15 August 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to Bell Wharton

Letter is not signed, but based on content it is likely written by Joseph Maitland. Expresses great pleasure at receiving her letter. Reports on the food in camp: coffee, sour bread, strong pork, rice and beans once in awhile. "We have an old nigger wench Blacker than the 'Ace of Spades' to cook for us..." Mentions the hundred days men (temporary soldiers), their difficulty adjusting to the climate, and the high amount of sickness among them. Reports that "every evening we hear the muffled Drums & the shrill notes of the Fife telling us that another victim is being borne to his long home…

GLC03523.10.133

16 August 1864

Moore, S.R., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes to Joseph from camp near the Tallahatchie River. Complains of being nearly shirtless and plans to take some Rebel's wardrobe when he gets a chance. Requests Joseph sends some stamps and promises to repay him. Reports a forage party of five men have been detailed to go outside camp, "...we have rather slim rations the country around here for miles is stripped of forage and we have very strict orders about going outside the pickets as there have been several of our men captured."

GLC03523.10.134

16 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Reports on some of the activity going on including train guard and the arrival of trains loaded with men which he thinks may be ill or convalescents. Writes that Confederate General Wheeler has not frightened them with his raids. Writes that ten days rations have been put in the fort but will probably be brought out again for the soldiers to eat. Discusses the price of grain and is glad to hear that oats is selling for a good price. Writes to his mother that he has been singing again. Updates his family on some of the other soldiers from his hometown including John Defield who is sick in…

GLC07460.055

24 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha and family

Discusses activity regarding train guard. Writes that they would be able to drive the Rebels from Georgia without firing a gun, if they had Austrian rifles. Mentions that U.S. Grant is now their commander and reports that he passed through Nashville a few days ago with some generals on the way to the front. Writes that it is unlikely that his regiment will be called to the war front. Asks that cheese and butter be delivered to him with someone that is going back to camp. He writes that he'd rather not have more than four or five pounds of butter and a few of cheese at a time. Remarks…

GLC07460.057

29 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that some of the men from his regiment are out on train guard duty on a branch road leading out to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He asks that Thomas Albee's mother be told that Albee hasn't been able to write because he's been on train duty. Reports a train attack and raids by some guerillas, but assures his family that the 105th regiment (Wheeler's regiment) hasn't been attacked. Reassures his sister that Lincoln's increasing of troops doesn't mean the war is not going to end soon; on the contrary he writes " if he would call for a million men it would be better." Remarks that " Old Abe…

GLC07460.058

14 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Remarks that city folks "live too high" compared to soldiers. Writes that he was given three pounds of butter by another soldier which will last him for a while. He will soon know if the company will stay in Nashville through the winter. Reports that the 13th Illinois will be joining the 105th at the front and will arrive at Stevenson in a few days. Writes that he was satisfied with the election returns and states "they certainly bode no evil for our cause and furnish no consolation for Rebels." Jokingly writes that he won't be snow sleighing this winter but will "slay" some Rebels and…

GLC07460.060

21 April 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell complaining about her lack of letters to him. Reports his health is better after a week of medicine and exercise. Comments there were proceedings scheduled in honor of the late President Lincoln, but rain prevented them. Mentions a letter he received from a neighbor at home condemning the use of tobacco; "...she hoped that if I ever got a wife, it would be with the understanding that I would have to give up the use of tobacco entirely."

GLC03523.10.180

24 October 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the arrival of a schooner carrying items Knox was sending to Hodgdon, including spars. Mentions their plans for shipping items by vessel, such as corn, and comments extensively on the shipping industry.

GLC02437.06852

16-17 May 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the damage the armies have done to the local farms, crops and livestock. Continues writing on 17 May 1862 that he ran out of money and borrowed some from a man who is going home. Tells Mary to feed the man as repayment.

GLC02715.011

20 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Discusses the price of various food items.

GLC02715.021

23 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Requests Mary sends him butter and soap.

GLC02715.022

27 July 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Complains about the cursing, drinking and card playing in camp. Says he will apply for a furlough. Adds that he will understand if Mary is unable to send him the butter and soap. Discusses his sister Margaret being ill.

GLC02715.023

19 October 1862

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Phleagar

Says the army has been quiet, but he believes a big battle is coming. He mentions food available and a lack of soap. Asks Mary, his wife, to make him a shirt, drawers, pants, and a knit cap. Notes he received two months pay and that he intends to buy a pair of boots and send the rest to his wife.

GLC02715.033

30 December 1833

Winn, John, 1789-?

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Terms for hiring slaves]

Lists the names and prices of enslaved people who have been lent out by John Winn, and to whom they have been lent. Terms specify the time payment is due, the return dates, provisions required to be given to the enslaved people, and forbidding their working near water or in mines.

GLC03434.54

6 December 1824

Manuscript document

Title: Account of sales of the personal estate of Thomas Winn

Lists property sold by the estate of Thomas Winn, with name of purchaser and amount paid listed for each item. Property sold includes enslaved people, animals, tools, foodstuffs and furniture. John Winn and George Winn purchased several items from the estate. Docket also lists the hiring of three enslaved people.

GLC03434.60

January 24, 1691

Williamson, Augustine, fl. 1691

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Promissory note for five thousand pounds from Augustine Williamson to William Johnson]

Augustine Williamson promissory note owing "five thousand pounds of good sound Merchantable sweet sented Tobacco and Caffe" to William Johnson. Docket states that Johnson now owes four thousand pounds to John Somoes. Signed by John Vivion, John Williamson, William Vallicot, and by Augustine Williamson with his mark. Also signed by Edwin Thacker as Middlesex County Court Recorder, and affixed with a seal. The docket, dated 23 October 1695 and 2 December 1696, is signed by James Williamson, Edwin Thacker, and Robert Williamson with his mark.

GLC03434.69

14 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks William, his brother, for news of the location of William Howe's fleet. Apparently speaking of the British, writes "It is improper for a person in any Station to speak thus were it to be divulged but I do not believe there ever was a set of men so perfectly disqualified by a total & profound ignorance of every thing that might to constitute the Characters of Leaders of an Army to conquest- poor people they must evacuate the Continent or they will be entirely undone- I beg you not to imagine that by deprecation of their abilities I mean to exalt our own. God forbid- I shall say…

GLC02437.00726

16 November 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Requests that William obtain items for Lucy Knox, his wife. Asks that he send the articles so Lucy may receive them by mid-January. Requests green tea and "raisons." Discusses the procurement of goods, and gives William advice on business matters. Agrees to help Sally and Betsey Winslow reach Boston, noting "the distressing circumstance will be how they will be able to subsist when there... their mother in Law is going to England & they will be left friendless and without protection-" Reports that the British have not completely evacuated New York, but two fleets recently embarked.…

GLC02437.00736

20 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Agrees with William that commerce is a profitable venture. Quotes Shakespeare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken [at] the flood lead[s] on to Fortune..." Discusses William's previous proposal, which apparently involves buying goods on credit from a merchant who might travel to America. Contemplates the uncertainty of the venture and the difficulty in obtaining credit, associates, and bills. Remarks that Spain "will accede to our Independence," and will give credit to American currency. Instructs William to consider all circumstances and to decide whether a European or…

GLC02437.00753

11 April 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses business ventures and the depreciation of currency. Mentions the General Arnold, a ship in which Knox was apparently invested. Refers to a certain gentleman, whose name is not mentioned. States, "...I have the most unequivocal evidences every day that he esteems me- most certainly I love & esteem him for his disinterested virtues." Mentions his wife and two daughters, Lucy and Julia. Asks William to procure and send green tea and sugar.

GLC02437.00757

12 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He cannot pray at night in the 20th Ohio and must rely on secret prayer. All the prisoners "that we get say that the rebel armey is both starveing and getting naked for the want of clothes."

GLC02739.046

30 July 1781

McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

McDougall signs as "Brutus," a pseudonym often attributed to him related to his involvement in the Newburgh Conspiracy. Writes a cryptic and critical letter, questioning plans made for the Continental army and the authority of Congress. Expresses eagerness to "reduce New York," but admits that the Continental force is too weak to undertake such a venture. Complains that his garrison is "every sixth day without meat." Refers to the "Duke of Roxbury" (McDougall's nickname for William Heath) and "Ignatius Loyola," (evidently, from context, a reference to Benjamin Lincoln). Mentions the new…

GLC02437.01101

4 August 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Reports on his first day of service as 1st Lieutenant of Company "C" of the 2nd Regiment of Vermont Infantry. Encamped near Brickeystown, Maryland. Mentions Captain [Nathaniel] Wales' injury during the Battle of the Wilderness. Discusses a delay in receiving mail. Comments on sister's abstinancy during a time of sickness. Describes rebel pillaging of local flouring mill: "...near here is quite an extensive flouring mill and the owner says that the rebels took about $18.00 worth of flour, wheat and other property from him but he says he is willing to lose it all if we can only accomplish our…

GLC03523.18.21

26 November 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes from Camp Russell, near Winchester, Virginia. Explains that the camp's namesake, General David A. Russell, was killed in action during General Philip S. Sheridan's campaign in the valley. References Sheridan's orders for the 2nd Vermont to write "Winchester," "Fisher's Hill," and "Cedar Creek" on their banner. Also discusses Captain Wales and court martials at Headquarters. Notes that he is "officer of the day." Describes completion of railroad from Martinsburg to Winchester. Describes changes in the supply route, possibly key in establishing headquarters at City Point. Talks about…

GLC03523.18.33

5 December 1864

Morey, Charles C., fl. 1830-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Writes from Camp Russell near Winchester, Virginia. Mentions being part of Brigade Grand and having tea in camp. Thanks people back home for their interest in his welfare. Discusses movements of 5th Regiment into an old camp previously occupied by the 3rd Division.

GLC03523.18.35