair of stockings from his "third cousin Lillie Coit Collins." Says that the soldiers are very isolated from outside news and he requests that his family send a copy of Norwich's weekly Tribune. Mentions men from the boat visiting the sutler on another boat to purchase food. Discusses the way men who buy food sell it to others at a large mark-up. Also reports that a…

GLC03603.069

3 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the retreat from Fredericksburg and thanks his mother for the rubber coat she sent him. Writes more about Lieutenant Eaton's condition, which he says is deteriorating.

GLC03603.140

June 23, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he hopes to have a tailor in the company make his a coat if his family will send fabric. Is also excited that his company plans to raise up a band.

GLC03603.115

16 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about a conversation he had with Colonel Harland about promotions and rank. Responds to news about who is enlisting in Norwich and writes that he knows his experience as an officer has been much better than that of the privates. Request shirts with pockets sewn into them and asks his family to preserve and season some tomatoes to send to him.

GLC03603.136

19 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes more about the outcome of the battle. The regiment has guarded a bridge most of the day while the rebel soldiers have possession of the battlefield. Some of the dead and wounded Union troops are still in the field but cannot be retrieved. Counts that there are 19 or 20 dead and wounded from the 8th Regiment. Lieutenant Wait's body was later recovered from the field. His watch and other possessions had been stolen.

GLC03603.145

7 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they will be traveling to Pleasant Valley and that he hopes he will be given leave to visit Baltimore for the day to get some new clothes. Says that he is so ashamed of his appearance that he hardly talks to anyone.

GLC03603.150

25 October 1862

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Thanks Ogden for her kindness. Says he wished to write sooner, but found it impossible because of his regiment's movements. Reports seeing many battles, stating that Gaines Mills, Manassas, Cramptons Gap, and Antietam were "the hardest fought." Writes his regiment has been thinning lately due to their frequent engagements, but two more regiments have recently joined them. He reports that the men have received their winter clothing, and concludes by informing Ogden that he has been promoted to acting sergeant major. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.020

25 September 1863

Ford, Charles, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from Camp Starvation near Harrisburg. Describes his difficult journey back to camp with other men from the Broad & Cherry Hospital. Says on arrival at the camp, the men finally received some food and new clothing.

GLC06559.029

8 November 1865

Ford, Charles, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Notes his company has changed its name to Company D, 16th Regiment. Says he is presently on duty in Chambersburg, where he is being quartered in comfortable barracks. Notes eighteen Rebels were brought in, but are going to be sent to Fort Delaware. Some of the men were thought to be spies, and were sent to jail. Requests that Ogden send him a couple of undershirts, in the care of the bearer of this letter, as his were stolen from his knapsack. Written on "Head Quarters Provost Marshal..." stationery.

GLC06559.034

1861-1923

Johnston, Mary J., fl. 1861-1923

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother [Mrs. Delia Johnston]

She has been to Uncle Hugh's and Aurnt Mary's. Laurens came down to visit. Uncle Hugh cave her a pattern for a dress while Eliza sent Laurens a nice book.

GLC02167.61

January 17, 1857

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Houston, Jr.

Writes to his son to request that he go to town and be measured by a tailor in order to have a coat and pantaloons made. Encourages the boy to study and pray. Also includes a page of advertisements (GLC05508.133.02).

GLC05508.133.01

17 April 1748

Gifford, Cainan, fl. 1748

Document signed

Title: A receit to dress white leather.

A recipe for tanning white leather. Verso reads: "To Little Compton April 17th Day 1748."

GLC02924.042

1861-1867

Mitchell, Wallace, fl. 1861-1867

Header Record

Title: [Letters belonging to Wallace and George B. Mitchell, 1861-1867][Decimalized .01-.30]

Collection of letters belonging to George B. and Wallace Mitchell dated 1861-1867. Consists of approximately 32 letters, illustrations, and Union Patriotic envelopes. George B. and Wallace Mitchell were brothers and Union soldiers who served with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Letters are primarily sent to Mary Mitchell, E.B. Good and George B. Mitchell. Details cavalry life in the Army of the Potomac.

GLC08334

29 June 1868

Colcock, William Ferguson, 1804-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodora Colcock Hutson

Chides his daughter for not writing. Reports family news, including the fever and treatment received by his "pet child." Discusses the livelihood and recent illness of Charles Jones Hutson, Theodora's husband. Asks to have Aunt Sally, Colcock's wife's sister Sarah Huguenin, instruct her in sewing. Discusses some legal business that he, his brother (named Charles Jones), Theodora's husband and her brother Cornelius Colcock are all involved in.

GLC08165.15

02 August 1868

Colcock, Mary Anna, 1847-1889

Autograph letter

Title: to Theodora Colcock Hutson

Reports family news. Discusses Theodora's husband, Charles Jones Hutson. Comments on teaching. Reports death of an aunt. Discusses making a dress.

GLC08165.16

03 September 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily McLeod

Describes trying to remember the faces of family members since he has not been home for so long. Reports that the regiment is idle at present, and that the army of Northern Virginia is gaining its strength back because the absentee and sick are returning. They are prepared for another campaign but the Federals have withdrawn toward Washington at the present. Remarks that they are encouraged that Charleston is still holding. Discusses traitors negatively, what life will be like for the wealthy after the war, and clothing and fashion. Gives love to everyone at home. McLeod is the daughter…

GLC08165.58

26 June 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders].

Order to provide soldiers with summer clothing who are entitled to it, so "that the whole of the troops will appear in the most soldierly condition on the 4th of July." Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.03

3 November 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders].

Orders non-commissioned officers and privates of Captain Pike and Isaac Guion's companies of the 3rd Sub Legion to go under the command of Captain Pike to Fort [Nassau?]. Reports that Major Burbeck will order one sargeant and eight matrosses from the 1st Battalion of Artillery to join the detachment under the command of Lieutanant Underwood. Indicates clothing orders for these men should be made out, including clothing for the men that reengaged or enlisted on March 5. Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.16

3 August 1851

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George W. C. Lee

Addressed to "Boo" (his son's nickname), then a student at West Point. Comments on the construction of Fort Carroll in Baltimore, which Lee was supervising. Discusses the charge against his son of keeping alcohol in his room, for which George received a mild sentence because of conflicting testimony. Lee doubted George's guilt and was glad that the possible blight on his son's career had been removed. He is glad to hear news of George's resumed participation in activities at West Point and offers words of encouragement. Hopes to see his son soon, and will send him some cool weather…

GLC07081.01

09 December 1862

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah McLeod Hutson

Mentions cold in Fredericksburg. Comments that George C. MacKay, and a man named Clap, of McCreary's South Carolina Infantry (1st South Carolina Infantry, Provisional Army) arrived and brought clothing and other supplies from Richmond. He has enough blankets to stay warm. Discusses food. Talks about the composition of the company and its leaders. He is "glad that the negroes have been dispersed of advantageously." Discusses the army's near future. Asks for a pair of winter boots. Hutson was a Corporal, 1st South Carolina Infantry, during the Civil War. Sarah was his mother. Written…

GLC08165.51

January 15, 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marion Hutson

Comments on possible hesitation by General Daniel H. Hill and General Jackson, either James W. Jackson or Thomas J. Jackson, to transfer Marion out of the Army of Northern Virginia. Discusses furlough policy. Mentions that President Jefferson Davis has "good reasons" to believe that the Civil War will end by 1 July 1863. Aks Marion to send him food. His regiment is currently sitting idle, but may soon be called to North Carolina. Would like someone to take his place. Wants to visit Charles Colcock, in a regiment near Fredericksburg. Discusses suit his parents will be making for him.…

GLC08165.52

11 August 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Received the news that clothes were on the way. Is very grateful to have a family that readily supplies his wants. Remarks on beauty of Maryland, and comments that his brother Marion remembers the countryside and the "famous stampede" there the previous summer, possibly a reference to the second battle of Bull Run in August 1862. Mentions news from home he has read about in the papers. Speculates that General Robert E. Lee is amassing troops in Gordonsville, Virginia, to make it "the line of defense." Remarks on traitors contemptuously. Asks about the fruit season at home. Comments on…

GLC08165.57

14 September 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter

Title: to Richard W. Hutson

Writes to his father that General James Longstreet, William Lewis, and John B. Hood's divisions have all moved to the west. They are expecting the enemy to approach anytime. Mentions that George E. Pickett's Virginia division has taken the place of Jenkins and Henry A. Wise's troops around Richmond and Petersburg so their brigade is the only one from South Carolina left in Virginia. Explains that the enemy occupied Culpeper, Virginia yesterday but he feels the fighting in Virginia might be over for this season. Discusses witnessing Robert E. Lee's review of Richard S. Ewell and Ambrose P…

GLC08165.59

28 October 1863

Hutson, Charles J., 1842-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear Sister

States he has not had the energy to write because camp life is so dull. He hopes 1864 is the last year of the war. Mentions his brother Marion Hutson's furlough and remarks that the furloughs given the troops are too short at 21 days. He will request one when they settle into winter quarters. Thinks that Marion should stay home because he doesn't know how his foot will be and mentions he is glad Charley Colcock is home. Comments that he has the use of the blankets of Sergeant Powell, who is a prisoner of war. Notes that the troops are poorly provided for. Captain Abner M. Perrine…

GLC08165.62

August 1860

C. E. Cate & Co.

Printed document

Title: [Advertisement for clothing for slaves from New Orleans, Louisiana]

Circular advertises slave shoes and hats by type, virtues, and price aimed at plantation owners who would have to clothe many slaves for reasonable prices. This company specialized in clothing products for slaves. The circular was published a few months prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Since New Orleans was in Union hands by mid 1862, this brochure is very rare.

GLC08210