23 July 1864

Kellogg, James H., fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Every time the Rebels make a raid, they are helping the Union. Lee was "badly whipped," and driven back. He mentions Grant, who had a position, but realized it wouldn't work. He predicts the Rebels will soon have to abandon Petersburg and Richmond will be the scene of action. Hood was killed yesterday. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain,

GLC02415.094

26 March 1865

Thompson, Wilmot, fl. 1864-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

He describes a battle in which the Rebels lost 400 people.

GLC02740.37

28 March 1865

Thompson, Wilmot, fl. 1864-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

The Rebels lost 3,000 soldiers recently.He describes their efforts to take care of the dying and wounded.

GLC02740.38

15 June 1865

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Printed letter signed

Title: to Ethan A. Jenks

Stanton, Secretary of War, reports that President Abraham Lincoln appoints Jenks "for gallant and meritorious conduct before Petersburg, Virginia, a Major of Volunteers, by brevet."

GLC02750.202

20 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Glad to hear all is well. Sad to hear that [Silphey] had died and "sorry to hear that Charley was wounded." One of his comrade's guns had gone off, shooting him in the leg just above the ankle. The surgeon took the bullet out, and "it did not go through." Has been with the boys the whole time. His leg is rehabilitating quickly. "Can walk some" on the bad leg, but not completely. Still not much to do around camp. Weather is fine. Have not been in any real danger here. Joseph has gained seven pounds since he left. "They have sent plenty of men up to the front and they are going to take…

GLC09273.07

3 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "tip top." All are healthy. Left the old camp on March 28 "and marched about 8 miles and had an awful fight and whipped the rebs." Had another battle with the Confederates the next day. Fought the rebels again the next morning in a battle that "lasted till about dark," when they began to build defensive fortifications. Marched six miles the next day to meet Sheridan's cavalry. "We haven't lost a man out of the company." Has taken about 25,000 prisoners. The rebels have been pushed to the other side of the South Side Railroad, and Petersburg has fallen. "I haven't been in any of the…

GLC09273.38

16 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Gives a summary of recent events, including the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the pursuit of Lee to Appomattox, and the end of the war. Have been marching back east and north since then; thinks he is headed for Petersburg. Has received seven letters in the past day. If she thinks they should keep both pigs, then they can keep both. Wants to know how much money she has received from him. Feet are sore from marching. If he goes to Petersburg, he will have a chance to write more. Tells her to "have some potatoes planted and do with everything as you think best." Hopes he will be able to come…

GLC09273.40

19 June 1865

West, Charles T., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"I have participated in the following engagements, viz Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon R. R....my desire is...to remain service if found Capable...."

GLC02414.372

4 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All is well, hoping this letter finds her in the same condition. Sailed out of Washington to go to City Point, where he is writing from now. Sailed down the Potomac River and out into the Chesapeake Bay, arrived at a Union fort at midnight. Stayed there until morning, and then started for City Point, arriving there at 4:00 AM. Currently fourteen miles from Petersburg. Expects to begin drilling soon. Hopes to see her soon; expects "that after a short time I will see you all." Quite warm in Virginia. Put up his tent yesterday. Caught sight of Petersburg. "Will soon have Richmond and Petersburg…

GLC09273.03

14 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "kicking about." Has not had much to do. Joseph has gone with some men along the railroad to guard some men, but he will be back tonight. Is in the tent with Guernsey. The rest of the companies in the regiment are back in Washington, but they should be arriving here "today or tomorrow." She should be happy that he was not drafted. Draftees and substitutes are sent to the front immediately by the thousands. "They have got Petersburg surrounded and next week they say they will take Richmond and Petersburg both. There [are] some ironclads - 25 - going up to Richmond." Still has yet to…

GLC09273.05

1864

Cook, Henry, fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: 1864 Diary

In this diary, dated from January through November, 1864, Henry Cook documents life in the US Signal Corps. Stationed near New Bern, NC, Cook writes of matters of daily life--meals, rations, guard duty, trips to town, construction projects--and of military movement, including the coming and going of numerous officers. He notes rumors and reports of Union victories and losses, and he describes the combat that he encounters. After he contracts Yellow Fever, he writes extensively on his condition and the treatments that he receives and on the epidemic in nearby cities. The diary abruptly ends in…

GLC03958.03

16 June 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Writing from a hospital after bullet hit GWT in the foot, bruising the foot and making him lame. Discusses Grants losses in the campaign and the defenses of Petersburg.

GLC04558.141

23 June 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written in pencil. Cross written. Coming back from the hospital, finding many of his regiment wounded GWT takes his place in the trenches surrounding Petersburg. Describes life in the trenches, gives the number of wounded and killed for his regiment.

GLC04558.142

26 June 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written in pencil. Camped less than a mile from the front. Observes that shells are more dangerous in the rear than at the front. Discusses events of past few days; wishes his foot had been wounded so he could get a furlough.

GLC04558.143

4 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written in pencil. Expresses disappointment that the fourth was not being "celebrated with more noise for it was rumored yesterday that at daylight this morning all of our batteries would open on Petersburg and the rebel fortifications."

GLC04558.145

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

16 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Written on U.S. Christian Commission stationery. More discussion of artillery shelling and trenches; predicts a possible evacuation; worries over not having heard from his wife; better rations; illness. Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.147

21 July 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Cross written. Receives letters from home. Wonderful description of night time artillery barrages, comparing them to fireworks. Also writes of tearing down rebel fortifications, rain in the trenches, and news of comrades.Written in a camp near Petersburg, Virginia

GLC04558.148

16 September 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

With discharge time drawing near, the letter centers on preparations for mustering out. New clothes issued. Col. Fairchilds wants the regiment to go to Elmira to do some recruiting. Relates news about Petersburg: rebel troops steal cattle; large numbers of troops heading toward Petersburg, GWT believes it is the 19th Army Corps.

GLC04558.161

16 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about marching from Point of Rocks to a camp and then on towards Petersburg. Describes the 8th regiment driving rebel soldiers back into the woods. Gives more details about the fighting and says that the loss was very slight. Writes that the officers have taken up residence in a house and that he has been able to stand very close to General Grant.

GLC03603.292

24 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that, after 48 hours "at the front" they have been relieved. He writes about taking over a "pit" that contained fancy furniture that had been stolen. Describes battle with the rebel soldiers and reacts to news from home. Says that he does not sleep very much. Also writes about reading the Spectator and the Atlantic and about food prices.

GLC03603.294

3 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his regiment is "in the rear" to rest but that they are still working very hard. Notes that Captain Goodrich was shot while lying right next to him. Also writes that he has lost Colonel Sergeant Glover, one of the best men in his platoon.

GLC03603.296

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

12 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests a valise to be sent from home. Says a sutler, who is supplied by Smith and Co. in Norwich, has joined the troops. Notes that Captain Henry C. Hall was killed when he "exposed himself needlessly." Mentions two books or magazines "Atlantic" and "The River."

GLC03603.299

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