January 30, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all the soldiers they will be home by Christmas. Writes that "the South is most ruined now and will be intirely [sic] if this goes on an other year." Thinks that the Southerners are eager for the war to end. Writes that Grant has gone to Vicksburg and predicts that they will not have to go after all, for which he is grateful - "I am not so ambitious…

GLC03523.14.11

4 April 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Discusses the hurt feelings of a friend and Democrat from back home. Mentions that there is not "much drunkenness down here" since "Gen Prentiss is a temperance man." Asks for packages with items like dried fruit, silk handkerchiefs and cayenne pepper.

GLC03523.14.19

5 November 1863

Ticknor, Horace L., 1836-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Ticknor writes to his family from Chattanooga. Reports the rebels are on three sides of them, and the Tennessee River is at their rear. Complains of hard times, living on one quarter rations with very little clothing. Reports very little shelling from the rebels. Says he "...wants no compromise with the rebels..." Mentions he has warm blankets and a gun that never misfires. Expresses longing for a little cider and buckwheat pancakes. States he is still confident the Union will win the war. Letter is faded and smudged.

GLC03523.30.11

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

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

22 November 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp in New Iberia, Louisiana. Begins the letter with a description of "what the folks in our house are doing Barney is fixing a short tailed shirt that I sold him...Don Stanley is mixing up pancakes for dinner." The men left Vermillionville a week earlier and stopped in Teche Lake, Louisiana. They are in New Iberia for thirty days. As they set up their new camp, Damuth's regiment is attacked by Rebel soldiers. Though they manage to scare off the Rebels, "they got two of our teems and a few men that had stragglered out to forage." The next morning, Damuth's…

GLC03523.14.44

24 November 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ida

Writes to "friend Ida." Says that the weather is getting cold, and the men need new clothes and tents. Although their captain is strictly against foraging, Damuth says "he dont know all that is going on in Co D Dave dont care how much the boys forage he dont belive in the boys going hungry." Stops writing for a moment because "the boys are yelling Dolph come and draw our whiskey it has come." Enjoys being orderly of the company very much. Talks about the men who are being drafted and writes that "I wish thear was no such thing as thear getting rid of it by paying $300." Of the dearth of…

GLC03523.14.45

1 March 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about gossip from home in response to a letter he has recently received. The 29th Wisconsin and some Indiana regiments they have been traveling with have parted ways after a year together. Reminisces about General McClernand and says of him: "there is no kinder men or trur Patriots." They have met some men from the Army of the Potomac who "put on more style than we do they wear white gloves and are well drilled." The men receive no news about the war. Written from Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana.

GLC03523.14.49

30 April 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Describes being put on emergency picket outside town two days before. Damuth enjoys standing guard and complains only of the lack of blankets during the night. Tells of his fears during the night, wondering "which one of us had got to fall this time," and writes that his fear of death only grows stronger with each battle. Finds the "big scare" humorous because during the frantic change of camps "they piled every thing up together" and many soldiers lost their belongings. Writes about the surprise of discovering a silk handkerchief in the pocket of one of his shirts while doing his…

GLC03523.14.55

26 May 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Has been helping to write out papers, although it is not his job as an orderly. The men have been assigned garrison duty along the river, and Damuth suspects they will end up near New Orleans. Speculates about visiting home. Mentions a friend who is at Vicksburg as "a detective…he wearse good clothes and has an easy time." Writes that "we are waiting anxiously to see if Grant is going to whip out the rebel Lee," and that if this doesn't happen, "old Abe will have to call for more men."

GLC03523.14.57

3 December 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men are busy preparing for an inspection, because "they say that the Regt that passes the best inspection will do Provost Guard duty in the city this winter." Damuth has received a pair of suspenders from his family by mail and is glad, reporting that clothing goods are expensive if purchased in camp. Damuth is now receiving twenty-four dollars a month. The night before, Damuth went to the theater to see "the Webb sisters…young but perfect beauties." Going to the theater is a good pastime for soldiers, he argues, because "we see again a little civile life."…

GLC03523.14.77

13 June 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Later copy of GLC02437.03273.

GLC02437.03274

June 16, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to…

GLC02437.03276

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette [in French]

For an English translation of this French letter see GLC02437.03239. The translation is in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest,…

GLC02437.03238

January 19, 1786

Francastel, Nicolas Jean, fl. 1784-1786

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

An English translation of GLC02437.03238 in a different hand. This letter was written by Parisian jeweler Nicolas Jean Francastel, who was one of the creators of the jeweled eagle insignia worn by some members of the Society of the Cincinnati (Claude Jean Autran Duval was the other). Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant had been sent to France in 1783 to order the badges for the Society, which he did on credit and was later unable to sell to officers in America. This letter details the settlement over the payment for the badges. With interest, Francastel was to be paid 20,229 livres. Francastel says…

GLC02437.03239

19 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports that the draft will begin in Kingston the following week. Discusses Morgan's Raid, noting "At last accounts Morgan and his men were still pursuing his course without much interruption." Complains that [Lieutenant Colonel] Benjamin P. Runkle was appointed by the Ohio Governor, David Tod, to stop Morgan with a militia force of three or four thousand, but so far Runkle has failed. Writes, "I cannot understand it why some men are permitted to enjoy ease and emolument while others have to suffer and endure so much hardship." Mentions the "3 days fighting at Gettysburg." Continues on about…

GLC03523.10.082

5 December 1864

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Writes to his brother, "you must read this letter yourself. And dont let none of the girls read it to you. You say your are in the first division And if that the case you can read this letter for it is big enough for a blind man to read." Instructs him not to spend all his money before Christmas and not to "wear your Boots out." Remarks that he doesn't think his regiment will ever see the city of Washington and speculates that they will stay at Camp Pierpont in Fairfax, Virginia all winter. Written on stationery with an image of the United States Capital at the top.

GLC03523.08.97

31 March 1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Document

Title: [Certification concerning Ephraim Dayton]

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, certifies that Dayton, from Fairfield, New Jersey, has served in the artillery since 8 February 1777. On verso, paymaster J. Hubbell certifies that Dayton has been paid up to 1 March 1780. Lists clothing Dayton received 1777-1780.

GLC02437.09549

December 11, 1863

Terry, Robert B., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Writes to his sister extensively about his clothing, remarking "I just laid my clothes loose in a box and told them to remain their till I could come and take them away again." Reports that he will not get a furlough, but "I dont care much about coming home till I can come for good as the time is so short now." Informs her that there is a Russian fleet anchored in the [Potomac] River.

GLC03523.08.87

12 November 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Expresses deep love and longing for her. Comments how much he misses her kisses and dancing with her. Reports he has not seen a lady in six months except on the streets of Petersburg through a "glass." Discusses when he should return home after being mustered out on 12 March 1865. Complains he has no blankets, socks or proper fitting shirts. Comments on President Abraham Lincoln's re-election and the demise of the Democratic party.

GLC03523.20.21

28 November 1864

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Reports he has put out a "shingle" that reads "...shirts repaired wholesale and retailed,"and opened a shirt business. Says he repaired a neckband and a wristband and it took him three hours to do it. Mentions considerable artillery firing on their lines the past four days. Complains the rebels have drove in the picket lines.

GLC03523.20.22

9 January 1865

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from a camp outside Petersburg, Virginia. Tells her not to send anymore shirts, he will buy government shirts and stockings even though they are not as good as hers. States there is plenty of good whiskey available to them for two dollars seventy five cents per gallon. Writes about a visit with his "...coloured servant William..." Says they discussed religion and William is "...a modle of a Christian man." Mentions a possible move to Wilmington, Virginia. Informs of constant shelling and dangerous conditions.

GLC03523.20.23

5 September 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he is encouraged by his mother's message of strength and courage. Mentions that the men are drilling five days out of the week and travel a mile to find suitable ground for drillling. He reports that the 129th Illinois and the 3rd Ohio have joined his brigade. Writes about the dimishing numbers of men in various regiments. He specifically mentions one company of the 75th Illinois in which only six men, two sergeants, and a second lieutenant remain. Wheeler writes that he is glad to hear that "active measures will be used against the copperheads in case they dare resist the…

GLC07460.048

1786-1787

Manuscript document

Title: [Supplies given to Colonel David Humphreys's regiment]

Date added later in pencil. Lists supplies provided to Colonel David Humphreys, such as hospital stores, rations, wood and clothing. Addressed to General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.03401

7 March 1787

Humphreys, David, 1752-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Orders for clothing]

Orders asking that the clothing supplies Sergeant Root will bring to Mr. Cott's store, be forwarded along with blankets and other clothing items to Captain Willcox in Springfield, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.03486