January 20, 1919

Hopkins, Lawrence L., fl. 1918-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. A.W. Hopkins

Writes to his mother about his lack of letter-writing opportunities. Describes the local weather conditions. Wishes he could draw so he could send pictures of his ramshackle temporary housing. Includes a few anecdotes surrounding the lice problem in camp. Written on YMCA letterhead.

GLC07810.042

9 April 1919

Lyons, Curtis Blair, 1894-1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Helen Lyons

Writes to his wife about the possibility of his returning home in a few weeks. Fears that his daughter will not recognize him when he returns. Mentions taking classes on agriculture and machination. Discusses the slow and intermittent mail service. Replies to Helen's request to shave his mustache when he returns by saying he only grew one for the photograph to see what family at home would say. Written on YMCA letterhead.

GLC07810.072

circa 1868

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Object

Title: [U.S. Army razor]

U.S. Army razor, engraved "U. S. Grant," with White House provenance.

GLC08394

8 July 1866

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says there has been hot weather lately and that their father is in good health. Says he has not answered whether he would like to take advantage of an investment opportunity in a house in Baltimore for 200 dollars. Their father has rented a nice house until 1 October. Says she is putting off all enjoyments until he gets home. Mentions that there are several cases of cholera in Baltimore. Continues the letter on 17 July 1866 -- Says she read in the Sun that the "Wyoming" (Henry's ship) was involved in a collision in Nagasaki, Japan and she hopes it is…

GLC03523.21.59

February 12, 1864

Flower, May, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her uncle

Written at Penfield by May Flower. States that her mother will not let her write because she does not write well enough yet. Asks if he has to "work" on Sunday. Writes that her mother has told her about his childhood. Tells him that sometimes her uncle allows her to do his hair. She would like to do his hair for church. A note is added by May's mother explaining that the uncle whose hair May does is a man named Mr. Marvin [?].

GLC03523.42.37

22 August 1862

Clark, Hank S., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank

Apologizes for not writing to him in such a long time. He has had a long journey and recounts his travels through Chicago, Illinois and many other towns. Writes of the many "eager applicants" he found at the draft office of Captain Christopher. Says that many of them are "shoulder strapped gentry." Writes of the conversation between him and Captain Christopher about needing transportation to rejoin his regiment [15th Illinois Infantry]. Captain Christopher did not have his uniform on and he added his name to a list of other soldiers who had been waiting to rejoin their regiments. Some of the…

GLC03523.42.15

30 June 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He reports that he is in good health and still in the same location. He writes that his regiment has been relieved from the front lines and are now in the third line. He has washed his clothes and the regiment is getting some rest. Writes of a skirmish between the Confederate and Union pickets to their right, near the 23rd Corps. His regiment "sprung to their guns" in case the rebels broke through; hoping to pay the rebels back for the Battle of Resaca. The firing soon stopped and a quarter of the men were placed on guard duty and the rest…

GLC07460.084

1861-1865

S.C. Rickards and Company, fl. 1861-1865

Broadside

Title: The Soldier's Camp Companion

Title continues: "Containing the most important information in relation to the Soldiers' Duty, Pay, Rations, Allowances, County (in money and Land), how to apply for it, who is entitled to it, &c. Compiled from the late U S Laws, with Advices and Hints on Camp Life, from an Old Campaigner." Provides practical advice for staying comfortable and healthy during the Civil War. Describes recipes. Discusses cleanliness and dealing with injuries and wounds. Also discusses pay and rations, and how to obtain them.

GLC08442.06

January 23, 1793

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that Henry Jackson Knox has returned in perfect health. He was satisfied with his trip to Boston. As Lucy is anxious about his hearing, she reports that "I think it is far better than I have known it." Says his hair is long and thick, but she has prevailed upon him to have it cut. Reports that his bed is finished, but that she could not procure any bedding and she wrote to Henry Jackson for help. Says her boys have not yet returned to school since the holidays because of sore throats. Was particularly concerned because of the recent bad weather. Took tea with General Benjamin…

GLC02437.05792

7 October 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from the "Rooms of General Court Martial" in Memphis. Reports he likes his new job clerking and his room is very nice with a good bed, a coal grate, and gas lighting. Says his work is from nine o'clock in the morning until noon with the rest of the day free. Informs him he received a package from an unknown sender with the "Democratic Ticket" in it and a request to distribute them in the regiment and use his influence in favor of McClellan. Exclaims he does not intend to vote for McClellan. Anticipates the war will be over soon. Discovers he has bed-bugs and is sleeping on the…

GLC03523.10.136

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

1876

Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895

Print

Title: A wagoner's shanty

Marked "Plate 4." Contains 3 separate images. Upper left image is titled "A wagoner's shanty," and shows a winter camp of a wagoner. The wagoner is chopping a log in front of his log cabin, which has an overhang of crossed branches and brush. At the top of the chimney is a wooden barrel, where smoke is emanating. Two horses are tied to a post in the background. Upper right image is titled "The Deserted Picket-hut" and shows a desolate scene with a tent-like structure covered in dirt. Bottom image is titled "Mud Huts," and shows several huts with smoke emanating from chimneys topped by wooden…

GLC08653.03

February 3, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Believes that the 8th regiment and other regiments in the brigade will sail tomorrow. Gives details of life on the ship including the poor quality of the food, water and sanitation. Also mentions five rebel deserters who had captured a small ship and interacted with the soldiers onboard the Sentinel. Reports that the rebels told the soldiers of the "strong Union feeling" among many of the rebel troops.

GLC03603.074

February 4, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Provides more information about ship-board conditions including "bed bugs…large enough to carry knapsacks." Adds that his family should not speak about the poor conditions he describes as it might hurt enlistment.

GLC03603.075

24 April 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to news from home by saying that one of his family's boarders should be kicked out. Further says that the boarder's sons are despicable soldiers and write home with lies that are then transmitted to his family. Complains of body lice and hopes they can be treated with an ointment provided by the doctor.

GLC03603.098

5 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his family for the package and mentions getting a prayer book, a bag of tea, sardines, gumdrops and a set of brushes and combs. Written "South of Newbern," likely in North Carolina.

GLC03603.102

8 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of setting up new tents and using boards from the "Rebel fort" as a floor. Says that the 8th Regiment was ordered to Newbern to recruit. Complains about the lack of good and accurate press regarding the 8th Regiment and says that they have done far more hard work than they are given credit for. Also complains about the presence of ticks. Written "Near Newbern," in North Carolina.

GLC03603.103

1 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in defense of Dr. Storrs, the new Company doctor. Explains that many dislike him because he does not take time enquiring about their feelings but rather works from an intuitive doctor's sense. He also inspects sanitary conditions in the camp and has issued an order that all men must bathe at the 5 p.m. drum call. Responds to reports of his illness that have reached his family through other soldiers' letters by saying that they are much exaggerated. Also responds to his mother and sister proposing the idea that they go into an army hospital as nurses. Writes that he is very opposed to…

GLC03603.110

8 July 1863

Knox, Andrew, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Knox

Knox writes to his wife from Fort Scott in Virginia. Expresses deep love for her. Comments "It will be a source of great gratification for me to know that we have done our share towards preserving the Union and Liberties of our country." Inquires about the baby and requests a lock of her hair. Asks when the baby will be baptized. Reports he is officer of the day and they will start for Fort Richardson. Complains about fleas. Says Confederate General Robert E. Lee is so badly defeated, the rebels will not be able to recover. Letter has a Union logo on it.

GLC03523.20.08

May 1783

Forsyth, James, fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account of provisions and stores issued to Major General Knox's family]

Lists provisions by weight. Includes items such as flour, beef, fish, soap, rum and salt.

GLC02437.02141

23 July 1783

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: [Army rations issued to Captain Vincent and his followers]

Major Shaw, an aide-de-camp to General Knox, ordered James Forsyth the Commissary of West Point to issue Captain Vincent and his "companions, friendly indians" 3 pints of rum "to drink the health of Congress." Also orders 3 pounds of soap to be given to them to wash their shirts. Docket signed by Vincent that they received the rum and soap.

GLC02437.02321

1 October 1783

Brown, Zephaniah, 1739-1810

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Provision return]

Return of provisions for Baron von Steuben's steward. Lists items such as soap, salt and vinegar. Date from docket. Includes a note of receipt on the verso signed by Sergeant Samuel Cranston.

GLC02437.02731

3 October 1783

Johnston, W., fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Provision return]

Lists provisions and amounts. Items include candles, soap and salt.

GLC02437.02615