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to Catherine (Kitty)
12 November 1862
Morse, Justus, fl. 1861-1864
He has joined his regiment in the field again. They are sleeping in log cabins and it is really quite nice. He has no hope of getting back home any time soon.
GLC02170.18
to Kitty
circa 1861-1865
He has what the doctor calls Fistula and it will take some time to get better. They are going to send him up the river. He longs for peaches and mellons.
GLC02170.26
21 October 1863
He got a letter from Jim the other day. He is sorry to hear that she still has a cough. He does not know wwhen he is coming home since they are not granting many furloughs.
GLC02170.30
to J. Morse
15 May 1864
C.S., fl. 1861-1864
She is very grateful for his kind offer to pay her living expenses in Bloomington. She will try to find something that he can afford.
GLC02170.46
to Mother
2 December 1861
Johnston, Witter H., fl. 1861-1864
He writes from the hospital. His health is improving. He is now able to eat a little but he still has to be careful. Written in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
GLC02167.05
to Mary Hughes
June 24, 1862
Hughes, Alfred, fl. 1862-1864
Desire to see his family.
GLC02166.006
June 26, 1862
Detailed description of the prison.
GLC02166.007
July 15, 1862
Sending provisions and personal effects to Camp Chase.
GLC02166.015
July 31, 1862
Explaining his appeal to Mrs. Thompson for parole; enclosing a clipping from the Cincinnati Gazette; numbering of letters.
GLC02166.027
August 13, 1862
Keeping track of sent/received letters.
GLC02166.034
August 17, 1862
Lack of vegetation in prison; Fifty-first Psalm and other devotional texts; concerns about his family's health in his absence.
GLC02166.038
August 20, 1862
News of his wife's diphtheria; vows to take the oath if necessary to return and nurse her back to health; receiving dispatch with news of her improved condition.
GLC02166.041
August 25, 1862
Moving to Prison No. 2, and possible discharge; restrictions placed on outgoing mail.
GLC02166.047
August 31, 1862
Hopes for release or parole; appointment of Judge Hitchcock to investigate cases of political prisoners at Camp Chase; Gen. Halleck's orders indicating release is inevitable; offers medical advice for her various ailments.
GLC02166.055
September 19, 1862
Account of their day of prayer and thanksgiving; escapes and attempted escapes from Camp Chase.
GLC02166.071
October 2, 1862
Birthdays of his wife and daughter; making her a present; inquiring after the children.
GLC02166.080
October 3, 1862
Retaining newspapers and their wrappers; arrival of Judge Hitchcock in Columbus to hear cases of political prisoners; hopes for parole.
GLC02166.081
to:G.W. Manyp[illegible]
October 18, 1862
Seeking assistance in securing release from prison. Also signed by W.W. Boggs, A.G. Davis, and J.W. Mitchell.
GLC02166.091
November 5, 1862
Death of a young man named Cooper; verses for a song written after the death of a man named Rutherford; apologies for such a sad and gloomy letter.
GLC02166.107
to Father
circa November 1861
Charles wants to take a furlough. He doesn't know when he, himself, will be home. He really likes his captain. He asks for money to cover travel expenses. Written at Camp Delaware
GLC02167.04
to Miss Sue Johnston
circa 20 December 1861
He loves the muster rolls that are nearly completed. They have a new cook house. He is very healthy but does not have much time for reading.
GLC02167.06
to Miss Dora Johnston
January 14, 1864
He is sorry she did not get any gifts for Christmas. They agree on Spencer's situation. He is awkward and lame and not used to society. They must make allowances.
GLC02167.08
January 28, 1864
He received a package which someone else opened ('strange hands"). But he was able to find walnuts and butter untouched.
GLC02167.10
5 May 1864
He sent for the Eclectic Magazine. One of the gunboats was there the other day but he didn't know until it had left. Had he known, he would have gone aboard.
GLC02167.16
16 July 1864
He is no longer confident the war will end soon. Everyone is in good spirits mainly because they have been signing the payroll.
GLC02167.23
15 August 1864
He is concerned because it looks Edgar will be drafted. Though he, himself, enlisted he has never for one moment regretted his decision. Later he describes getting attacked by mosquitos.
GLC02167.28
13 November 1864
They heard Lincoln carried every state but three. Elliot's uncle is sick. One of his fellow soldiers died. They will have monthly inspection on Monday.
GLC02167.37
8 December 1864?
He was a little sick with diarrehea but is feeling better now. He wishes his mother could visit and describes the interior of his tent. He goes over the amenities it offers. Water damage.
GLC02167.39
to unknown
1861-1866
There was a funeral for one of the men. There has been a lot of sickness in the company. There has been nearly a funeral every day.
GLC02167.42
He is glad they have a pastor again. They will be doing heavy artillery drills and he feels they will become great artillerists. They have been having very good food.
GLC02167.45
27 May 1866
He describes his day, first stopping at the Falls for over four hours, then meeting, Mr. Kellog's in Jackson. He is sorry he did not see Hattie. Cousin Theodore died.
GLC02167.48
to My parents
January 28, 1851
He visited uncle James and they had a donation visit for the Presbyterian minister.
GLC02167.57
to Mother [Mrs. Delia Johnston]
1861-1923
Johnston, Mary J., fl. 1861-1923
She has been to Uncle Hugh's and Aurnt Mary's. Laurens came down to visit. Uncle Hugh cave her a pattern for a dress while Eliza sent Laurens a nice book.
GLC02167.61
to Sister
24 October 1862
McFadden, Charles F., fl. 1862-1864
He hopes there will be a couple of new regiments coming to reinforce them.
GLC02169.02
to Daniel Kestor
6 August 1864
Mays, Wesley, fl. 1862
A notice of the death of a friend.who died on the battlefield.
GLC02169.06
to Respected Miss (Kitty)
18 April 1862
They are in Tennessee now and will most likey stay 4 or 5 days as they are being used as a guard. He got a letter from mary Dubois.
GLC02170.05
to Miss (Kitty)
14 June 1862
They are now in Memphis. The people there like to insult their army as they're going through town. Unfortunately, he can't come home now.
GLC02170.08
to Unknown
15 June 1862
The author writes she will have to plant corn without him. She will send him part of her dress and a lock of her hair. She tells him to write as often as he wants and not to wait for her.
GLC02170.09
14 September 1862
He gets anxious waiting to hear from her. A fight in their area is expected soon. Their sleeping quarters are very nice at present. He wishes he could eat peaches with her.
GLC02170.15
4 December 1862
He would love to be with her on Christmas and New Year's. He heard that his mother was sick. He is pretty sure, he, James and he will not be able to come to Monroe.
GLC02170.20
January 16, 1864
He enjoyed himself over Christmas and New Years but would much rather have spent it with her. He will get her Christmas present when he gets home sometime this winter. John Bakes has reenlisted.
GLC02170.37
26 April 1864
He offers to pay for her to go to school in Bloomington.He does not want her to waste herself. He tells her James Reagers is in Louisville, KY currently.
GLC02170.45
22 May 1864
Unfortunately, he did not get his pay so she will have to postpone going to school for a while, at least until July. He wishes he could go horseback riding with her now that she has a new saddle.
GLC02170.47
12 June 1864
She was sorry to hear of his chills. She expexts him to be coming home in about 4 months.
GLC02170.49
21 July 1864
.He thinks she should not tell anyone he gave her money because they will not leave her alone if they knew. He would love to go to church with her but they will have to be patient.
GLC02170.53
16 October 1864
He expects to be home by the Presidential election. He mentions breaking Mr. Baruft's buggy.
GLC02170.60
July 4, 1862
GLC02166.013
August 6, 1862
Encouraging his wife to write more often.
GLC02166.029
August 12, 1862
Handmade sleeve buttons for his wife; diphtheria in Wheeling; draft dodgers; enclosing various clippings; transcribing a letter by N.A. Gray about contraband letters. With several lines on page three written over in a second, darker hand.
GLC02166.033
August 15, 1862
Postscript to previous letter urging his wife to say nothing of his remarks regarding Mr. G___'s cause.
GLC02166.036
August 16, 1862
Concerns over correspondence; release of fellow inmate.
GLC02166.037
Rejoicing in news of her recovery; news of a POW exchange, with the dispersal of political prisoners to follow directly; advising his wife they will have to cross over into the Confederacy after his release.
GLC02166.042
August 23, 1862
Medical advice; hopes for release next week; news of liberation at other prisons; heavily censored letter from Eliza.
GLC02166.045
to Alfred Hughes
August 29, 1862
Grammer, J.E., fl. 1862
Advising him to write to Mssrs. Randall and Astin.
GLC02166.052
September 5, 1862
Letter from his daughter Mary; weather; sermon by Rev. Dr. Baldwin (one of the political prisoners from Louisville); medical advice.
GLC02166.060
September 6, 1862
Mail distribution; reaction to censorship by Prison Postmaster Tiffany; her eating habits; departure of POW's for exchange. With an autograph note signed by Tiffany on verso denying having mutilated Hughes' letter.
GLC02166.061
September 18, 1862
Child-rearing advice; thanking her for her efforts at home; requesting socks; enclosing two newspaper clippings about escapes from Camp Chase.
GLC02166.070
October 22,1862
Optimism for the future; advising her not to visit him in prison; distrusting the efforts of those outside to secure his release.
GLC02166.095
October 29, 1862
Requesting copies of the World; conversation with a fellow inmate regarding the Bible and their respective wives; speculation about how to secure a pass to Richmond.
GLC02166.102
November 2, 1862
Details of Judge Foster's release; shooting of a fellow prisoner after a fight broke out.
GLC02166.105
November 7, 1862
News of friends moving to the South.
GLC02166.109
February 19, 1864
He took a walk on the beach for the first time in a long time. The weather has been very cold.
GLC02167.15
18 May 1864
One of the Colonels placed a truce flag on enemy lines today. He heard that the left wing of Grant's army was whipped. 17,000 men were taken prisoner. He refers to Banks' defeat.
GLC02167.18
4 July 1864
They marched for three hours before coming to a house that had been used by the rebels as a picket post. Some of the men destroyed furniture they found in the house. It was very hot.
GLC02167.21
12 September 1864
He is glad for the news about Sherman's grip on Petersburgh Farragut. Though he thinks it is unwise to enlist men for one year. Lt. Lohiske has been sick but is getting better.
GLC02167.31
27 October 1864
The weather is unpleasant and he has not gotten much mail lately. In the future he says she should see an improvement in his letters.
GLC02167.34
to the Folks at home
School is going great and he loves boarding. All the food they sent has kept very well.
GLC02167.41
He heard that Charlie arrived in Sidney. He is now taking Jacob's cordial which is making him feel better. He is trying to get a cooking stove. He imagaines what they are doing.
GLC02167.47
circa May 14, 1866
He was admitted to the Angelica last night.
GLC02167.49
[In Memorium of Mary Jane Aldridge]
circa 1909
In memorium of Mary Jane Aldridge, printed. Includes a biographical sketch by her sister focusing on her humanitarian work and work with womens' groups.
GLC02167.62
[Deed of land]
Partially printed deed. Witter Johnston gives a piece of land to Mary Johnston for the sum of 2 dollars. This is the official deed outlining the agreement.
GLC02167.63
to Sisters
8 August 1863
Right now they drill for an hour and a half each day. They do a skirmish drill and a battalion drill. He describes each to his sisters. He was sorry to hear that his mother was sick. Gen. Rosy and Gen. Garfield stopped by.
GLC02169.05
circa 1861-1864
He tells them they should respect their brother who is fighting for their country and be good girls and mind their parents. There is talk of them leaving their present quarters and going to Kentucky or Tennessee.
GLC02169.10
24 June 1862
He likes being on guard because he gets to see the city. He wishes she could see it with him. They are having very easy times now.
GLC02170.10
December 1, 1862
The cold is as bad in the South as it is in the North. Nothing new is happening. A mutual friend of theirs is sick.
GLC02170.19
20 November 1863
He might get to come home in the winter. A fellow soldier who saw her picture has fallen in love with her.
GLC02170.32
to friend
8 January 1864
he heard from Jim. He has a Christmas gift for her. He got Jenny a silk apron for Christmas.
GLC02170.36
to C. Sciscoe (Kitty)
February 21, 1864
He would love to be home while Henry and J. are at homebut he is not sure now if he will actually get to come. He describes his surroundings as dry and there is hardly anything worth speaking about.
GLC02170.41
13 March 1864
Henry wrote to her that there was a party at their house recently and there were the prettiest girls he ever saw there.He tells Kitty that ladies like her who are looking to get married had better be looking around now.
GLC02170.43
4 June 1864
He has the chills. He is glad she is not taking the postponemnet of her school too hard. He does not expect he will get to come home any time soon. He tells her not to work too hard planting the corn.
GLC02170.48
21 August 1864
She is glad it makes him happy that she has embraced Christianity.
GLC02170.56
20 September 1864
He is thinking they should get married in the fall. But they will keep it a secret for now. He's afraid he will catch the "Fatal Disease" when he goes home but he has been exposed to most diseases in the army.
GLC02170.58
September 15, 1862
Boggs, W.W., fl. 1862
Forwarding personal effects so as not to let the "Yanks" get them.
GLC02166.066
September 10, 1862
His wife's overexertion; encouraging his daughter's study of music, and the proper conduct of all his other children; prescribing medicine for his wife; tales of wickedness and cruelty told in prison. With clippings from unidentified papers entitled...
GLC02166.062
June 20, 1862
Receipt of a package from home.
GLC02166.004
circa July 18, 1862
Gray, N.A., fl. 1862
Notification of censored correspondence.
GLC02166.020
August 3, 1862
"Dog days" of summer; uncomfortably hot conditions in prison (with pencil note from postal inspector: "Precisely the same quarters the Unions soldiers occupy.")
GLC02166.028
August 9, 1862
Mail received through Capt. Tiffany; worries about his wife's health.
GLC02166.031
August 28, 1862
Affectionate sentiments to his wife; advising her to take Belladonna for her ailments.
GLC02166.051
Issues at home; opinions about Mr. G___ [fellow inmate who took the oath in items #35-37] and his family.
GLC02166.053
August 30, 1862
Mail between Cincinnati, Columbus, and Wheeling; misinformation regarding page limits on outgoing letters; Eliza's use of the word "nervous."
GLC02166.054
September 4, 1862
Criticism of the war; sentimental thoughts about his children.
GLC02166.059
September 17, 1862
Plans to observe a day of prayer and thanksgiving set aside by President Davis; Rev. Dr. Ford; wealthy gentlemen among the prisoners brought from Martinsburg; taking of thirty prisoners by one man.
GLC02166.069
September 25, 1862
Receiving socks from his wife; dubious loyalty Judge Thompson; new bunkmate.
GLC02166.075
September 29, 1862
Looking on his imprisonment as the start of a new era in his life; lack of rain; proficiency in mending and darning clothing.
GLC02166.078
September 30, 1862
Words of encouragement to his wife; asking departing POW's to advocate the political prisoners' cause to Confederate authorities; talking with Rev. Dr. Baldwin about their wives; antidote for Delia.
GLC02166.079
October 7, 1862
Reading her letters aloud to Rev. Dr. Baldwin ; Judge Thompson's deception.
GLC02166.084
October 15, 1862
His wife again taking ill and news of her recovery; confidence in securing parole; plans to write to Judge Hitchcock about his case.
GLC02166.089
October 25, 1862
Satisfaction in his wife's handling of matters at home; his daily routine; prisoners' proficiency at cooking, sewing, washing, and ironing.
GLC02166.097
October 26, 1862
Change in weather and snowstorm during the night; complimenting her on her treatment of Judge Thompson.
GLC02166.099
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