Collection Search

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day, which has included a film on military discipline, another on "identification of aircraft", a two-hour drill, and a baseball game. Sidney addresses Estelle as his fiancée, and mentions that he has now become accustomed to...

GLC09120.089

to Estelle Spero

Diamond clarifies some points from earlier letters, defining what he means be a furlough and also explaining that the training that he had mentioned was referring to training in order to become a sergeant. Sidney describes the process that he has...

GLC09120.090

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that his company is now living in tents, and that he is to have classes every day in the officer candidate school (OCS). Sidney explains that from now on, he will have little time to write to Estelle, but that this does not reflect...

GLC09120.091

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that he is now sharing a tent with some veterans of the "Pearl Harbor affair", and speaks about the need to prevent "such barbaric gangsterism".

GLC09120.092

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for the brevity of the letter, explaining that he has a lot of studying to do. Sidney also mentions that life in the OCS is replete with rules and regulations.

GLC09120.093

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that four men have gone before the Battalion board and have been subsequently put on probation. He expresses worry about a chemical tactics test.

GLC09120.094

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes an episode of racial discrimination at a show sponsored by the Camel cigarette company. He informs Estelle that he has had three exams in the past week. He also relays a lecture that he has had on the clothing and equipment of an...

GLC09120.095

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has gotten down to a "pretty set schedule".

GLC09120.096

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has just received his report card for Block A. He describes exhibitions on flamethrowers and incendiary bombs that he has witnessed. He also relates going through a gas chamber and a chlorine gas chamber, for very...

GLC09120.097

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses with Estelle the advantages of matrimony. Sidney outlines his day - student presentations in the morning and an inspection in the afternoon. He also describes his accommodation which now constitutes a tent.

GLC09120.098

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit that he had received from his parents.

GLC09120.099

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses with Estelle an upcoming visit to New York. Sidney describes a minor accident that he was involved in.

GLC09120.100

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that he has two major exams looming - one on chemical agents and the other on material. Sidney describes the hectic two days that he has just had - a masked agent identification test, an afternoon spent firing FS smoke shells, a...

GLC09120.101

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they must remain "above petty jealousies".

GLC09120.102

to Estelle Spero

Sidney attempts to clear up a disagreement that the couple have had in their correspondence.

GLC09120.103

to Estelle Spero

Diamond outlines his day for Estelle - watching a series of films on defense against mechanized war agents, sitting through a lecture on sex hygiene, participating in a dismounted foot drill, two hours of instruction in basic signal communication...

GLC09120.104

to Estelle Spero

Diamond gives Estelle a description of an air raid alert.

GLC09120.105

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the train ride back from visiting Estelle, during which he sat next to a young NYU graduate who had been forced to move to Virginia to find work during the war

GLC09120.107

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit by South American dignitaries.

GLC09120.108

to Estelle Spero

Diamond pops into a Catholic church while in town in order to take a break. He writes to Estelle that, "while seated there, alone, in the strange hush that only religion can bring about, the thought of death overcame me." He then describes looking...

GLC09120.109

to Estelle Spero

Diamond hints to Estelle that the sweater that she has been knitting him would come in very handy in the cold weather.

GLC09120.110

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that his first choice of position in the military will be in the Air Service. He also warns Estelle that "[t]his is going to be a dull, dreary, bestial, cruel world when this conflict is over."

GLC09120.111

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has too little time to think out logical replies to her many and varied questions.

GLC09120.112

to Estelle Spero

Letter written while in a program and instruction class. Diamond gives Estelle a definition of the terms lecture, military training, policies, sanitation, scouting and patrolling and field fortifications. He also informs her that he has received...

GLC09120.113

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit to Baltimore that he had made the previous Saturday night. Sidney also mentions the "cracking tension" that he has been experiencing.

GLC09120.114

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that eighteen members of his platoon have been selected to go before the board, and of this number five to ten will be asked to resign. He also mentions the 60% casualty rate at the "Dieppe incident".

GLC09120.115

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a "Make the Boys Happy" show that had been performed for the troops in the Recreation Hall.

Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.116

to Estelle Spero

Diamond explains that, at this point, graduating candidates will be selected not only by their grades, but also personality.

GLC09120.117

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses Congress' contemplation to prohibit the sale of liquor near army posts.

GLC09120.118

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of going up for Board Review.

GLC09120.119

Newspaper Clipping, name of the newspaper not cited.

Article that must have been included in one of Diamond's letters to Estelle, entitled, "War-Model Love." With notes and much underlining.

GLC09120.120

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they had "lost" two more men that week due to the high expectations of the program. He then describes his morning - a two-hour long film on motor transportation followed by a one-hour test on the material contained in...

GLC09120.121

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received a demerit for having had dirty finger nails. He then describes to Estelle the experience of showering in the Army. Sidney tells Estelle that he has spent the morning listening to the Yiddish Shtunda...

GLC09120.122

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has already received two demerits so far that week - one for having left his footlocker unlocked, and one for having worn a field jacket to dinner. He then proceeds to complain about the cold weather, mentioning that...

GLC09120.123

to Estelle Spero

Diamond praises his parents, and speaks of his gratitude for all that they have done to help him. He also describes the night problem that is scheduled for Sunday.

GLC09120.124

to Estelle Spero

Diamond relays a debate that had taken place during the student presentations on the pros and cons of a soldier choosing to get married. He informs Estelle that he received his first mark below 80 (a 79 in chemical tactics), but that the rest of his...

GLC09120.125

to Estelle Spero

Letter written just after having visited Estelle, and Diamond writes of "the odor of [her] hair still playing with [his] senses". Diamond also talks about the "confusion of inefficiency" that reigns at home, as soon as the "men are gone".

GLC09120.126

to Estelle Spero

Diamond counts down until his graduation that is to take place on Saturday. He writes that of the 500 that started OCS training three months ago, only 350 will be graduating.

GLC09120.127

to Estelle Spero

Letter written during a study period, in which Diamond writes that they have just completed reviewing an entire year of chemistry in the space of four hours. Sidney has somewhat of a political disagreement with Estelle.

GLC09120.128

to Estelle Spero

Letter written while Diamond is in class, so it is interspersed with "items" from his class notes. He discusses smoke generators and the fact that classes are to grow progressively smaller due to the fact that many candidates do not manage to...

GLC09120.129

to Estelle Spero

(second page constitutes notes taken in a class, which are struck out). Diamond tells Estelle that things are moving too rapidly to think straight, with classes in law, tactics, communication and chemical tactics consuming all of his time.

GLC09120.130

notes from a class on chemical warfare

Handwritten notes on material learned in a class about chemical warfare. The end of the notes does seem to be addressed to Estelle, where he complains of having had a "bad case of the 'runs'".

GLC09120.131

to Estelle Spero

Letter written during a moot trial, which Diamond then proceeds to describe to Estelle. Sidney also gives Estelle samples of the questions that he was asked in his chemical tactics final.

GLC09120.132

to Estelle Spero

Letter written while the rest of Diamond's group is being subjected to mustard sensitivity tests. Sidney discusses with Estelle the possibility of obtaining a pass. He also explains to her the system of punishment in officer candidate school.

GLC09120.133

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for not having written for the past few days, explaining that he has been acting as cadet platoon leader. Sidney describes the night Reconnaissance Problem that he had been on the night before.

GLC09120.134

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he expects to be shipped before the week is up. Sidney tells Estelle that he hopes to be in New York on Saturday, and that he hopes that it is not too late to ask her out on a date on Sunday.

GLC09120.135

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is shipped at 7:25 A.M. the following morning. He states that two other men from his barracks will be on the same shipment - one for cavalry service, the other for the signal corps - but explains that he does not know...

GLC09120.136

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle about a recent visit to the "Casanova", a Mexican restaurant, where one of the dancers danced with him. Sidney also describes the process of crossing the Mexican border across the Santa Fe bridge..

GLC09120.137

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle his train journey down to Texas.

GLC09120.138

to Estelle Spero

Diamond briefly describes El Paso to Estelle.

GLC09120.139

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the trip down to Texas, in particular a stop-over in St. Louis.

GLC09120.140

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle a day spent in El Paso, during which he attended a bull fight.

GLC09120.141

to Estelle Spero

Diamond speaks of his belief in maintaining "the status-quo of the Americans." He also describes life as an officer - sentry visits etc

GLC09120.143

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having been "officer of the day" the day before - a job that entails supervision of the guard and battalion in general.

GLC09120.144

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his task for the whole week, and possibly the one after, as merely examining men trying for qualification in chemical warfare weapons, specifically in charge of testing men's ability to set up the Linen's Projector battery. He also...

GLC09120.145

to Estelle Spero

Diamond explains to Estelle that although El Paso is theoretically a "dry" town in that it is forbidden to serve mixed drinks there, it is full of liquor stores. So, soldiers in need of a drink merely buy the liquor, and then order the mixers...

GLC09120.146

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes attending a bull fight in El Paso.

GLC09120.147

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has just been made motor officer of the company, and explains what this position entails

GLC09120.148

to Estelle Spero

Letter in which Diamond portrays himself as a "Don Quixote".

GLC09120.149

to Estelle Spero

Short note in which Diamond informs Estelle that he is still confused.

GLC09120.150

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes carrying out a "shake-down" inspection - a process that results from a man claiming that some of his personal belongings have been stolen. Sidney responds to Estelle's claim that her uncle had encountered anti-Semitism in the army...

GLC09120.151

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle ways in which the police have tried to combat members of the armed forces visiting local prostitutes.

GLC09120.152

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle the process of learning how to drive a jeep. He discusses the various examinations that are due to take place in the camp, and the general feeling of confusion that exists.

GLC09120.153

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains that "work has been dragging on" and provides Estelle with his daily schedule.

GLC09120.154

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the gunners' exams are over, a test in which he himself got full marks.

GLC09120.155

to Estelle Spero

Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "junior phi-beta Kappa appointment". He tells her that his expert gunner exam is the following day.

GLC09120.156

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses his distress at having been asked to chaperone the soldiers' Christmas Eve party. He again describes his attempts at learning how to drive a jeep.

GLC09120.157

to Estelle Spero

Diamond speaks of the need to "end the war more quickly", so that the men who "appreciate liberty and freedom" can be returned to their families

GLC09120.159

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle the ways in which he celebrated Christmas.

GLC09120.160

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having conducted a military investigation

GLC09120.161

to James A. Washington

General Richard B. Garnett has ordered that Wortham's battalion move its position and await further orders. At bottom is an autograph note signed by Washington, to Wortham, reading "I will wait for you here. Come as quickly as possible. No news."...

GLC02233.20

to George Wortham

Ayers, searching for African-Americans with his cavalry, so far has "arrested but one negro...and he was not armed." Believes more are between Jamesville and Washington and will continue to search.

Excerpt: "…I have been driving faithfully all day...

GLC02233.41

to George Wortham

Van Hook has just learned that two hundred Union soldiers have landed at Bath and he is certain that they can be captured and their boats sunk. He asks Wortham to send his battery, two companies of infantry, and his company of cavalry to assist in...

GLC02233.45

[Official ordnance document]

Partially printed document, with printed signature. Treadwell, Captain of Ordnance, informs Captain Albert A. Day (Company K, 20th Michigan Infantry, 9th Corps) that his return of ordnance and ordnance stores for the fourth quarter of 1864 has been...

GLC02249.01

To the men under his command

Written aboard the flag steamer USS Philadelphia. General order, signed clerically, sent by Flag Officer Goldsborough as commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron thanking his men for a victory "worthy of yourselves and the sacred cause the...

GLC02252

[General Orders]

Announces that Commanding General Foster "is about to leave for a brief time the Gallant Soldiers and Sailors comprising this Garrison; Brigadier General Potter will remain in command." Mentions that Foster will be leaving "for the purpose of...

GLC02254.13

"To all whom it may concern"

Writes that although he had no order from R.T. Renshaw to burn a bridge at Little Washington, North Carolina, orders from Captain Graham led McKeever to "unhesitatingly say that I understood him to direct me to burn the Bridge." Signed by Mckeever...

GLC02254.36

to Henry Jackson Hunt

Refers to an unspecified Board, possibly related to Army Engineers. States that the Board should "assume the proper position [of?] the Engineers as an Army Service as well as an Administration branch of the Service for that would be in accordance...

GLC02382.046

[Form letter sent to United States Representatives requesting support of a bill regarding Henry Jackson Hunt's retirement]

Corbin relates "A Bill to give Brevet Major General Hunt, Colonel retired, the rank of Major General on the retired list is pending in the House of Representatives, of his long, faithful and distinguished service I will not speak... I in brief want...

GLC02382.124

to Samuel D. Ingham

Maswell updates Ingham on the status of a disputed sale. Clintock "obtained a rule of court upon our Sheriff to bring the money arising from the sale of the Hazelton Co's locomotives 'into court for distribution.'"

GLC02233.03

to Alexander W. Rowland

Hargrove, recruiting in Granville County, North Carolina, writes to a fellow infantryman regarding recruiting and "family" (possibly military company) affairs. Letter was initially sent in a letter to George Wortham, GLC02233.05, for forwarding to...

GLC02233.06

to George Wortham

Bradburn is unsure how many recruits he will be able to obtain. There is a camp of cavalry instruction at Ashville, and Bradburn suggests that Wortham come unless he is doing well in Greenville. "I have met with some incouragement but whether I can...

GLC02233.07

[Appoining Adam C. Bear a postmaster]

On Confederate States of America Post Office Department stationery.
Appointing Adam C. Bear as postmaster of the new Bon Air post office in Rockingham, Virginia. "Circular No. 8." printed at the top of the document.

B. N. Clements was chief of the...

GLC02233.09

[Petition asking George Wortham to resign his command]

Written by Landis, an officer under Wortham's command, and signed by over fifty members of the company. Docket, in Wortham's hand, states the petition was "Got up by Lieut Landis (who wished promotion) during my absence and disavowed by all but...

GLC02233.11

[Commissioning George Wortham as Major]

Commissioning George Wortham as a major of the Fiftieth Regiment of North Carolina Infantry. Also signed by Clark's private secretary, P. Cowker, and Adjutant General J.G. Medutin.

Henry T. Clark was the governor of North Carolina.

GLC02233.13

[Court Martial proceedings in the case of W. H. Hutson for being absent without leave]

Details the trial and conviction of Hutson for the charge of "absence without leave." Records specifics of the charge, testimony from the trial, and resulting sentence. Hutson was sentenced to carry a twenty pound stick eight hours a day for sixteen...

GLC02233.26

[Telegraph to James G. Martin]

Manuscript copy of a telegraph sent to Brigadier James G. Martin ordering "the execution of privates William Leggett & Canada Barnes...suspended until further notice." Docket contains autograph endorsement signed by Charles Grice Elliot, Martin's...

GLC02233.33

[List of items received belonging to Fort Shannon]

List of ordnance arrived, including various types of cannon, and shells, powder, fuses, and other items.

GLC02233.36

[Court martial proceedings against Wilson Bradley for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline]

Records specifics of the charge, testimony from the trial, and Bradley's acquittal. Signed by Atkinson and Borden.

GLC02233.37.02

[Court martial proceedings against Canada Barnes and P. Waters for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline]

Records specifics of the charges, testimony from the trials, and the acquittal of both men. Signed twice by Atkinson and Borden.

GLC02233.37.07

to George Wortham

Rather than have his two captured enslaved people return home, Williams wants them to work for the Confederacy. He would prefer they be shot rather than fall into Yankee hands again. Suggests one would make a good servant for Wortham. Written at the...

GLC02233.39

[Pass for J.A. Lloyd to pass through the picket lines for one month]

Permitting J. A. Lloyd, a local resident of Plymouth, to pass through the picket lines for one month. Printed on back of map fragment.

GLC02233.43

to George Wortham

Cherry has convinced three deserters to return to the army, and hopes Wortham will grant them permission to fight. Attests that they have good character, and only deserted to escape being captured by the Union. Accompanied by blank page of stationery...

GLC02233.50

to George Wortham

A list of sixteen prisoners to be sent to Goldsboro, with their names, ranks and charges against them listed. Includes "Prisoners confined in jail & charges against them…."

GLC02233.54

Three calling cards + envelope:

St. Paul's Church, ; Joseph Cox, Monument St.; and Miss Louisa Gittings

GLC02234.43

Two cards with pressed flowers commemorating the baptisms of Thomas and William Hall; with envelope.

GLC02234.44

to Robert M. T. Hunter

Writes as a prisoner of war and requests Confederate Senator Hunter's help in getting out of prison. " ... McLean has called upon me to-day, with the generous proffer of an endeavour to procure my release. Will you contribute to that object? I am...

GLC02236

to My Dear Father

Campbell, a Confederate general taken as a prisoner of war, writes from prison at Johnson's Island. Mentions suffering and deprivation due to the poor conditions and requests clothing. " ... Send me a suit of winter clothes with change of many...

GLC02237

to Jane Johnson

Writes to his wife as a captured Confederate prisoner of war in Salisbury, North Carolina. Tells her about the situation in Maryland, their home state. "From what I hear you can hardly get to Maryland now. You ought not to go if in so doing you...

GLC02239

Plan of Andersonville Prison

Plan of the prison camp drawn by Sneden, a member of the 40th New York Volunteers imprisoned there in 1863-1864. Completed in ink and colored pencil. Sneden's map differs from other contemporary sketches.

GLC02244