1914-1918

Keystone View Company

Stereocard

Title: Nursing Wounded Heroes Back to Health, Convalescent Hospital No. 5, New York

At a hospital in New York for returning soldiers, former soldiers lie on rows of beds, while nurses and visitors mull about.

GLC09584.287

1914-1918

Keystone View Company

Stereocard

Title: Wounded Soldier About to Undergo Operation: Hospital No. 5, New York

Surgeons and nurses surround a soldier lying on an operating table, about to perform an operation.

GLC09584.288

1914-1918

Keystone View Company

Stereocard

Title: Severely Wounded Being Transported to Hospital Ship from Transport, Hoboken

Soldiers carry a wounded man on a stretcher up the steps, boarding a ship.

GLC09584.289

13 September 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Camp near Schuylkill." Opens with various declarations of how he misses her, including "War nor none of its concomitant Horrors is sufficient to put my Lucy from my mind..." Reports of a recent engagement with the enemy, the Battle of Brandywine (11 September 1777), declaring "...we were oblig'd to retire, after very considerable slaughter of the enemy... if they advance we shall fight them again before they get possession of Philadelphia but of this they will be cautious- my corps did me great honor they behav'd like men..." Encloses an account (not present) he sent to the…

GLC02437.00648

6 October 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written from Artillery Park Camp, 25 miles from Philadelphia. Notes that he would have written more details earlier, but "the success of the enterprise depended upon secrecy...." Gives an account of the Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777), in which "a fog which was but moderate at first became so thick from the Continental firing of cannon... that it absolutely became impossible to see..." Despite the conditions, reports, "Our troops are in prodigious spirits at being able to drive nearly the whole collective force of the enemy so far-" Relates that his brother, William Knox, "behaved…

GLC02437.00655

29 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes the Battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778) in detail. As the British marched away from Philadelphia toward Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Continental troops under General [Charles] Lee attacked the British rear. In the ensuing battle, "My brave Lads behaved with their usual intrepidity & the Army give the Corps of Artillery their full proportion of the Glory of the day. Indeed upon the whole it is very splendid- the Capital Army of Britain defeated, and oblig'd to retreat before the Americans who they despise so much." Estimates the number of British casualties to be three times the…

GLC02437.00713

3 July 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Relates that the British are moving toward Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Reports the details of the Battle of Monmouth, mentioning Generals Charles Lee and George Washington. Writes, "The Corps of Artillery have their full proportion of the Glory of the day. His Excellency the General has done them & me the honor to notice us in General orders in very pointed & flattering terms.- Indeed I was highly delighted with their coolness, bravery, and good Conduct." Estimates the British have lost a thousand men between the Battle of Monmouth and other skirmishes.

GLC02437.00714

January 24, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He does not think the South can be defeated: "we can't starve them out for they have a plenty and we can't whip them out for they are armed as well as we are, and they are as brave a men to fight as we are."

GLC02739.033

24 September 1862

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Holding themselves in readiness, rumors on Burnside, McClellan. "We have just got news that the president has issued a proclamation freeing all the slaves on the first of January. It may be for the best but stil my hopes (if I had any) of a speedy termination of the war is thereby nocked in head for I know enough of the southern spirit so that I think that they will fight for the institution of slavery even to extermination. I am glad that the enlisting spirit has been felt so generaly through the north for I wish we had army enough to sink the south out of existance in a day. I know that…

GLC04558.044

20 July1862

Smith, Ann, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by Ann Smith to her brother Asa Smith in the Union Army. Says she is glad he is doing well. Says "I try & try to imagine how you look but don't succeed very well - If I could only see you for a little while." Goes on to say that "I tell Mother I'm prouder than ever of you." Says Lieutenant H.L. Potter of the 20th regiment has been back home now for a week because of a wound in his leg. Says "he was in the same hospital with you a week or more - he wishes he had seen you." Says that their brother William Wallace Smith was lucky to avoid injury. Is sending him a copy of a newspaper…

GLC03742.08

9 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Evaluates the damage that different types of artillery shells (i.e. mortar and rifled cannon shot) create at various distances from the front line. Mentions troops rotations between lines, and farm business. Gives a current price for cotton cloth (75 cents a yard) and comments that bullies make cowardly soldiers. Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.146

31 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written in pencil with portions of pages 1-4 traced in a darker pencil. The explosion and charge on fort along the rebel line by Burnside's 9th Corps was at first rumored to be a great success although GWT noticed Grant "appeared a little troubled." Later, GWT learned that casualties for the 9th Corps was 6,000 killed wounded and missing. GWT blamed "the disaster of yesterday" on a brigade of "negroes [who] when charged on scadaddled without fireing a volley."

GLC04558.151

8 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he is lucky to be alive after a battle. Says that Alfred Goddard was seriously wounded in the abdomen and he fears that Alfred will not recover. Details his behaviors and bravery during the battle and says that he received the best care possible. Writes that he has some of Alfred's things. Estimates that 80 men were lots, 4 of them officers. Written near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC03603.277

31 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to a female relative of Alfred Goddard

Writes that this was a draft of a letter he was preparing for a female relative of Alfred Goddard. Encloses the draft with a letter to is family. Writes detailing Alfred's bravery during battle and his dying wishes to have his possessions shipped to his mother and to thank the company for fighting so well. Notes that he and Alfred had been "brought into the closest communion" during the few months that they were together.

GLC03603.280

6 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the hardships of being shuffled from the front to the back. Responds to news about Beckwith and James Jennings, both soldiers from Connecticut who have suffered what Coit believes to be self-inflicted wounds. Describes motivating frightened soldiers with threats. Discusses the clean springs near the rifle pits that Coit says provide good water while they are fighting.

GLC03603.297

18 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Complains about the load of paperwork he is doing and reports that Colonel Ward is feeling unwell. Says that Ward does not stay near the field staff even when he is feeling well. Requests that his news about Ward not be repeated. Reports that Captain Goodrich is feeling better but he may lose his leg. Describes the vegetables that are available. Writes that he trusts George with all the family business while he is unable to do it. Notes that he does not expect to take Petersburg anytime soon and believes they will move again soon. Says that Colonel Steadman has a reputation of being "rashly…

GLC03603.300

2 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He arrived in Columbus, Kentucky in the midst of a winter storm. He is not impressed by the discipline of the Confederate troops. He has gained 15 pounds in 2 months and visited relatives in Vicksburg. In part: "Well you see we are at last in the face of the enemy...I have not yet had an opportunity of making an examination of our position but so far as I have seen it is exceedingly strong, Nor do I know how many men are here about - fifteen thousand perhaps including all the reinforcements. I am ignorant of the strength of the enemy either at Cairo or Paducah. From what I hear…

GLC04501.012

April 21, 1866

Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892

Typed letter

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Meigs, United States Quartermaster General, recounts that General Brisbin and a small squad of recruits made "great efforts to rally the retreating and disorganized soldiers on the road near Centerville on the night of the first battle of Bull Run." Declares that he "was so much pleased with [Brisbin's] conduct that [he] mentioned it to the Secretary of War, who promoted him." States that he has not been familiar with Brisbin's service since that time, but is confident that Brisbin will be able…

GLC01504.02.12

April 25, 1866

Burbridge, Stephen Gano, 1831-1894

Typed letter

Title: to James S. Brisbin

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Major General Burbridge wishes to aid Brisbin in preserving his reputation following recent slander. Recounts Brisbin's meritorious service as Burbridge's Chief of Staff and as "Superintendent of Organization of Colored Troops of Kentucky, at a time when it was especially unpopular there to enlist colored men or induce any other troops for the Union service." Refers to Brisbin's successful recruitment of 25,000 African American soldiers. Praises Brisbin's courage and excellent judgment in the…

GLC01504.02.13

16 June 1863

Stout, Frankin, fl. 1853

Printed letter

Title: to Sir

A call to arms. Letter reminds recipient of Frank Stout's bravery and ability and asks that he fight under Stout. Stout is going back again for six months.

GLC03131.07.07

10 November 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"It is nothing to a soldier to here of the death of a friend or comrade for he has enough of such…that he cannot mourn for the dead." He describes the Battle of Chickamauga: "For two long days we fought the brave men of longstreets corps from Richmond they having two to our one…many were to be he[a]rd crying for help as we would have to walk over them and turn our ears to their cries." He wants to send her his diary of the past year and is keeping one for this year as well.

GLC02739.084

26 March 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

References her letter of 14 March 1864. Says her opinion that he is "decidedly blue" is correct. Says it is depressing to have spent 3 years as he has at the age of 35. Speaks positively of the "change of feeling that has been wrought in public opinion as regards the colored troops." Before they were "looked upon with utter contempt and the idea that they would stand fire was thought ridiculous." Says they are now thought of as equal to white troops. References the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts compared to the disloyalty of the New Yorkers who rioted in July 1863. Says that the black…

GLC03836.63

19 November 1861

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. West

Written aboard the USS "Alabama." Encloses a one-page hand-drawn chart of the 7 November 1861 naval battle at Port Royal Harbor, which he had copied by "placing a sheet of thin paper" over the original. Reports that the original chart had been made by one of the officers of the 'Susquehanna' and was "said to be very accurate." Says he is at Charleston and that they are still blockading "this nest of secession." Duty has been dull; since "the stunning blow inflicted on them [Confederates in the area] by Dupont's splendid victory. We have seen no sign of the small steamers which were in the…

GLC03836.27

25 October 1862-16 June 1863

Walker, John G., 1835-1907

Manuscript document signed

Title: [John G. Walker's unbound orderly book for 25 October 1862-16 June 1863]

Contains 38 separate entries, which seem to be a copy of his official correspondence. Is written in several different hands. Writes at first on board the U.S. Gunboat "Chillicothe" at Jeffersonville, Indiana 25-29 October 1862. Afterward he writes from the Yazoo River region on board the U.S. Gunboat "Baron de Kalb." Most of the entries are of correspondence to Admiral David D. Porter, but also contains correspondence with Captain A. M. Pennock, Brigadier General W. A. Gorman, and Captain J. A. Dahlgren, among other lesser-ranked officers. Excerpts: 25 October 1862, to Admiral David D…

GLC03804.01

21 May 1863

Bope, Abraham, 1837-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Jane Bope

Bope writes to his sister from a camp near Stafford. Discusses picket duty. Mentions the surrender of Jackson, Mississippi, and comments the war will soon be over. Refers to a coward in his regiment who was willingly taken prisoner by the Confederates. Complains that the weather is too warm. Asks her to write him more often. Envelope has a color emblem with the phrase, "The Union Forever."

GLC03523.03.16