15 October 1774

Rivington, James, 1724-1802

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to send him printing ink immediately. Discusses the contraband tea Knox is selling for him (see also GLC02437.00171, GLC02437.00178, and GLC02437.00181). Indicates that his home is open to Knox and his wife if they travel to the New York region. On the second page is a note and receipt for Dr. M.B. Goldthwait, which Rivington hopes will "produce the balance due to me." Rivington was a bookseller, printer, and journalist who came to America in 1760. He published Rivington's New-York Gazetteer.

GLC02437.00184

31 May 1782

Roxburgh, Alexander, fl. 1782-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written near Bacon's Bridge, possibly near Dorchester, South Carolina. Major Roxburgh informs General Smallwood that his company remains near Bacon's Bridge in an inactive state. Reports that the British "continue in the same situation as when I last wrote you with this difference that a detachment of about eleven hundred embarked three weeks ago for Jamaica." Relates that the British frequently send out what he calls parties of horse, and this action distresses local inhabitants. Mentions Captain Armstrong. Reports that General Wayne (possibly Anthony Wayne) detached Colonel White and…

GLC06508.05

4 January 1863

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes about the food, an adventure with his regiment, and the rumors that have surfaced around camp. Hopes Vicksburg, Mississippi has fallen by now. Gives a short weather report.

GLC05981.14

February 12, 1863

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions the first anniversary of their wedding day. Writes about when they first got married, and discusses how the first year of marriage has impacted his life. Writes, "We shall go toward Vicksburg." Expects to be paid in a few days. Mentions the food he has been eating (corn meal).

GLC05981.17

1 June 1863

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes from the "rear of Vicksburg." Does not know how long he will remain there. Thinks that the end of the war is near. Mentions the fall of Vicksburg, noting that the siege lasted two weeks. Describes his health and eating habits.

GLC05981.25

12 May 1864

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Comments on the weather. Reports some benefits he has received. Describes the food he has been eating. Remembers the Battle of Raymond. Anxiously waits for the mail. Finishes the letter on Saturday morning, 14 May, noting that the fleet arrived and they have been told to move immediately.

GLC05981.44

17 June 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He sent a pencil letter to his wife with Mr. Day including lemon syrup and castor oil. Writes that he will send his aunt soda powders. "Richmond is starving almost" due to the high selling prices and scarcity of goods. Asks her if she has noticed how favorably his handwriting has improved. Describes himself as a "demi military man" and expects to face battle as much as anyone else in the army.

GLC06582.23

20 June 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Asks if she is sick or in need of stamps. He asks her to write to him if she has not done so already. He would like her to record the progress of Liz and to report the effect the chicken pox had on Lizzie's "head piece." He describes the rising prices of provisions such as butter and chicken. Comments on the high costs of board (two dollars). He mentions that Ellis Sturman is going to be stationed in a small town near Goldsboro, North Carolina.

GLC06582.25

26 June 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that the "roar of cannon & musketry was painfully audible and exceeded the thunder of the fiercest storm." He mentions that General Hill's division fought on his side where his troops drove the enemy three or four miles and captured three batteries. He hopes that God grants that McClellan's army face "total annihilation." He has found that tea costs seventeen dollars despite knowing someone who was able to get the tea for four dollars per pound. He is glad that Pen escaped the battle and that he does not think that the contest will last more than a week or ten days. Writes that in…

GLC06582.28

1 July 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Tells his wife she should not give way to the gloom she expressed in her letter, and reminds her that their condition is much better than that of others. Explains that he and she are both alive whereas many from the south such as Mr. Daniel and Capt. [Crittenden?] have died, away from their wives and families whom they "had not seen for months." In addition, he mentions the situations of many Southerners, which include eating half rations, "toiling in the marshes of the Chickahominy, drinking its execrable water."

GLC06582.29

5 August 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Writes that he has not heard a word from home but worse yet he has not heard a rumor. Heard that Greenwood was stripped of everything except 5 barrels of corn and 300 pounds of bacon. He also heard of Parsons Cole being dragged from Church and arrested for praying for the welfare of Confederate authorities. Mentions that the Yankees are becoming "savages" that have forgotten the teachings of civilization. He trusts that God will no longer "indulge them" but destroy them like the Assyrians. He calls Stonewall "the angel of pestilence."

GLC06582.36

11 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Mentions missing travel connections and seeing Uncle Jack and William. He reported to Colonel Deas but because Deas might have to go the field George may have to find another office. He writes of plans following the departure of Deas. He says that he is starved and has not eaten a mouthful since the day before. He claims to be more and more depressed as the separation from his wife endures. He reflects on how when they first married neither one expected this war. He reports news of the democratic victory in the elections and hopes that the war will end soon. He says that he was upset over…

GLC06582.37

16 September 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

He has been informed by Mr. Brown that Thom Lewis is dead and that Mrs. Shackleford is extremely low. Mr. Brown also informed George of the diseased conscripts that are to report to Camp Lee. He writes that he expects a "large congregation of Culpeper men" to arrive. He describes a spiritual change he feels he is undergoing. He mentions the arrival of Cousin James. He writes that it is too early to make plans for the winter because he may have to go to the field or that the war may be over. He suspects that the latter is most probable because with McClellan in Maryland and Buell in Kentucky,…

GLC06582.40

18 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that Jack will go up in the morning and will bring with him a package of soap, candy, a dress for Liz, and this letter. He saw Dr. Rixey today and sent him $51 to be delivered to her. He got three handkerchiefs for Aunt Betsy at $1.50 a piece. He asks her to deliver them and collect the money. He says he has yet to hear about his application and that further delay should be expected with the resignation Mr. Randolph from the Cabinet. He admits that not hearing much from home leads him to think that the family has forgotten him.

GLC06582.52

19 November 1862

Williams, George M., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Informs her that John left that morning for Soldier's Rest. He mentions sending fifty dollars with Dr. Rixey and says that he will send fifty more dollars when he gets paid. He writes that he has heard nothing more about his application. Additionally, he mentions that he has heard a rumor that the "President is dissatisfied with the nominations sent to him by Mr. Randolph." He mentions that Charley Williams will go up to Redwood and offer himself as a volunteer. He mentions that if he had the money he would do the same thing although that does not "bar the operation of the Conscript Act." He…

GLC06582.53

January 18, 1821

Robbins, Josiah, 1766-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Sends an enclosed paper (not included) with an unspecified request from one of Robbin's friend, which involves a payment of some sort. Discusses local Revolutionary War pensions, noting that many people have received their pensions and asking if Hobart can do anything to send the certificate of pension for Benjamin Richards, William Robbins, and Solomon Bartlett. Also, discusses "the Importance of the Mackerel fishery bounty Bill." Mentions the death of their probate judge and possible successors.

GLC06313.04.096

December 13, 1861

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Written on patriotic stationery. Shifflet hopes that Johney will be well soon. He got paid today, twenty-three dollars, and "will send you all I can spar." He encourages his wife to persevere until he returns, "if I ever doo." They "expect a fight everday" but "they are in a vary good place now" and he has plenty to eat. Scribbles on verso of second page, delicate, tear along fold in middle.

GLC02174.01

March 11, 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Written on patriotic stationery. Shifflet was very thankful to receive the box of chicken, pies, and cakes she sent as he "had nothing fit to eat for three weeks" and "it puts me in mind of home." He expects to see the family very soon if all goes as expected though "the prospect is now that we will have a fight." The Confederates attacked their picket lines the night before and his regiment stood picket twice but the "rebbles didn come" and it rained "as hard as I ever seen it." He believes "thar is a heep more danger to stand picket" than to fight on the battlefield. His regiment is…

GLC02174.03

December 22, 1862

Shifflet, Hillary, 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jemima Shifflet

Shifflet was unhappy to hear that his wife is "striping tobacco for I donte want you to hav to work for noboddy but your self." He has "but one oald shirt and hit [it] is full of holes and no socks a tall." He asks for descriptions of the children and about how things are going at home. He tried to get home for Christmas but he "will hav to take sowbelly and hav a crackers for my Chrismas dinner." He reports that "our men had a mity hard fight in virginia" and claims that "the war wood bin over if oald lincoln had let the negro question alone." He continues "if he [Lincoln] were "in hell…

GLC02174.06

20 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Clapp says Charles Town is in Virginia, but was mistaken. Received two letters from them yesterday. One also came with $1, socks, suspenders, and a handkerchief, all of which he appreciated greatly. Does not get mail as regularly as while at Petersburg. In "the last 48 hours… we had no sleep nor not a mouthful of food." Encountered some farm animals and killed them, but did not have much time to prepare and cook them. His brigade was sent back to Winchester, Virginia to wait for the supply train while the rest of the corps marched south. The supply train consists of over 3,000 wagons full of…

GLC09355.085

26 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got a letter from them dated 1864/08/21 last night. They write of not having received a letter from him in a long time, but does not know why his letters have not been delivered. Most of his letters have been short, "hurried" ones simply letting them know he was alright, but now will write a longer one. Saw that Metcalf died. Has made several raids into different cornfields and gardens for food. "The Army has stripped every corn field and potato patch they have been near in this valley and made perfect hogs of themselves." Thinks the war will end this fall. If they are not going to send the…

GLC09355.087

13 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received his first letter from them in over two weeks. "I think this department is the worst we have ever been in for mail arrangements." Has started to drill twice a day. "The weather is variable." It often rains without warning, and nights can be very cold. Has gotten much better at carrying heavy loads on marches. Will not have to spend any extra money on clothing this fall and winter. Will not write a letter to Johnny Banks' mother. "I am not capable of writing such a letter as I should wish to send to her under the existing circumstances, and again E.P.B. wrote immediately to her."…

GLC09355.090

24 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

George "is feeling better and he is looking better." George would write to them himself if he could. Has plenty of crackers and bread to eat. Read to him for a little while before writing this letter.

GLC09355.095

25 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Just came from George's room. Brought him some food. Made him a cup of hot chocolate with milk and sugar too. George looks a lot better this morning; he "is sitting up."

GLC09355.096

29 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Is sitting at George's feet while writing this letter. He just had a few pieces of bread. "He is not [at] all discouraged," but would love to be at home to "help Charles eat all the chickens." George will likely stay here 4 or 5 weeks and then might be sent home on furlough. The arm is doing "as well as can be expected."

GLC09355.098