5 January 1784

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Pickering, Quartermaster General, transmits a certified copy of a receipt related to Captain [Coggeshall's] and a delivery of cannon to Colonel Cobb. In a post script, asks about medicines to be sent to New York for sale. Asks if Doctor [John] Cochran is in office (at West Point).

GLC02437.02913

21 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Drazilla Churchill

Reassures his mother of his safety by confirming that his division has been successful in the area of Corinth, Mississippi. Discussing Confederate General Sterling Price, writes "Wee have give Genrel Prise Hell in Mississippi and tenn He was advancing on Corinth with 40,000 strong and Genrel Grant send out troops to Repulse him we drove them into a corner whare thare lay Now with a large swamp on too sides of them and our Forses ar belting the led." Reports that his brigade is guarding a railroad, thus have not yet taken part in combat. States that his captain is very ill in a Corinth…

GLC03859.08

11 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill wishes his mother to know that he is alive and that he arrived at the hospital at David's Island from Wilmington, where he spent a month in the hospital there. Previously, he was a prisoner in Florence, S.C., where he suffered frostbite and lost all his toes.

GLC03859.26

16 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill would like his mother to send a box from home as his appetite is very good. Mrs. Robins laments the suffering of the soldiers, and urges the end of the war. She wishes no mercy for the South for their part in this "terrible tragedy."

GLC03859.27

28 April 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is making strides in his recovery, and believes that if he could get a furlough he could make the journey home, despite the fact that he cannot walk due to the condition of his feet. Mrs. Robins has hope that Col. Geer, who accompanied the prisoners from Wilmington to David's Island, may be able to secure a furlough for Churchill. A postscript indicates something of the conditions under which she writes: "…I am writing this in a great hurry and on my knee without even a book to rest on. I can, under some circumstances write at least a decent hand."

GLC03859.28

08 May 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill requests that his Uncle Nelson come and escort him home. He expects to be well enough to get out of bed in a few days.

GLC03859.29

15 May 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is well enough to go outdoors, but is not yet completely recovered. He requests ten to fifteen dollars from his mother to last him the remainder of his stay in the hospital, and expects to receive his discharge soon.

GLC03859.30

01 June 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill chastises his mother for not writing, and reminds her to send the money he requested previously. It was announced in the newspaper that all who have suffered in Southern prisons should be discharged with three months extra pay, thus he and others in the hospital should be coming home soon.

GLC03859.31

14 June 1865

Robins, Juliet G., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill has still received no word from his mother, nor has he received any money from her. Mrs. Robins argues that the money is unnecessary, as he gets plenty to eat at the hospital. He is recovering rapidly and should be able to walk by the time he returns home.

GLC03859.32

17 June 1865

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Well Brothe."

Churchill's doctor has taken another bone out of his toe, thus his recovery has been slightly delayed. He seems bored and restless ("I can't find anything to do….I have nothing to write so I do this to amuse myself…"), and asks the recipient to send him a couple of pouches of tobacco.

GLC03859.33

June 29, 1865

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Drazilla Churchill

Churchill has finally received the letter and money sent by his mother. He writes of a few boys leaving the hospital each day, though there is no sign yet of his own discharge. His health is generally good, although he is bothered by an itch in his toes. Churchill bids his family a happy Fourth of July.

GLC03859.34

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

January 30, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

13 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is in the hospital with jaundice. He had been sick for a week, but put off getting medical attention because he felt an engagement was immanent.

GLC04703.09

23 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is still in the hospital. Reassures his family that he is getting better. Acknowledges receipt of a package (the cheese was spoiled but he appreciated the brandy). General Banks orders Dederer and two other captains to report for duty or tender their resignations. The captains decide to resign. Dederer's doctor sent a letter certifying his illness and declaring him unfit for duty. [Accompanying envelope appears as if the stamp has been clipped.] [According to Civil War Day by Day, Federal troops at Brashear City surrendered on 6/23/1863.]

GLC04703.10

14 July 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Writing from the Marine Hospital, Dederer, with the New York Volunteer Regiment notes the success of Grant at Vicksburg. His opinion of pardoning rebel soldiers: "Gen'l Butler is the damned'st Scoundrel in the whole Federal Army, but it needs such a man to deal with these pretended senior men; men who just as soon as our backs are turned render all the possible aid and comfort to these small armies or bands of Guerrillas. I would not allow so many of them to take the oath, as but few of them regard it as all binding, and it only furnishes them with a cloak by which they hide their…

GLC04703.11

15 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles McKnight

Writes that in response to his request, he has not heard that any sick members of the garrison are suffering "for want of a Gentleman of the hospital." Writes that he does not feel it would be proper to grant him permission to travel to New Jersey on family business, perhaps because Dr. McKnight's services are needed at Fishkill: "If it really was with me to grant you the permission and the State of the service would permit it, I certainly should convey it to you without hesitation." See GLC02437.01662 for a related document.

GLC02437.01667

1 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall

Knox informs General McDougall of the death of Doctor [Hagan], who worked at the West Point hospital. Hagan was entitled to join the Society of the Cincinnati, and left behind a wife and young son, who are unable to afford "subsistence or protection." Reports that the boy is at Albany, New York. Writes "I shall make no apology for this communication being convinced that you will think it a case in point in which the society ought to interest itself." Knox was alerted of the situation by Doctor David Townsend, a friend of the family of the deceased.

GLC02437.02897

17 September 1864

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from Camp Smith near Nashville, Tennessee to his wife. Mentions being in the hospital, some of his comrades are in pursuit of General Joseph Wheeler's cavalry. Discusses tobacco he uses in camp. His regiment will go to Louisville, Kentucky to get horses and then proceed to the front (most likely with Sherman in Atlanta). Includes small illustrations of a pointing hand and a heart pierced with an arrow.

GLC02176.20

circa December 1862

Bush, George, fl. 1862

Map

Title: [Map of Fredericksburg]

A fairly complete and accurate map of the Union position at Fredericksburg. Shows federal positions, pontoon bridges, geographic features, roads and houses used as hospitals. The position held by Gibbon's Division is slightly exaggerated.

GLC03607.08

14 July 1782

Roxburgh, Alexander, fl. 1782-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written at Camp Ashley Hill. Major Roxburgh updates General Smallwood on Anthony Wayne's success in evacuating in evacuating Savannah, Georgia of British troops: "The enemy have evacuated Savannah and are so distressed for shipping that the garrison are object to go from Island to Island before they can reach Charles Town. They were so reduced by desertion that 'tis thought not more than four hundred Regular troops will reach town, the Torys have all joined General Waine and have become american soldiers for the war by way of atonement for their joining the enemy." Predicts that though…

GLC06508.07

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

22 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Just came from the room where Clapp is staying. There is a piece of shell still stuck in his arm. It is about an inch square. He "looked poorly" in the morning but is looking better now. The doctor thinks he is doing well.

GLC09355.094

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