January 19, 1864

Bliss, Zenas Randall, 1835-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Colonel Bliss replies to a note from the recipient (possibly Captain Ethan A. Jenks) discussing corn Bliss ordered the recipient to obtain.

GLC02750.013

1852-1902

Bennett, Samuel H., fl. 1852-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Angeline M. Bennett

Dated 26 December. He describes his dinner. He asks what regiment her brother is in because he wants to write him.

GLC02161.180

1861-1877

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Engraving

Title: Valley Forge

One engraving entitled "Valley Forge" circa 1861-1877. Depicts the harsh conditions experienced by the American Continental Army soliders stationed at the Valley Forge Military camp in Pennsylvania over the winter of 1777-1778. Published by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing.

GLC08878.0060

16 March 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Etta

Writes that he is on picket duty twice a week and that he was recently in Knoxville. Reports that contraband come into the lines every day to list for sugar. Also reports that the troops are currently engaged at Dandridge.

GLC06728.039

3 July 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he is able to get vegetables of all kinds at reasonable rates. Reports that some of the boys took down a Secesh flag and put up the stars and stripes in its place. Writes that he has seen the "enticements" for reenlistments and believes the government will get better soldiers this way. Has not heard from the regiment since they began to march; has heard last accounts of them being near Tullahoma. Writes that none of his friends at camp belong to his father's order. He would like to be home helping his father hay, but it would be risky for him to run away.

GLC06728.050

12 September 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ettie

Writes that Rosecrans was in Chattanooga with his regiment and he wishes he were there. Asks how his siblings Josh and Martt are getting along. Writes that rations have been reduced to half, but there is still plenty of potatoes and beef. Urges Ettie to send the pictures he's been waiting for as quickly as possible. Has sent home a selection of pictures of the regiment. Writes that the paymaster will be looking into whether the sentence of a court martial for paroled men is authorized. Thinks that paroled men are not soldiers. Believes there is a possibility that he will be discharged…

GLC06728.055

28 October 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he came back to camp to find that the men were living on half rations of hard tack and beef with no other food. Explains that the short rations are due to the limitations of transporting provisions. Reports that four soldiers were killed and some are missing. Also reports that only two hundred soldiers were mustered, fifty of which are sick. Writes that he can see the rebel camp from his camp. An agreement has been made between Union and Confederate pickets to not bother each other. Writes that the pickets have been exchanging papers, but the practice has now been prohibited…

GLC06728.057

5 November 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sisters

Complains about the reduced rations of food. Reports that the rebels still hold Lookout Mountain but the breastworks are substantial enough that the rebels would be defeated. Writes that General Osterhaus is in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Continues to write about the lack of food. The soldiers contemplated eating some mule meat, but were able to get some hard tack and sow belly to appease their hunger. Mentions the exemption law and hopes that it is repealed by January of 1864. Advises that a friend not move to the West as "the conveniences he will find in the West he will find as many…

GLC06728.058

7 January 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that three fourths of his regiment has reenlisted, but he does not feel that $402 is enough incentive for him to reenlist. Reports that he has been assigned duty in the 88th Illinois, Co. K. Also writes that Grant had visited Sheridan's headquarters about a week ago. Rations are short, so many of the soldiers have to grate corn in order to have something to eat. Writes about a camp dish named "sun of a Bitch" consisting of crackers fried in grease. Expects to be home at the end of the current term of service. Includes a note dated 9th of January 1864 in which he writes about the…

GLC06728.063

January 31, 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Complains about the lack and quality of food at camp. Writes that corn meal and beef bones are the primary sustenance and that the beef the soldiers eat "would stagger an American's appetite". Reports that the farthest East he's been is Dandridge, forty miles east of Knoxville, TN. Complains that he has not heard from his family since Mission Ridge and wonders why they haven't written. Describes the area he is in as very rocky and mountainous; not suitable for him.

GLC06728.064

1 March 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that Longstreet has left the vicinity of Knoxville and is likely headed towards Georgia. Writes that there is considerable sickness at camp caused by "sick wheat flour". Believes that the bridge crossing will be finished by the middle of the month. Hopes to be paid soon upon which he will try to send some money home.

GLC06728.066

11 November 1862

Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He estimates that two-thirds of the company is sick though he boasts that "since I joined the army I have had better health [than] I ever had before." The Cavalry had a skirmish with the Confederates and the Union forces took 2,00 head of cattle that the Confederates were driving south to their Army.

GLC03858.02.04

29 December 1864

Pratt, Emery, fl. 1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank

Describes a series of events including a skirmish with General Hood's forces and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. Writes that some men from the company were lost and some "pretty badly demoralized". Also writes that the soldiers are living on half rations, which is tough, but he can endure it as he has two more years of service. Written near Rodgersville, Alabama.

GLC06728.080

24 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Glad to hear she is well; he is also well. Leg has improved so much that he can "[wear] my boot some and run some on it." The rest of his company arrived today to pitch tents for the winter. Sent ten dollars from Washington and twenty by express from camp, but she has not said if she received it. Tells her to "take care of the corn and potatoes" as soon as possible before the weather gets too cold. Hopes she can do her best during the harvest. There will not be any battles this winter. Heard from James the other day and found out that he is fighting in the Shenandoah Valley. There are nine…

GLC09273.08

19 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to friends

Here "safe and sound." Got here this morning, had to write as soon as possible. Met a lady from Elmira who worked for a Christian organization that "assisted me all they could." She accompanied him to the boarding house where he got breakfast. Had to wait until 5:00 PM for the boat. They accompanied him on the boat. Had to take an oath of loyalty to the United States. Got a pass to go on to the boat. One of his friends went with him. Had breakfast the next day free of charge. Says the Christian Commission has been "brothers and sisters to me." Found Charles to be "as well as could be expected…

GLC09273.06

7 November 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

It is raining very hard, but all at camp are in good health. Asks how the potato harvest went. Advises her not to sell any more hay after the last half ton, because "you may want it" later. If she does not want it, she can always sell the rest. If Betsey wants any hay, she should receive hers first. Reminds her not to spend too much money and "keep something to buy your wheat with." Is not sure when he will be paid again. If she runs out of money, she can always borrow some from Betsey. Asks her to put her trust in the Lord if times get tough.

GLC09273.10

1 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Received two letters from her last night, one dated 11/23/64 and the other 11/25/64. Happy she included four extra postage stamps in one of them. Leg is "almost well." Weather is "very warm." Has recovered from his cold. Beef for dinner tonight. If Cary comes for the half ton of hay, he can have it. She must not let the hay rot. Realizes that on the 7th of the month it will have been exactly three months since he left for war. She will "have to do the best you can about that wood." Sorry that he cannot write to Charles, but he does not have much time. If he wants to he can slip in a half…

GLC09273.12

14 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

The letter is printed on stationery provided by the U. S. Christian Commission. Is in good health. Received two letters from her this morning. One had some cough medicine in it. Got the receipt for his box. "I want to kiss you." Will be staying in camp for the winter. Found Joseph in camp; he is healthy and did very well on the march. Guernsey also "stood it first rate." John, on the other hand, "growled all of the way but he came through [alright]." Had some pudding for dinner. Has been living very well; gets at least two loaves of bread a day and will be making his shanty even better for…

GLC09273.14

15 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Cough is almost gone. Leg is a bit sore but is getting better. In all other respects his health is "tip top." Got another letter from her today. Was happy to see that it had four stamps in it. Received orders to build shanties today. Joseph and Fayette are both healthy. John "grunts about the same." Guernsey is alright. Is cooking beef for supper. Says he prays to the Lord all the time to get him through the war. "Fayette has made up his mind to live a different life than" the one he has lived so far. Asks her to teach the Christian way to Oscar so he can learn "to be a good boy." Loves both…

GLC09273.15

18 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is very healthy: "cough is most well, my appetite is first rate, and I feel first rate." Leg is still a bit sore, but it is getting better. Fayette is healthy, but Joseph has the mumps. Eats all he can get at, and gets enough food. Moved about a mile and a half from where they had been in order to get more wood. General Gregory says that they might be putting up their shanties there. Would greatly appreciate it if she sent him his box. Wishes he could see her and Oscar, but his faith in the Lord has given him patience. Will likely wait out the winter at his current position. By the time…

GLC09273.16

25 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Hopes she is having a merry Christmas. Got some sausage, apples, and soft bread for breakfast. Most of the company left for picket duty, but he stayed behind with Joseph and ten others. It has been very wet and cold for the past three or four days. It is a bit warmer today. Has been working at his shanty, but has the day off today. The new camp is about five miles farther from Petersburg than the old one. Just went to dinner; had some boiled rice . Feels "first rate." Has gotten some sores on his leg, including one "just below my knee" that hurt "a good deal." Got another letter on the 22nd…

GLC09273.17

January 12, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Letter is printed on U. S. Christian Commission stationery. All are well and hope the same is true of her and Oscar. His health is "the best that it has been since I was shot." Received his fourteenth letter from her the night before. Urges her to look out for herself. Glad that she got that money to pay off the creditors. Once he gets paid, he will send his salary home so that she can pay whomever needs the money and still have some left over for herself. He can pay the rest once he returns home in the fall. Discussed the financial situation with Fayette. Asks her to tell Jane that he thinks…

GLC09273.20

January 13, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Leg is "almost well." Received two letters from her the night before. Glad she got most of the wood drawn. Weather is warm and nice. Has been cooking most of the day. Does not have time to write much. Soldiers went looking for some boats today that were carrying supplies. "We don't get many papers here." Glad she did not buy anything from Betsey. Wants to know how much money is left, and tells her to save as much of that money as possible. Tells her to feed the cows some meal before they come in "so that they will be a-gaining when they come in." It is very important to keep the cows well-fed…

GLC09273.21

January 24, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are in "tip top health" and hopes she is too. Weather is clear but cool. Has been cooking beef all day. Is "the fattest I have been since we have been married." All the men can eat "like pigs." Does not think he will have to fight much once fighting starts, because his regiment is in the reserve corps. Leg had almost healed when it "began to swell up on my knee and got very sore." The doctor put "some stuff" on it, and it is getting better. Can still walk very well. His work is not too hard. Does not think any of his friends will get hurt fighting. Stopped writing for the night, and…

GLC09273.23

February 25, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Feels "first rate." All are getting along well. Leg is feeling very good. Hopes she and Oscar are also well. Wishes he were home, but is contented to stay out his term. The time until he comes home will not seem so long once the weather gets warmer. It is sunny but cold today. Had to go and draw rations for the company and then cook them alone. This is his only duty now that he has begun to cook. John is still at the hospital at City Point. Fayette received a letter that they think is from him, but they cannot be sure because it is unsigned. Another man moved into his tent, making five…

GLC09273.29