February 22, 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No. 2." He has been promoted to Division Postmaster. Recounts three incidents which occurred while traveling between Nashville and Franklin. First, he tells of finding a group of men in Butternut whom he thought to be Confederates. He thought the men would capture him but they turned out to be local laborers running telegraph lines. For the next story, Magie cautioned his wife not to read the passage outloud. He then wrote how he followed a trail of calico to find a soldier and woman in a "horizontal position." He adds the couple claimed to be married. Finally, he mentions seeing two…

GLC05241.14

26 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 2." Encourages Charley to return to the army, because after the first of April all deserters will be shot or will suffer severe punishment. Gives instructions so that Charley will reach the camp without getting in trouble. Describes skirmishing with Confederates who destroyed the telegraph lines and a railroad bridge.

GLC05241.25

30 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 3." Written from camp near Franklin. Lieutenant McCandles sent in his resignation. Confederates cut off federal communication for a week and captured a train. One of the postmasters was taken prisoner on the way back from Nashville and the mail was captured with him. Thinks Charley should come back before he gets in trouble. Sends a pass for his son Charles Horton to join him.

GLC05241.26

circa December 25, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Tells of the Christmas telegram sent from [General William T.] Sherman to [President Abraham] Lincoln offering his gift of the city of Savannah, Georgia. Mentions receiving a gift from George and awaiting a package from home.

GLC04663.55

20 October 1865

Walbridge, Louise, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Walbridge

Family news and weather. A rash of break-ins has made the family uneasy. "I heard a commotion down stairs and Mother opening the front door, a very little thing alarms us in these days of murders and robberies so I ran down stairs as fast as I could. Harry, half dressed, proceeded me revolver stuck into his pocket. Our danger, melted away when we saw Mother, Bille, and Annie reading a telegraph saying that Minnie started[home] tonight..."

GLC04663.73

26 June 1863

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Wood

Written from London, Kentucky to his wife. Describes raids in Tennessee and Virginia, destroying railroads, burning bridges, tearing down telegraph wires. Also describes the rainy weather. Expresses concern because he sent a dollar in a letter, but does not trust the mail. Tells of the soldiers' dismay at Robert E. Lee's successes, but expects victory will come when they're on the "brink of despair." Expresses fatigue from the harsh treatment and difficult duty he endures.

GLC02176.07

1861

Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865

Diary

Title: Wallet diary.

Diary contains detailed accounts of weather, appointments, etc. In the entries for December 24 and following, Emerick records his final arrangements to leave for the South and his journey to join his regiment.

GLC06738.01

21 June 1880

Hall, E.W., fl. 1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Blanche Kelso Bruce

in regard to blunder made in telegraphing. was mistaken in Mr. Kimball's first name.

GLC09400.502

12 October 1848

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Garrett Moore

He reports his journey and arrival. He describes travel and boarding arrangements. Mrs. Livingston is unwell. A man was killed there in a duel the previous week, but was promptly caught.

GLC04191.24

8 March 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Reports that washed out bridges have resulted in no mail delivery for a week. He writes that lack of news has made him "tired and lonesome." After the arrival of the postmaster he closes his letter and reopens it the next day, where he mentions a telegraph dispatch reporting General Sheridan's capture of Confederate General Erling [Early]. He is afraid it is "all most too good to be true."

GLC03791.024

February 24, 1867

Slayton, William J., fl. 1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

William asks for news about home, family, and Asa'a school. He compliments Asa's wife and daughters. William mentions Mr. White of Ann Arbor, MI has sore eyes and seeks advice from Asa as to its cause, cure and cost of medicine. He mentions writing letter to Charles in Grattan. William apologizes for not sending a copy of the legislative journal more frequently and blames weather and flooding. Informs Asa that he plans to telegram his wife Sara to come visit Lansing by stagecoach.

GLC03955.09

18 December 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Sylvia describes the plot of a movie, and mentions that her father is a bit better but her mother is not doing well and they recently received a cablegram from Al.

GLC09414.0468

30 April 1863

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Dix issued a telegraph dispatch ordering them to stay after their term of service expires , until May 12th. but they don't want to stay. There's no reason why it is a necessity. Includes the order given from headquarters.

GLC07705.163

February 27, 1862

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jubal Early

Discusses "preparing your division for action," removal of officers wives, enemy at Harper's Ferry, and makeup of the Confederate Cabinet. Wishes to have "the necessary instructions now" for preparing the troops for battle, and if he should go "beyond the removal of the sick." Believes "Officers wives should be regarded as the greatest incumbrance - & ordered away from our camps entirely. Hears the enemy are "occupying Harper's Ferry in force." Also relates the contents of a telegraph from "Mr Banks." It conveys a list of "what is confidentially known to be the composition of the new…

GLC02461.13

5 January 1864

Smith, Romain, fl. 1860-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friend Frank

He writes that he is disappointed in not receiving as much correspondence as promised by his friend. Informs Frank that since the last time he wrote, he has taught himself how to use a telegraph machine. As a telegraph operator, he has been able to leave the regiment and receive up to $100 per month. Names several soldiers who have been killed or wounded and states that he will not go back to the regiment. Written at Nashville Depot.

GLC06728.062

February 3, 1865

Smith, Romain, fl. 1860-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank

Writes about his visit to company 36th's encampment. Also writes that he is now working as a military telegraph operator in Athens. Reports on the regimental casualties of the last battle.

GLC06728.082

12 April 1865

Smith, Romain, fl. 1860-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank

Writes that in addition to telegraph operator and Adams express agent, he is also acting as rail road agent. He writes that he would not trade his current position for any commission in the regiments. Promises to reply to a letter Frank sent him over a month ago.

GLC06728.084

April 1868

Flint, F.W., fl. 1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George F. Morse

work in a telegraph office, general poor business prospects in the south, intention to go West, and regards to relatives.

GLC02180.45

14 July 1862

Dewey, Orville S., fl. 1861-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary "Mollie" McLean

If anything bad happens, he has arranged it so that she will hear it in a telegram first and not in the paper. He got paid and is sending money home.

GLC02161.034

1861-1864

Thomas, J. E., fl. 1863-1864

Telegram signed

Title: to General

"the line is OK to Gauley & working badly. Presume the line will be ok tonight."

GLC02414.332

3 July 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"Col Harris [future Major General Thomas Maley Harris] Comdg at Beverly reported this AM that Colonel Jackson [future General William L. "Mudwall" Jackson] was approaching him from Huntersville Telegraph ceases to work at twelve (12) M - will advise you further...General Averill is going to his relief."

GLC02414.340

27 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Meeting a man named Church at 9AM; Church promised to be his tour guide for the day. They went to the Smithsonian Museum. Saw so many things that it would be impossible to even attempt to describe them all. Saw the coat, pants, and gloves that John Franklin, the British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer, wore on one of his expeditions to the Arctic region. One room is devoted to paintings and sculptures, and another room is a gallery of Indian paintings and portraits. Went for dinner at a restaurant and Church suggested they go to Alexandria if it is not too late. Greatly wanted to…

GLC09006.13

9 June 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Typed letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Written at 5:00 PM at the office. Sylvia was glad to get his telegram. Had seen a picture of soldiers in an overturned truck, and was worried he was involved in the accident. Went to see the film "Russian Story." Went to Tofenetti's afterward for strawberry shortcake.

GLC09414.0061

1863

Cook, Henry, fl. 1862-1864

Diary

Title: 1863 Diary

Henry Cook describes his life in camp, including his reading and other pasttimes, day trips into cities, soldiers' pay, food, and signal corps duty. He also writes of the movements of the signal corps and of his regiment (9th NJ Volunteers) in considerable detail, including information about the officers and about any skirmishes they encountered. He mentions battles at New Bern, Fort McAlister, Fort Jackson, Little Washington, Chancellorsville, Jackson, Miss., Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, and Tarborough by name. He refers to African Americans on several occasions, including the…

GLC03958.02

December 8, 1881 - January 13, 1883

Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886

Manuscript

Title: Executive Mansion logbook of retained telegrams copies: Incoming Messages

GLC04354.01