03/27/1864

Bogart, Abram, fl. 1825-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary M. Bogart

Begins letter to his wife with a long ramble about love, "I write you not as one with out hope for as long as thare is life thare is hope that we may se each others faces again on earth for my faith is yet strong though my body is week yet through love am I strong to see my loved ones at home and I wish that my love would sing and learn my children to sing as I have heard them sing in my sleep a few nights ago..." Gives his opinion on the poor care that the sick and wounded soldiers receive. "For they write home of them that die here of haveing the best of attension and care when they think…

GLC03523.11.22

16 November 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Camp Richardson. States that he loves her very much and is glad she has regained much of her strength. Is extremely excited that she will soon be a mother. Notes that they have been out on a "tramp" after seeing the enemy. He states that 16,000 men and 12 cannons went out after the enemy. He visited "Pohick Church" which was built by Washington 88 years ago. Wilkinson then goes on to describe the dimensions and aesthetics of the building. Also adds that he sat in Washington's pew which he liked very much. Reports that an old slave told him that 600 of the enemy cavalry came through…

GLC03523.13.024

13 August 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Tells his wife that he is continually thinking of her, and that the thought of being with her again gives him courage. A young man whom his wife had written about in one of her letters was killed from a shot to the head in the 1st Michigan Infantry. Says that he has received a lot of papers from Wink, his sister. He is very glad that he did not bring her with him to the front.

GLC03523.13.010

4 October 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Understands his wife's sorrow in his absence. He hopes that when he returns he can live a comfortable life with her. Professes his love for her and his desire to be with her. Notes that he sent her 20 dollars and that he will send more soon; if they are paid on time. Thinks a great deal of his new officer. He notes that they are ready to march everyday and anxious to go out. Wilkinson does not wish to repeat the defeats of Bull Run and Lexington. Sends her a picture of himself.

GLC03523.13.019

20 October 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson and his mother

He has received a letter from his wife's mother that his wife is sick. He is greatly saddened to hear this and hopes she gets better. Wilkinson writes that her life is more precious then his and he wishes he were sick instead of her. Says that they marched with one day's rations and their blankets along the Potomac to Pohick Church. He then writes to his mother asking her to keep him informed of his wife's condition. If she gets worse he will try to return home. Hopes that his mother and her friends will take good care of his wife.

GLC03523.13.022

3 December 1861

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Camp of Michigan 2nd Regiment. Sends his wife 33 dollars. Writes that he is upset to hear is wife is so "blue" and not feeling well. Expresses that he will do anything to take care of her.

GLC03523.13.027

1 January 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Camp Michigan, Virginia. It is the first full year in which he can call her his wife. He is not sad that he has to send his money home. Notes that the other men spend most of their money and do not send it home. States that some of the married men do not show as much affection in their letters to their wives as he does. Writes that he needs his furlough signed and then he will hopefully be able to come home.

GLC03523.13.030

6 January 1862

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at Camp Michigan, Virginia. Writes that he is pleased his wife returned his letter so affectionately. Tells her that it is fine if she thinks him "foolish" for writing a love letter to her. Went to visit his friend at the hospital (he was shot in the face after Pohick Church was lost to the rebels on New Year's Day). Is unsure of the status of his furlough and unsure if he will be coming home. He says that this is also the case with many of the men and their furloughs.

GLC03523.13.031

1861-1865

Poem

Title: to Bell

Four line love poem to Bell lamenting being apart. Probably from Joseph Maitland.

GLC03523.10.252

4 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Notes that a year ago today he started for home. Writes how much he misses her and wishes he could be with her. Is thankful that God has continued to spare him through so many battles.

GLC03523.13.072

5 January 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he hopes she does not think his previous letter foolish for being a love letter. Thinks that most men give all their affection before marriage and then after marriage the wife is the one who professes affection. Enjoys the picture of the baby. Wants to know what his mother thinks of the baby. He has not been paid yet but expects to receive it soon. Thinks it is more honorable to earn a commission near the battlefield then to go home and get one. Hopes he will soon be made first lieutenant. States that he did not join the army to get promotions but to fight for his…

GLC03523.13.073

7 January 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where "about 1200 men" were stationed by the British, and the late night march to Princeton. Admits "we did not take them by surprise as at Trenton," because the British soldiers were already marching when the Continentals encountered them, whereas in Trenton they had been totally out of order. But still thinks the enemy "were as much asstonish'd as if…

GLC02437.00514

2 January 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to be with her, and hopes that he will have a chance at the end of winter. The men are fighting on past their enlistment dates and have "high spirits but want Rum and clothing." Informs her that he has been made Brigadier General over all artillery, which was "unsolicited on my part, tho' I cannot say unexpected." Says that people are too lavish in their praise of him, and that he possesses nothing more than industry and love of country. "War my Lucy is not a humane trade," and says the attack on Trenton damaged the residents there. Dated 1776, but written 1777.

GLC02437.00511

3 January 1777

Horton, Jotham, 1749-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that he and two other officers have smallpox, and asks if Knox can forward them "hard money" for "the Common Necessaries." Letter is dated 1776, but should be dated 1777. On the second page of the letteer is an unsigned Lucy Knox autograph letter to Henry Knox. In the draft she expresses her displeasure with Knox for not seeing him more often, but also her love for him.

GLC02437.00512

8 January 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

States that his other recent letter, probably GLC02437.00514, is not full of sentiment because its contents is of public importance and she might wish to show the letter to others. Says that, while there love is public, the full expressions of it need not be put in a letter that may be seen by strangers. Here he expressed the love for her that he did not in the previous letter. Hopes to be with her soon, and hopes for more letters. In a postscript advises her to sell the horses if she is in Boston, and in a note on the address leaf asks her to forward a letter for him. Dated 1776, but…

GLC02437.00516

6 April 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Loves her and acknowledges her letter. Tries to assuage her fears about the war, smallpox, and his distance from her. Assures her that "General Howe is not driving us thro' the Jersies into Pennsylvania." Discusses the character and rank of the recently arrived French officers. Says France will not enter the war, but will trade, "and will defend that Commerce by force." Is confident that Britain will try to disrupt this trade. Proclaims that he is sure it is "the Will of High Heaven that America should be great," and that is why "a powerful brave army...headed by a man of genius" does…

GLC02437.00566

31 March 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live. Decides to sell his horses to help William Knox raise money. Thinks Colonel Jackson can help with this, feels they are worth one hundred pounds, and hopes to sell them to a jockey named Cook.

GLC02437.00560

1 April 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his letter, which Samuel Shaw delivered. When she had not heard from him for two posts she began to worry. She loves him more than ever, and will send the goods he requested in his previous letter. Details her plans to be inoculated against smallpox. Had hoped to go to a hospital in Brookline, where Doctor Gardner promised he would see her every day. But this hospital is now perhaps going to be used only to inoculate soldiers. In that case she plans to go to a hospital in Salem. Wishes he had taken care of the business with Mr. Hichborn himself, and discusses other…

GLC02437.00562

January 10,1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Has just received her letter and assures her "my heart is yours although my Country demands my poor pittance to endevor to rescue her from barbarity." Feels this barbarity, exemplified by Indians slaughtering innocents, enslaved people killing their masters, and the general desolation caused by the Hessian mercenaries is all a result of British tyranny. Chastises the "boasted humanity of these people who calls themselves the mother Country!" Repeatedly expresses his love and longing for her. Warns her to "take care of your heart" with Colonel Stewart who will deliver this letter. States…

GLC02437.00517

April 31, 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Misses Henry, her husband. Gives details of her recent bout with smallpox, noting "I have more than two hundred of them- twenty in my face..." Notes that their daughter, Lucy, has one pox. Discusses the difficulty of hiring men and boys for assistance with chores, noting they are more apt to seek work in the ports. Complains of her current lodging, an officers room in a military barracks: "but a few rough plan was my guard from the weather... two soals [soles] of old shoes served for hinges to the door, on which was chalked- the cloven footed gentleman upon his head- in short I never was…

GLC02437.00582

1861-1865

Poem

Title: Lorena

A love poem, partially faded.

GLC03523.10.236

1861-1865

Poem

Title: [Love Poem]

A love poem, separated into seven sections.

GLC03523.10.231

1861-1865

Poem

Title: [Love Poem]

A love poem discussing separation, written by a man to a woman.

GLC03523.10.232

22 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses their recent exchange, noting that he had not received some of her letters due to the postman's mistake. Expresses how much he misses her, emphasizing that nothing but an obligation to his country could separate them. Mentions the threat posed by General John Burgoyne, stating that Lucy, in Boston, should "get a House in the Country as a Retreat." Can not assure Lucy regarding a possible visit due to the danger of the roads and the uncertainty of his location. In closing, notes "I shall always make it a rule to write you by the post, and expect the same from you."

GLC02437.00599

23 November 1815

Hewson, John, 1744-1821

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Lincoln

Saw Lincoln's daughter, who brought a letter from Lincoln in response to Hewson's of 4 July 1815. Glad that Lincoln enjoyed his last letter. Expresses joy that Lincoln might come to visit. Tells him his wife died on 30 September 1815 after a nine year battle with disease at the age of 64. Says he is relying on God to see him through this trial. Says she was his second wife, "a good & kind Mother to my five Motherless Children I had when we came together." They were married 41 years and says as she grew more infirm he grew to love her more. Says death did not "approach her as a King of…

GLC03849.03